Domaine de la Presidente makes some of the finest Cotes du Rhones of the appellation. Not surprisingly, these three cuvees are all top-notch as well as potential sleepers of the vintage. They all possess deep ruby/purple colors, and lots of heady black fruit character mixed with truffle, earth, incense, and plenty of Provencal typicity. The best balanced are the 2007 Cotes du Rhone Grands Classiques and the?2007 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Grands Classiques. They all have 4-5 years of aging potential.Although most of this estate’s production is from their significant holdings in the Cotes du Rhone-Villages appellations (especially Cairanne), they also produce excellent Chateauneuf du Papes.Importer: Total Wine & More, Potomac, MD; tel. (301) 795-1080

Lastly, no doubt a sleeper of the vintage is the 2005 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Grands Classiques. This wine shows a deep ruby/purple color, sweet cassis and cherry fruit, with some licorice, smoke, herbs, and meatiness. It is quite a tasty, full-throttle Cotes du Rhone that should drink nicely for another 7-8 years.This estate, which is located in Cairanne, does its best work from the vineyards in and about that area. I tasted three cuvees of Cairanne and two cuvees of Cotes du Rhone, and all of the 2005s merit consideration.Importer: Vignobles Select, Laurel, MD; tel. (301) 362-4398