The 2015 C?tes du Rh?ne Villages Cuvee Philippine (60/40 Grenache and Syrah aged in tank) is a rich, ripe, medium to full-bodied red that has a 2010 level of purity and polish. Black raspberries, cassis, toasted spice and licorice all emerge from the glass, and it has ripe, chewy tannin. Give it a year and drink through 2025.

The 2014 C?tes du Rh?ne Villages Cuvee Philippine is the same wine as the Gabrielle, only aged all in tank whereas the Gabrielle is aged in barrel. Similar in quality, with jammy black raspberry and blackberry fruits, underbrush, spring flowers and garrigue, it’s medium to full-bodied, pure, textured and loaded with character. It too will drink nicely for 4-5 years.

A blend of 55% Grenache, 40% Syrah and a splash of Carignan that was brought up all in tank, the inky colored 2013 C?tes du Rh?ne Villages Cuvee Philippine has fabulous essence of blackberry-like fruit to go with lots of crushed, peppery ground herbs, underbrush and crushed rock. Shockingly good in the vintage with medium to full-bodied richness, solid mid-palate depth and a great finish, drink it over the coming 4-6 years.

The 2010 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Cuvee Philippine is composed of equal parts Syrah and Grenache blended with 15% Carignan from 12-80 year old parcels. Bottled unfiltered, it exhibits an opaque purple color along with a deep nose of black currants, black cherries, licorice and lavender. Complex, medium to full-bodied, rich and dense, it is a heck-of-a-bargain that should drink nicely for 3-4 years. I tasted three early release 2010 red wines (which appears to be another terrific vintage in the southern Rhone). All three exhibits lots of color, extract and richness as well as fresh acids and sweet tannin. Moreover, they appear to be more ageworthy than the early maturing, but seductive 2009s. Importer: Peter Weygandt, Weygandt-Metzler, Unionville, PA; tel. (610) 486-0800

I also enjoyed the medium-bodied 2009 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Cuvee Philippine, a blend of 50% Grenache, 35% Syrah, and the rest Mourvedre and Carignan. A slightly more earthy effort, it reveals an autumnal/vegetative character intermixed with notions of black cherries and black currants, outstanding ripeness, and more structure, but less charm than its sibling. It tips the scales at 15% natural alcohol, which gives you an idea of just how powerful the 2009 vintage appears to be. This wine will be even better with another 6-12 months of bottle age, and should drink nicely for 3-4 years. Readers may recall that this estate turned out terrific 2007s, and their bevy of impressive 2009s comes close to matching that success. Importer: Peter Weygandt, Weygandt-Metzler, Coatesville, PA; tel. (610) 486-0800; fax (610) 486-6452