The 2010 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Cuvee Philippine is composed of equal parts Syrah and Grenache blended with 15% Carignan from 12-80 year old parcels. Bottled unfiltered, it exhibits an opaque purple color along with a deep nose of black currants, black cherries, licorice and lavender. Complex, medium to full-bodied, rich and dense, it is a heck-of-a-bargain that should drink nicely for 3-4 years. I tasted three early release 2010 red wines (which appears to be another terrific vintage in the southern Rhone). All three exhibits lots of color, extract and richness as well as fresh acids and sweet tannin. Moreover, they appear to be more ageworthy than the early maturing, but seductive 2009s. Importer: Peter Weygandt, Weygandt-Metzler, Unionville, PA; tel. (610) 486-0800