The seductive, sweet black raspberry, boysenberry and lavender characteristics of the dense purple-hued 2009 Vacqueyras Les Truffieres (60% Grenache and 40% Syrah) are enthralling. The intense fragrance is followed by a full-bodied, pure, beautifully textured, gorgeously proportioned wine that should drink well for a decade. Domaines des Amouriers, owned by the Chudzikiewicz family, has been one of the most reliable and consistent producers of top-flight Vacqueyras for many years. They have a total of 75 acres of vines of which 37 are in Vacqueyras, an up-and-coming appellation increasingly prized for consistency and high quality. Importers: J & R Selections, Lansing, MI; tel. (517) 393-4441; Robert Kacher Selections, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 832-9083; David Vincent Selections, NJ; and J and J Importers, Bloomfield Hills, MI; tel. (248) 528-9463

A new cuvee and late-released is the 2006 Vacqueyras Truffiere. Only 150 or so cases of this wine were made, produced from equal parts Syrah and Grenache and, unlike the other cuvees, aged in a combination of both barrel and foudre. This is a very impressively endowed wine, with a deep plum/purple color and a big, sweet nose of smoked game, soy, blackberry, licorice, and incense. It is full-bodied, rich, and if it this good in 2006, I’ll be anxious to taste the 2007 when it is released next year. Consistently top-flight Vacqueyras, there are now three cuvees of Vacqueyras as well the 100% Syrah vin de pays Les Hautes Terraces being produced at Domaine des Amouriers. Importer: J & J Importers, Lansing, MI; info@jjimporters.com