It might be too late to recommend, as I suspect most of the 2005 Cotes du Rhone Rose was sold given the fact that the word was circulating around Chateauneuf du Pape that Sabon had made one of the vintage’s greatest roses. This tastes like a pure strawberry cocktail but with some pepper, herbs, and considerable personality. If you can find any, I’m sure it is drinking well. Over the last decade Domaine de la Janasse has become one of the half dozen or so finest estates in Chateauneuf du Pape. However, they also produce an impressive range of Cotes du Rhones. This was also one of the few dozen or so estates that had exceptional success in 2003, a challenging vintage but, for those who did it right, some monumental wines. Proprietor Christophe Sabon compares 2004 with 1999, but with slightly more fruit and power. Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565