From a 10 acre estate owned by the Brottes, the dense purple-colored Domaine Grosset 2010 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Cairanne is composed of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 20% Mourvedre aged in both barrel and tank. It offers a pure nose of loamy, sandy soil, kirsch, black currant and new saddle leather-like aromas. This complex, delicious, mid-weight Cotes du Rhone-Villages can be enjoyed over the next 4-5 years. This firm continues to dramatically improve the quality of its wines since Laurent Brotte, the grandson of the founder, Charles Brotte, took over management in 2000. Additionally, the brilliant Philippe Cambie is the consultant. Brotte is renowned for their non-vintage cuvee of Chateauneuf du Pape called La Fiole du Pape, which is usually a blend of three or four vintages and is sold in a misshapen, phony dust-covered bottle that undoubtedly horrifies purists. However, the wine is quite good, and to Laurent Brotte’s credit, they have started putting a lot number on the label.Various American importers including Chrissa Imports, South San Francisco, CA; tel. (650) 877-8460; Opici Imports, Glen Rock, NJ; tel. (201) 689-3256; Margaux and Associates Fine Wines and Spirits, Dallas, TX; tel. (214) 380-1731; and Transat Trade, Gardena, CA; tel. (310) 516-6799

Another potentially outstanding offering is the 2009 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Cairanne Domaine Grosset. Made of equal parts Syrah, Mourvedre and Grenache, the Syrah and Mourvedre components are aged in small barrels and the Grenache is kept in foudres. The Grenache comes from over 100-year-old vines. The wine boasts a deep ruby/plum color as well as notes of ground pepper, incense, raspberries and kirsch, a concentrated, earthy style, background minerality and sandy, loamy soil undertones. Medium to full-bodied and rich with light tannins, it should drink well for 7-8 years. (Not yet released)The Brotte family was among one of the first to estate bottle Chateauneuf du Papes in the early 1930s. Over recent years, under the guidance of Laurent Brotte, the grandson of the founder, Charles Brotte, quality has improved dramatically. Additionally, they have brought in the renowned consultant, Philippe Cambie. Brotte is still best known for their non-vintage, solera blend of Chateauneuf du Pape called La Fiole, which is a huge commercial success. The quality is very good in spite of the phoney dust or the twisted and bent bottle. All of the wines I recently tasted with Laurent Brotte are classy, well-made, high quality efforts. Brotte seems to go largely unnoticed in the American market, but that should change based on what they have been accomplishing over recent vintages.Various American importers based on the state in which you live: www.brotte.com

The red wines include the 2007 Domaine Grosset Cotes du Rhone-Villages Cairanne. It offers classic kirsch liqueur, sandy, loamy soil, licorice, pepper, and Provencal herb notes. Dense ruby/plum/purple-colored, deep, rich, and medium to full-bodied, it can be drunk now and over the next 5-6 years. In top vintages such as 2007, three cuvees of Chateauneuf du Pape are produced, all of which performed even better from bottle than they did last year.Various American importers: www.brotte.com

A Brotte-owned estate, Domaine Grosset shows that when the family puts their heart into doing the best they can, their efforts are rewarded. It’s rich and spicy, with cola and plum aromas and flavors that are dense and almost fruitcake-like, finishing with hints of coffee and plum. Drink now-2015.——W.E.(8/1/2007)—— 90