The red wines begin with their least expensive offering, the 2012 Vin de Pays, a blend of 40% Syrah, 30% Merlot and 30% Grenache, all aged in tank. A Southern Rhone fruit bomb, it exhibits lots of berry fruit, soft tannins, a silky, round, generous mouthfeel and plenty of hedonism. Drink it over the next year. Along with Peter Weygandt, I coincidentally discovered this fine estate with the release of their 1999s. Proprietor Daniel Boulle has done brilliant work over the last decade plus, and now works with the talented Philippe Cambie as his oenologist. The wines continue to go from strength to strength, including these less expensive offerings. If you haven’t familiarized yourself with Domaine Les Aphillanthes, it’s time to do so. Importer: Weygandt-Metzler, Unionville, Pennsylvania at 610-486-0700 and fax 610-486-6452; www.weygandtmetzler.com

The 2011 Vin de Pays, a blend of 40% Syrah, 40% Merlot and 20% Grenache, is a straightforward, fruity, medium-bodied, fresh red made in a pure, delicious style. Drink it over the next year. One of the finest estates in the southern Rhone for their selection of Cotes du Rhone-Villages and, more recently, Rasteau, is this biodynamically farmed estate of Helene and Daniel Boulle in Travaillan. These wines first came to my attention with the 1999 vintage, and after a choppy period a decade or so ago, the last few vintages have been very promising. The number of cuvees produced can vary, but in 2011, there are four cuvees of Cotes du Rhone-Villages plus an old vine Rasteau made from vines planted in 1921. Importer: Peter Weygandt, Weygandt-Metzler, Unionville, PA; tel. (610) 486-0800

Readers looking for a sensational party wine that represents great value should check out the 2010 Vin de Pays, an unfiltered blend of 40% Merlot, 30% Syrah and 30% Grenache. An exuberant, explosively fruity bouquet of sweet cherries, strawberries and black fruits is followed by a round, sexy, fresh, lively, medium-bodied wine with no hard edges. Drink this silky, quasi-fruit bomb over the next several years. In 1999, I discovered one of the finest estates in the southern Rhone, the Domaine Les Aphillanthes owned by Daniel Boulle. His oenologist is none other than Philippe Cambie and his commitment to quality is evidenced by the fact that he refused to bottle any 2008s. Following that troublesome year, Boulle has produced some impressive 2009s and 2010s. This is a certified organically managed vineyard with practices increasingly moving toward biodynamic.Importer: Peter Weygandt, Weygandt-Metzler, Unionville, PA; tel. (610) 486-0800

Composed of nearly equal parts Merlot, Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre, the 2009 Vin de Pays is dominated by its berry fruit, but it also offers notions of earth, spice box, and tobacco leaf. Drink it over the next year. I have been following this estate for a decade and except for a few hiccups in 2002 and 2003, it has consistently turned out fine wines. Moreover, since Philippe Cambie was brought in as the consulting oenologist, it has become even more reliable.Importer: Peter Weygandt, Weygandt-Metzler, Coatesville, PA; tel. (610) 486-0800; fax (610) 486-6452

A blend of Syrah, Merlot, and Grenache, the 2007 Vin de Pays possesses straightforward, crunchy, chunky, juicy notes of kirsch, black currants, licorice, and loamy soil undertones. This fresh, lively, bistro-styled red sells for a song. Consume it over the next year. Importer: Peter Weygandt, Weygandt-Metzler, Coatesville, PA; tel. (610) 486-0800