As one might expect, this estate can’t do anything wrong at present, and both their cuvees of Cotes du Rhone and Cotes du Rhone-Villages are beautifully made, soft, luscious wines with the 2006 Cotes du Rhone delivering loads of strawberry and cherry fruit, a bit of pepper and tobacco leaf, and excellent character. It is best drunk over the next 3-4 years. Proprietors Alain and Baptiste Grangeon have re-written this estate’s book on quality in a short period of time. Domaine de Cristia, which has rapidly become one of the appellation’s most dramatically improved estates, has expanded their operation to include some negociant selections bottled under the moniker, Cristia Collection. However, the Chateauneuf du Papes are only made from the estate vineyards and are bottled under the estate label. They are all noteworthy efforts. In 2006, the estate did not have enough high quality Mourvedre to produce a Cuvee Renaissance, so that fruit was all blended into the Vieilles Vignes offering. Importer: A Christopher Cannan Selection, various American importers including Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300 and Diamond Wine Merchants, Oakland, CA; tel. (510) 567-9897