Two good value picks from Marcoux include the 2007 Cotes du Rhone, a combination of 97% Grenache and 3% Mourvedre and Cinsault. It offers deep black cherry fruit, roasted herb, and loamy soil characteristics presented in a medium-bodied, juicy, elegant format. Enjoy it over the next 2-3 years. I’m always interested in what sisters Sophie and Catherine Armenier are doing at this biodynamically farmed vineyard, one of my favorite estates. Not surprisingly, they have produced extraordinary wines in 2007 as well as 2006s that are nearly as good. As most vignerons do, the Armeniers attribute the greatness of the 2007 vintage to both the drought that lasted from late spring through the end of September as well as the cooler than normal temperatures that were followed by three weeks of ferocious Mistral winds in September. Without any serious heat spikes, the Mistral seemed to concentrate the grapes, with the cooler weather causing very intense aromatics. Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565