Earthy overtones join black cherries on the nose of the 2019 Cotes du Rhone Vieilles Vignes. Certified organic, it's full-bodied and sturdy, with ample concentration and power, intense blackberry and black cherry flavors and some dusty tannins on the licorice-tinged finish.

A terrific wine, the 2015 C?tes du Rh?ne Vieilles Vignes is about as Proven?al as they come with lots of kirsch and darker berry fruits, pepper and wild herbs. It has medium to full-bodied richness, a supple texture and no hard edges, and it’s a no brainer purchase to enjoy over the coming 4-5 years.

A terrific C?tes du Rh?ne Villages, the 2014 C?tes du Rh?ne Vieilles Vignes has lots of Proven?al charm, as well as notes of sweet black cherries, garrigue and leather. It shows the savory, dry tannic edge that’s present in a lot of the 2014s, but it has real character and I’d pour another glass. The blend is 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, completely destemmed and aged all in concrete tanks.

Both the 2011 Cotes du Rhone Vieilles Vignes and 2011 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Vieilles Vignes exhibit lots of kirsch, peppery, meaty notes with some Provencal bouquet garni nuances, medium body and silky smooth textures. Both are best consumed over the next 1-3 years. Importers: David Hinkle, North Berkeley Imports, Oakland, CA; tel. (510) 336-9880 and Village Wine Imports, New York, NY; tel. (212) 673-1056

The delicious 2009 Cotes du Rhone Vieilles Vignes (which I also reviewed last year), a blend of 85% Grenache and the rest Syrah and Mourvedre, offers lots of kirsch, strawberry, herb, pepper and spice characteristics. Importers: David Hinkle, North Berkeley Imports, Oakland, CA; tel. (510) 336-9880 and Village Wine Imports, New York, NY; tel. (212) 673-1056