The 2009 Syrah l'Ame Soeur VDP reveals great complexity with notes of lard, licorice, bay leaf, black raspberries and black currants. It possesses an expansive, savory mouthfeel, supple tannins, beautiful elegance and a style that could easily pass for a Cote Rotie in a blind tasting. This beauty should drink well for 7-8 years. This up and coming area of Seyssuel now has over 13 vignerons working on about 100 acres of vines. Ogier's wines just keep getting better and better, so if you haven-t yet jumped on the Ogier bandwagon, it's time to do so. Michel Ogier, and more recently his son, Stephane, are the leading craftsmen in terms of wines from the steep hillsides north of the old Roman town of Vienne. These are still entitled to only a VDP designation, but current vintages are the finest he has yet produced.Importer: Robert Kacher Selections, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 832-9083