This effort reveals a dark ruby/purple color, with extraordinary amounts of sweet, ripe Grenache dominating its personality. Although more delineated than the 2000, the 2001 displays plenty of fat, opulence, and plumpness to its gutsy, robust character. It is a beautifully made, pure, lush Cotes du Rhone Villages from an estate better known for its glorious, sweet white wines. Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524

This effort reveals a dark ruby/purple color, with extraordinary amounts of sweet, ripe Grenache dominating its personality. The 2000 exhibits more heady alcohol than the 2001, as well as glycerin in its hedonistic, gloriously fruity personality. A classic southern Rhone, it possesses notes of pepper, garrigue, and kirsch liqueur. Enjoy it over the next 2-3 years. Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524

The big, thick 1999 Beaumes de Venise Cuvee Prestige offers copious quantities of herb-tinged, black cherry and plum-like fruit intermixed with pepper, licorice, and earth. Drink this dense, full-bodied, seamless, mouthfilling, gloriously juicy Beaumes de Venise over the next 2-3 years. Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel (510) 524-1524