The 2014 Cotes du Rhone Rasteau Vieilles Vignes (60% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah) is another beautiful wine from this estate. Ripe, rounded, medium to full-bodied and with sweet tannin, it offers the classic spice, peppery herbs, dark fruit and licorice aromas and flavors that are common from this appellation. It should drink well for 5-8 years.

The 2013 Cotes du Rhone Villages Rasteau Vieilles Vignes is a rock solid effort that shows the more pretty, medium-bodied, elegant style of the vintage. Made from 60% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah, with ample garrigue, sappy underbrush, violets and floral aromas and flavors, it has nicely integrated acidity and fine tannin. It will drink well for 7-8 years.

The least expensive release and a blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah, the 2012 Rasteau Vieilles Vignes is the most approachable and supple of the lineup. Possessing medium to full-bodied richness and sweet tannin, with a beautiful melange of blackcurrants, pot roast, chocolate and earthy aromas and flavors, it has outstanding potential and should be ready to go on release. These are serious, structured efforts that have some tannin to integrate. While the base Vieilles Vignes cuvee is relatively approachable on release, the estate upper-tier Saint Martin and Florianaelle releases will require patience. The 2012s are solid across the board, yet also possess surprisingly firm, tannic profiles that will benefit from short-term cellaring. Importer: Peter Weygandt, Weygandt-Metzler, Unionville, PA; tel. (610) 486-0800

This excellent estate consistently makes fine wines. Their 2011 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Rasteau Vieilles Vignes is a blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah from 60 to 90-year-old vines planted on the rocky, windswept hillsides of Rasteau. Three-fourths is aged in stainless steel tanks and the rest in larger demi-muids. An inky/purple color is followed by aromas of white chocolate, espresso roast, asphalt, creosote, blackberries and blueberries. This dense, fruit-laden, full-bodied, opulent, unctuously textured Rasteau is a brilliant success in this vintage. It should continue to drink well for 5-8 years. Importer: Weygandt-Metzler, Unionville, Pennsylvania at 610-486-0700 and fax 610-486-6452; www.weygandtmetzler.com

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