Black cherry jam, cocoa, earth, and crushed rock-like characteristics emerge from the dense purple-colored 2006 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Rasteau Cuvee Confiance. This concentrated, heady beauty possesses loads of fruit and texture.Andre Romero continues to turn out an impressive portfolio of wines. Several of his vin de pays fly under most consumer’s radar as one does not generally associate Bordeaux varietals with the southern Rhone. 2006 was a very good vintage for Romero, a notoriously late harvester.Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565.

The 2005 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Rasteau Cuvee Confiance possesses high tannins, yet also has impressive levels of extract and fruit. A dense purple color is followed by chocolate, blackberry, cassis, scorched earth, and coffee-like aromas. Full-bodied, powerful, backward, and young, it needs 7-8 years of cellaring. This is among the most tannic wines Romero has produced, but the top cuvees possess enough concentration to balance out the structural components. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2025+. Andre Romero continues to turn out an impressive portfolio of wines. Several of his vin de pays fly under most consumer’s radar as one does not generally associate Bordeaux varietals with the southern Rhone. 2006 was a very good vintage for Romero, a notoriously late harvester.Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565.

The 1993 Cuvee Confiance reveals gobs of spicy, peppery notes, abundant richness, an expansive, chewy personality, and loads of glycerin, extract, and body in the long finish. It should be consumed over the next 3-4 years.Proprietor Andre Romero has hit the bull's eye with this delicious, full-bodied, peppery, concentrated, velvety-textured Cotes du Rhone.Importer: Eric Solomon of European Cellars. He has 33 wholesalers in the United States and is based at 121 West 27th Street, Suite 1103, New York, NY 10001. His telephone number is (212) 924-4949 and his fax number is (212) 924-0567.