The 2009 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Rasteau Vieilles Vignes (60% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, and 10% Syrah) includes a much higher percentage of Mourvedre than most wines in this area. Its deep ruby/purple hue is followed by notes of freshly sliced mushrooms, meat juices, garrigue, black cherries, and black currants. Full-bodied and intense with rugged tannins that need to be resolved, it possesses more than ample fruit to balance out the structural component. This 2009 will benefit from another year of bottle age, and should drink well for 7-8 years. The three outstanding Rasteaus reveal a lot more body as well as the classic character that comes from this sun-drenched hillside village. Importer: Peter Weygandt, Weygandt-Metzler, Coatesville, PA; tel. (610) 486-0800; fax (610) 486-6452