The C?tes du Rh?nes in the vintage continue to impress and the 2015 C?tes du Rh?ne from Saint Siffrein (80% Grenache and 20% Syrah) is a peppery, black fruit, leather and garrigue-scented effort that has medium-bodied richness and sweet tannin. It will drink nicely over the coming 3-4 years.

The 2014 C?tes du Rh?ne Villages is solid and offers lots of Proven?al charm in its licorice, pepper and jammy fruit-driven personality. Raised all in stainless steel, drink this unoaked, classical C?tes du Rh?ne over the coming 2-3 years.

In addition to his Chateauneuf du Papes, he also releases a rock-solid Cotes du Rhone Villages. A blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah the spent 4 months in stainless steel, the 2012 Cotes du Rhone Villages is a classic, traditional effort with its ground herbs, pepper, dark fruit and background meatiness. Medium-bodied, rich and nicely textured, it should drink nicely for 3-5 years. Drink now-2018. These are solid, very well-made wines by Proprietor Claude Chastan. Covering roughly 35 acres in Chateauneuf du Pape, this estate lies mostly in the northwestern portion of the appellation. Various American importers, including J A O Wine Imports, McLean, VA; tel. (703) 848-2473; European Wine Import, Cleveland, OH; tel. (216) 426-0980, and Vintage Wine Marketing, Napa, CA; www.vintagewinemarketing.com

I also enjoyed the bargain-priced 2009 Cotes du Rhone-Villages. It reveals a dark ruby hue as well as plenty of Grenache character with its spice box, tobacco leaf, pepper, black cherry and garrigue notes. Medium to full-bodied, elegant and pure, it can be enjoyed over the next 2-3 years. Saint-Siffrein’s gregarious, tall, lean proprietor, Claude Chastan, is a Jimmy Stewart look-alike. From his 35 acres of vines he has been producing very fine Chateauneuf du Papes over recent years. Various American importers, including J A O Wine Imports, McLean, VA; tel. (703) 848-2473; European Wine Import, Cleveland, OH; tel. (216) 426-0980, and Vintage Wine Marketing, Napa, CA; www.vintagewinemarketing.com

A sleeper of the vintage, the 2007 Cotes du Rhone-Villages possesses excellent notes of kirsch liqueur, licorice, smoked herbs, and a meaty note. With abundant body and fruit as well as terrific purity and texture, it should drink well for 2-3 years. This is a strong trio of Chateauneuf du Papes from proprietor Claude Chastan. Various American importers, including: J A O Wine Imports, McLean, VA; tel. (703) 848-2473; European Wine Import, Cleveland, OH; tel. (216) 426-0979; Canon de Colorado, Greenwood Village, CO; tel. (303) 721-8678; and Vintage Wine Marketing, Napa, CA; www.vintagewinemarketing.com