A tank-made blend of Viognier, Roussanne and Grenache Blanc—the Viognier grown near the caveau in Orange and the other varieties coming from a site near Violès—Grand Veneur's 2020 Cotes du Rhone Blanc features scents of lime zest, pineapple, white pepper and apricot. It's medium to full-bodied, with a slightly pulpy-fleshy feel and a bit of citrus pith on the finish. Drink it young.

The 2010 Cotes du Rhone blanc (40% Viognier, 50% Roussanne and 10% Clairette) displays rose petal, waxy notes, medium-bodied, elegant flavors, good freshness and a hint of peach. This is a fleshy, medium-bodied, dry white to drink over the next year or so. Great bargains continue to emerge from Domaine Grand Veneur as well as from their negociant arm of the business, labeled Alain Jaume. Importer: Kysela Pere et Fils, Winchester, VA; tel. (540) 722-9228

The 2009 Cotes du Rhone blanc (40% Viognier, 40% Roussanne, and 20% Clairette) exhibits notes of white flowers intermixed with a crystalline minerality, light to medium body, and attractive freshness. It falls off quickly on the palate, so it is best drunk over the next 6-12 months. Grand Veneur is one of the most brilliant estates in Chateauneuf du Pape as well as the force behind the negociant wines sold under the Alain Jaume label. Virtually everything they produce has merit. Some of this estate’s 2009 red wines are just hitting the market as they are bottled early to preserve their fruit and freshness. I can’t say enough about the job Alain Jaume’s two sons, Sebastian and Christophe, have done with this estate. The impeccable attention to detail in the vineyards, the meticulous vinification, and the careful bottling benefit every consumer. Importer: Fran Kysela, Kysela Pere et Fils, Winchester, VA; tel. (540) 722-9228; Fax (540) 722-9258