Far better is the 2010 Cornas Les Grands Muriers, which offers plenty of attractive black fruit, new saddle leather, spring flower and damp earth characteristics. (Not yet released)If the turn around in quality of the Paul Jaboulet-Aine wines is the biggest good news story of qualitative improvement in the northern Rhone, what Michel Chapoutier has accomplished with Ferraton is a close second. This is definitely a name to be taken seriously, as Chapoutier has expanded the portfolio and continues to upgrade the quality across the board. Ferraton’s 2009s and 2010s are the finest wines made to date. There appears to be three levels of quality now being produced, beginning with the generic bottlings, to the single vineyard (or lieu-dit) offerings, followed by the top of the line, more expensive, limited production efforts called selections parcellaires.Importer: A French Paradox, Peoria, IL; tel. (309) 682-8994

Hints of ripe figs, blackberries, blue fruits, charcoal and damp earth are present in the dark purple-hued 2009 Cornas Les Grands Muriers. This is a classic, old style Cornas with relatively civilized tannins as well as impressive purity. Consume it over the next 10 years. (Not yet released)Ferraton’s parent company, Chapoutier, has done an excellent job in St.-Peray working with Marsanne and Roussanne. This long-forgotten appellation may turn out to be the Northern Rhone’s white wine answer to Burgundy’s Chablis. As for the 2009 red wines, this is the best portfolio of dry red wines Ferraton has yet produced.Importer: A French Paradox, Peoria, IL; tel. (309) 682-8994

The similarly-styled, fruity, straightforward, crisp, tart, dark ruby/purple-colored 2007 Cornas Les Grands Muriers is civilized and elegant for a Cornas, with none of the rusticity or massiveness that many wines from this appellation possess. It should drink well for 5-8 years. (Not yet released)Owned by Michel Chapoutier, Ferraton has been a solidly reliable, if uninspiring producer until the last several vintages. A few years ago, the Chapoutier team decided to push for maximum quality at this estate, and as a result, the finest wines to emerge thus far are the 2006s, followed by the 2007s. Moreover, prices remain extremely fair as the world marketplace has not yet recognized the rise in quality of Ferraton wines. The white wines performed strongly. Ferraton also produces some single vineyard red and white offerings called Selection Parcellaires. These are the finest wines I have yet tasted from this estate. The 2007 single vineyard reds are slightly lighter and more finesse-styled, with more noticeable acidity. Kudos to Michel Chapoutier and the team at Ferraton for fashioning what are clearly their finest wines to date.Importer: A French Paradox, Peoria, IL; tel. (309) 682-8994