Looking awfully good, this 2017 Cotes du Rhone Villages is a delicious vat-aged blend of 50% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 15% each Carignan and Mourvèdre. It's peppery and intense, with blueberry, black cherry and raspberry notes, ample weight and ripeness on the palate and a rich, velvety texture that lingers on the finish.

A consistent crowd-pleaser, the 2016 Cotes du Rhone Villages is the usual blend of 50% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 15% each Carignan and Mourvèdre. Garrigue notes accent dusty black cherries in this medium to full-bodied wine that's plush and velvety in feel. Licorice notes chime in on the long, silky-textured finish. It should drink well through 2024.

The 2015 C?tes du Rh?ne Villages (60% Grenache and 40% Syrah) has already been bottled and offers terrific notes of blueberries, blackberries, peppery herbs and leather in its medium-bodied, juicy and lively style. It has bright acidity, lots of fruit and a good finish. I think it’s a step back from the Jules Rochebonne release, but it’s still a rock-solid, delicious C?tes du Rh?ne to enjoy over the coming 3-4 years.

Another good effort is the 2014 C?tes du Rh?ne Villages. A blend of 50% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 15% each of Mourvèdre and Carignan, this medium-bodied, supple and juicy effort offers plenty of savory black cherry, kirsch and spice-like aromas and flavors. Like with the Jules Rochebonne, the tannin needs more ripeness. Drink it over the coming 2-4 years.

Moving to the reds, the 2013 C?tes du Rh?ne Village is impressive. Ripe, textured and pure, it’s loaded with peppery dark fruits and has sweet tannin emerging on the finish. Made from 50% Grenache, 20% Syrah and the balance Carignan and Mourvedre, it’s high-quality stuff worth checking out.