A sleeper of the vintage (which I actually liked better than the Chateauneuf du Pape), the 2007 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Plan de Dieu is a blend of 75% Grenache and the rest Mourvedre and Carignan. Offering a deep ruby/purple color as well as a huge nose of crushed pepper, black currants, cherries, spice box, and licorice, this medium to full-bodied, pure, textured, luscious wine can be enjoyed over the next 2-3 years. Readers should keep an eye on this estate as quality has soared, not only for their relatively limited cuvees from the south, but also for everything they are producing in the north. Importer: A French Paradox, Peoria, IL; tel. (309) 682-8994