Richer, fuller and denser is the 2010 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Rasteau Cuvee Prestige, a blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 20% Mourvedre. Copious notes of white chocolate, roasted herbs, scorched earth, kirsch, black raspberries, earth and balsam wood are found in this full-bodied, long, dense, atypically powerful 2011. Drink it over the next decade. This estate is owned by Robert Charavin, who is also the president of the Syndicat des Vignerons de Rasteau. These are always consistently well-made wines that over-deliver. Importers: Vineyard Research, Lunenburg, MA; tel. (978) 582-7215; Charles Neal Selections, San Francisco, CA; www.charlesnealselections.com; and US Integrity Wines LLC, New York, NY

The 2010 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Rasteau Cuvee Prestige is a round, soft effort displaying lots of plum, fig, chocolaty black cherry and earthy fruit notes in a medium to full-bodied, drinkable style. None of these wines will make old bones, but they are capable of lasting 5-7 years. Proprietor Robert Charavin, also the president of the Syndicat des Vignerons de Rasteau, is a consistent producer of attractive Cotes du Rhones that sell at realistic prices.Importers: Vineyard Research, Lunenburg, MA; tel. (978) 582-7215 and Charles Neal Selections, San Francisco, CA; www.charlesnealselections.com

The 2009 Rasteau Cuvee Prestige, a blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 20% Mourvedre aged in foudre, reveals a dense ruby/purple color along with an extraordinary bouquet of black cherry jam and hoisin sauce. It is a big, full-bodied, concentrated, super-ripe, chewy effort with sweet tannins, a multilayered mouthfeel and a heady finish. Enjoy it over the next decade. (Not yet released) One of the most reliable estates in the southern Rhone (they’re based in the Cotes du Rhone village of Cairanne) is Robert Charavin’s Domaine Coteaux des Travers. Importers: Vineyard Research, Lunenburg, MA; tel. (978) 582-7215 and Charles Neal Selections, San Francisco, CA; www.charlesnealselections.com

Enticing black fruit, peat, woodsmoke, blackberry and vanilla aromas. Round and ripe palate with a fleshy heart. Real depth and a sense of pleasure.