Two late released 2010s include the 2010 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Trois Cepages, an equal part blend of Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah. It is a deep, structured effort revealing an impressively saturated dark ruby/plum/purple color in addition to abundant aromas of black currants, cherries, licorice, truffles and earth. Drink it over the next 5-6 years.
One of the finest estates in the southern Rhone for their selection of Cotes du Rhone-Villages and, more recently, Rasteau, is this biodynamically farmed estate of Helene and Daniel Boulle in Travaillan. These wines first came to my attention with the 1999 vintage, and after a choppy period a decade or so ago, the last few vintages have been very promising. The number of cuvees produced can vary, but in 2011, there are four cuvees of Cotes du Rhone-Villages plus an old vine Rasteau made from vines planted in 1921.
Importer: Peter Weygandt, Weygandt-Metzler, Unionville, PA; tel. (610) 486-0800