The 2010 Cotes du Rhone Red is composed of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. Soft, round and straightforward, it is an inexpensive quaffing wine meant to be drunk over the next year. Importer: Langdon-Shiverick, Los Angeles, CA; tel. (213) 483-5900

Given the brilliance of this estate’s Chateauneuf du Papes, it is not surprising that they have also turned out a delicious, attractive, elegant, deep, berry fruit-filled 2007 Cotes du Rhone. With a velvety texture as well as wonderful length for a wine of this pedigree, it can be enjoyed over the next 1-2 years. Readers would be hard-pressed to find a better portfolio of 2006 Chateauneuf du Papes than this one produced by the Lancon family at Domaine de la Solitude. This historic Chateauneuf du Pape estate went through a period of mediocrity, but recently, spectacular wines have been created from their sensational old vine holdings throughout the appellation. There are now four cuvees, with the regular Chateauneuf du Pape a blend of 50% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 15% Cinsault, and the balance Mourvedre, aged 80% in tank and 20% in barrel. The Cuvee Barberini is composed of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah aged in tank (65%) and small barrels (35%). As for the Reserve Secrete, it is 65% Grenache and 35% Syrah aged in small barrels (60%) and tank (40%). The newest offering, the Cornelia Constanza, is 100% Grenache aged in tank (95%) and barrel (5%). All of the fruit emerges from the estate’s large holdings of red wines in one of the most favored and renowned sectors of Chateauneuf du Pape – La Crau.Importer: David Shiverick, Los Angeles, CA; tel. (213) 483-5900