One of the finest values in this portfolio is the 2007 Cotes du Rhone Les Violettes (approximately 15% Viognier and 15% Roussanne are co-fermented with red grapes). Flamboyant aromas of peaches, exotic flowers, sweet black cherries, and cassis are followed by deep, lush, medium to full-bodied flavors, and a seductive, succulent finish. Drink it over the next 3-4 years. Few vignerons are more interesting to visit than Domaine La Soumade’s Andre Romero, whose wines are longtime reference points for the wines of Rasteau, a village with some incredible terroirs as well as a high percentage of old vine Grenache. Romero makes a bevy of Vin de Pays offerings, but his finest cuvees are his Cotes du Rhone and Rasteau wines. He also produces a small amount of Gigondas. Readers who don’t think Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon can do well in the Mistral winds and dry heat of the southern Rhone should check out Soumade’s offerings. St.-Emilion’s guru, Stephane Derenoncourt is the consulting winemaker, which may help explain why these wines are so good.Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565

The 2006 Cotes du Rhone Les Violettes is slightly firmer and less flamboyant, but again, it exhibits an extravagant aromatic profile of spring flowers, peach liqueur, and red, as well as black fruits. This fruity, medium to full-bodied, delicious, complex wine can be enjoyed during its first 3-4 years of life. Few vignerons are more interesting to visit than Domaine La Soumade’s Andre Romero, whose wines are longtime reference points for the wines of Rasteau, a village with some incredible terroirs as well as a high percentage of old vine Grenache. Romero makes a bevy of Vin de Pays offerings, but his finest cuvees are his Cotes du Rhone and Rasteau wines. He also produces a small amount of Gigondas. Readers who don’t think Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon can do well in the Mistral winds and dry heat of the southern Rhone should check out Soumade’s offerings. St.-Emilion’s guru, Stephane Derenoncourt is the consulting winemaker, which may help explain why these wines are so good.Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565

The 2005 Cotes du Rhone Les Violettes is cut from the same mold. Aromas of violets, lavender, black cherry jam, chocolate, and pain grille jump from the glass of this medium-bodied, fleshy, fruit-driven effort. It has much more complexity than one might suspect. These are wines meant to be drunk during their first 5-6 years of life. 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.Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565