An oak-aged cuvee (40% American and 60% French barrels), the 2001 Gigondas Les Espalines-Les Tendrelles is a modern-styled, obviously oaky example lacking some of the typicity of its siblings. Nevertheless, it offers a deep ruby/purple color along with copious quantities of chocolate, oak, and red as well as black fruit characteristics. Supple-textured and medium-bodied, it would be hard to pick this out as a southern Rhone in a blind tasting. Drink it over the next 5-7 years. Importer: a Patrick Lesec Selection, various American importers, including Stacole Fine Wines, Boca Raton, FL; tel. (561) 998-0039, Classic Wines, Boston, MA; tel. (617) 469-5799; Fine Vines LLC, Maywood, IL; tel. (708) 343-5901; Associated Wine Distributors, St. Helena, CA; tel. (707) 963-8048; and Vintage ’59 Imports, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 966-9218