Tablas Creek’s Cotes du Rhone effort is the exceptional 2005 Cotes de Tablas, a blend of 43% Grenache, 24% Mourvedre, 18% Syrah, and 15% Counoise. There are 3,900 cases of this delicious, deep ruby/purple-hued offering. Aromas of smoke, roasted herbs, meat juices, black currants and cherries are followed by a medium to full-bodied wine displaying beautiful purity, fruit, and depth. Drink it over the next 5-6 years. Tel. (805) 237-1231; Fax (805) 237-1314

This is Cotes-du-Rhone, California style. A blend of Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah and Counoise, it’s a dry, rich, full-bodied red wine, flooded with easy-to-drink cherry, blackberry, blueberry and oak flavors, and a wealth of Provencal rosemary, lavender and thyme. Drink now for its soft, youthful purity.——S.H.(12/31/2007)—— 88