Denser, richer and fuller-bodied with more impressive levels of concentration, the 2009 St.-Joseph Le Berceau exhibits a purple color along with copious notes of boysenberries, blueberries, licorice, camphor and burning embers. With superb fruit, medium to full body, supple tannins and an extremely long finish, it should age effortlessly for a decade. No known American importer.

The 2006 St.-Joseph Le Berceau comes from 90+ year old vines planted on the hillsides of Tournon. A potential sleeper of the vintage, it reveals super-rich cherry and strawberry fruit in addition to plenty of spice and minerals. This medium to full-bodied beauty has no hard edges, but good acidity. It should drink nicely for 7-8 years. I also tasted Grippa’s 2006 St.-Peray Les Figuiers, which is a blend of 80% Marsanne and 20% Roussanne. I found it overwhelmingly oaky, which was surprising given the restrained oak on the reds.Importer: Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173