Pretty much hors classe and out of this world is the 2010 St.-Joseph Le Paradis St.-Pierre. Notes of charcoal, graphite, creme de cassis, kirsch liqueur, spring flowers, pen ink and lead pencil shavings jump from this full-bodied, massively endowed yet incredibly elegant and pure St.-Joseph. Possibly the greatest wine yet made by Jerome Coursodon, it is one of the finest St.-Josephs I have ever tasted. It should age effortlessly for 10-15+ years. The tall, competent Jerome Coursodon is the fifth generation of his family to exploit the hillside vineyards of St.-Joseph. They began producing wines in the 19th century, becoming well-known in French wine circles in the 1930s. The majority of their vineyard holdings are on the hillsides above the village of Mauves, where the well-known Chave family has been making wines since 1472. The Coursodons also own parcels situated further north, above Tournon and in the most northerly sector of the appellation, St.-Jean de Muzols. By the way, if you see any of the four 2009 cuvees on your retailer’s shelf, snap them up as they are magnificent wines. Those wines have serious rivals in both 2010 and 2011. Importer: A Patrick Lesec Selection, agent for the U.S. market, Chemin des Vins, Sherborn, MA; tel. (508) 545-1532