The 2009 Cotes du Rhone-Villages (80% Grenache and 20% Syrah) is slightly better, with a deeper ruby color (as one might expect), more black currant and black cherry fruit, but notes of Provencal herbs, licorice, and spice. This medium-bodied wine is best drunk over the next 2 years. I don’t think anyone would disagree that young proprietors Dominique and Baptiste Grangeon are among the up-and-coming stars in Chateauneuf du Pape. This is another biodynamically farmed vineyard, and the Grangeons have been on fire qualitatively for the last five to six years. The 2007s were probably the strongest vintage overall that I have tasted from them, but 2005 was also brilliant at Cristia, and 2009 looks exceptionally strong as well. Cristia also turns out very fine Cotes du Rhones that sell for a song, and the 2009s are all in bottle.Importers: Wine Warehouse, Los Angeles, CA; tel. (800) 331-2829; Galaxy Wine Co., Portland, OR; tel. (503) 248-9493; George Molitor, Fine Vines, LLC, Melrose Park, IL; tel. (708) 343-6702; Wine Symphony, New York NY; tel. (212) 226-8283; ABC Fine Wines and Spirits, Orlando, FL; tel. (407) 851-0000

The 2007 Cotes du Rhone-Villages, which offers more intense and blacker fruits as well as plenty of pepper, licorice, and incense. It is a stylish, sexy red to drink over the next 2-3 years. As I have indicated over the last few years, this is one of the superb newer producers in Chateauneuf du Pape. Their cellars are in the village of Courthezon, which is located adjacent to the very northeast sector of the appellation. Their 2007s are spectacular wines. This superb Chateauneuf du Pape producer also fashions tasty Cotes du Rhones and Cotes du Rhone-Villages meant to be consumed during their first few years of life.Importers: Wine Warehouse, Los Angeles, CA; tel. 800-331-2829; ABC Fine Wines and Spirits, Orlando, FL; tel. (407) 851-0000, Vinotech LLC, New England, info@vinotechimports.com, and J A O Wine Imports, McLean, VA; tel. (703) 848-2473

Even better is the 2006 Cotes du Rhone-Villages, which has a darker color, more pepper, more fruit than the regular bottling, and oodles of kirsch liqueur and spice. 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