In bottle, the 2015 C?tes du Rh?ne is another fine wine from this estate that’s a perfect mid-week drinker. Strawberries, cherries, rose petals and some herbal notes all emerge from this medium-bodied, lightly textured and balanced effort.

Simian's 2011 Cotes du Rhone is fruity, fresh, medium-bodied and spicy. This tiny 10-acre estate run by Jean-Pierre Serguier produces 1,500 cases of Chateauneuf du Pape and around 350 cases of their super, old vine cuvee, Les Grandes Grenachieres d-Hippolyte, which is made from 85-year-old vines. These traditionally-made cuvees are aged in foudre or old barrels. Serguier has been managing this estate since 1981, although it dates from 1920. One of the few domaines that is outside of the Chateauneuf du Pape appellation, Simian is located in the garlic capital of France, the tiny village of Piolenc, a 10-minute drive from the village of Chateauneuf du Pape. Importer: Total Wine & More, Potomac, MD; tel. (301) 795-1080

The straightforward, medium dark ruby-hued, mid-weight 2010 Cotes du Rhone exhibits tart strawberry, sweet and sour cherry, foresty and roasted herb notes. It is best consumed over the next 1-2 years. This tiny 10-acre estate, run by Jean-Pierre Serguier, produces very good as well as reasonably priced wines. Their ancient vine cuvee, Les Grandes Grenachieres d’Hippolyte was first produced from 80-year-old vines in 2007 (and an amazing wine it is!). Not surprisingly, the 2010s reveal the paradoxical character of this vintage being high in acidity and fresh, but also possessing terrific ripeness, power, depth and intensity. It is an unusual vintage in that it has both high acidity and high alcohol, two characteristics normally not found together. No known American importer.

The 2004 Cotes du Rhone shows tart sweet-and-sour cherry notes in an elegant, medium-bodied style with a crisp, straightforward finish. It should be drunk over the next 1-2 years. Importer: Grail Wines Selections" http://www.grailwineselections.com/ , 707-253-9109