A serviceable rose that seems a tad off, the 2012 Rose Cotes du Rhone offers up plenty of watermelon and herb notes as well as a crisp palate and a synthetic finish. Although not my favorite, it would certainly work in a pinch. Drink now. Importer: Weygandt-Metzler; tel. (610) 486-0700

Things get more serious with the 2010 Cotes du Rhone, a blend of 80% Grenache and the rest Carignan and Mourvedre from 45 year old vines. It offers a dense ruby/purple color along with strawberry and raspberry fruit, good acidity, lots of earth, pepper and spice, and a medium-bodied mouthfeel. This elegant cuvee tastes as if it were a good-sized Pinot Noir given its crunchy acids. Enjoy it over the next 3-4 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

The delicious, floral-scented, light salmon-colored 2009 Cotes du Rhone Rose is extremely perfumed, but it does not possess as much body as many other southern Rhone roses, no doubt because the largest component in the blend is Cinsault (60%). However, that varietal does provide an exceptional bouquet to this light-bodied, dry, zesty offering. Enjoy 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

From this bio-dynamically farmed, brilliantly run estate owned by Daniel Boulle, the light salmon-colored 2008 Cotes du Rhone Rose is a blend of 60% Cinsault, and the rest Grenache, Counoise, and Mourvedre. Displaying fresh aromas of strawberries, earth, and spice, good acidity, medium body, loads of fruit, and a dry style, it is a delectable rose to drink over the next 6-9 months. Importer: Peter Weygandt, Weygandt-Metzler, Coatesville, PA; tel. (610) 486-0800