The pretty, elegant and ruby/plum-colored 2013 Cote Rotie (there's 10% Viognier in the blend) offers perfumed notes of black cherries, currants, spring flowers and licorice in a medium-bodied, supple, forward and endearing style. While already hard to resist -- the bottle will be empty before you know it -- it should evolve nicely on its balance over the coming 5-8 years.

The dark plum/purple-hued 2011 Cote Rotie offers lovely aromas of roasted herbs, spring flowers, smoky black cherries and raspberries along with medium body, attractive elegance and a silky, endearing style. This fruit-forward, charming Cote Rotie should be drunk over the next 5-7 years. (Not yet released) Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchants, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524

Also sexy and forward in style is the 2010 Cote Rotie. Exhibiting enticing, round, black cherry, black raspberry, cedar, spice box, licorice and tapenade characteristics, this 2010 possesses good acidity, lushness, ripeness and a denser constitution than the 2011. Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchants, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524

The 2006 is superficial, soft, and fruity, with a dark plum color and attractive elegance in an easygoing, straightforward style. It will be best drunk in its first 7-8 years of life. Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524

The 2005 is a fruit-driven wine, with hints of acacia flowers intermixed with sweet cherry and currant. A bit of cassis is also present in a medium-bodied style with surprisingly silky tannin for this vintage. Drink it over the next decade. Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524