Another decent value to look for is the Vin de Pays 2009 and 2010 Les Plans, made from mostly Grenache with a little Syrah and Mourvedre from outside the appellation, thus the Vin de Pays designation. The 2009 is slightly better than the 2010, which seems a little austere and tart compared to the supple, fleshlier, berry-fruited 2009. Both wines are meant to be drunk uncritically in a brasserie/bistro.One of the long-time benchmarks for superb Gigondas is Yves Gras’ estate on the high plateau several kilometers outside the entrance to this old Roman village. He has also expanded into the negociant end of the business with his Santa Duc Selections, which are very reliable wines worth a serious look. Until 2007, there were consistently two cuvees of Gigondas made in top vintages. With the finest vintages, Gras has now added a 100% Grenache cuvee called Grand Grenache 66, from a tiny parcel of vines and essentially just one small foudre. Turning back to the basic wines, they offer good value and are top-flight wines. The newest baby for Yves Gras comes from his purchase of 1.23 hectares (essentially about 3+ acres) of old vines planted with 100% Grenache in the Chateauneuf du Pape lieu-dit in the very north known as Font du Loup.Importer: Robert Kacher Selections, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 832-9083