The 2004 Cornas La Louvee has a dense ruby/purple color, plenty of crushed rocks, mint, cassis as well as truffle and pain grille notes. It looks like it has the stuffing to hold up to the big tannins and tart acids of this vintage. Colombo has done a good job with this wine from a south-facing vineyard. Dense ruby/purple with notes of minerals, mint (or is it bay leaf?), and plenty of black currants and cherries, the wine is medium to full-bodied and powerful. Give it 2-3 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 10-12 years. The well-known consulting oenologist in the Rhone Valley, Jean-Luc Colombo, has an ever-expanding negociant business for his wines. With the exception of his three estate wines of Cornas, all of the other wines listed are negociant bottlings. He is a talented winemaker and that is evidenced in his whites. Importer: Palm Bay Imports, Boca Raton, Fl; tel. (561) 362-9642

Strongly ferrous and minerally, with blackberry and blueberry fruit. There’s no evidence of the fragility of some 2004 northern Rhones. This is rich, concentrated and meaty, yet creamy, with supple tannins. Very flattering, with a long finish. This should age well.——J.C.(4/1/2007)—— 92