The 2014 C?tes du Rh?ne is a delicious, easy drinking effort that has considerable charm in its fruit, licorice, garrigue and dark fruited personality. It will drink nicely for 2-3 years.

The most enjoyable and drinkable is the straightforward 2010 Cotes du Rhone, which exhibits lots of sweet herb, loamy soil and berry fruit characteristics. With 25 acres in Chateauneuf du Pape and even more acreage in surrounding Cotes du Rhone areas, this exceptionally well run estate has been producing high quality wines under the Bonnet family regime for at least a decade. The three 2010 Cotes du Rhones I tasted all merit consideration. The 2009 Chateauneuf du Papes are largely drinkable, with the exception of Les Hesperides. Importers: Simon N Cellars, Charlottesville, VA; tel. (434) 977-4476; Vigneron Imports, Oakland, CA; tel. (510) 530-1616; Oslo Enterprise LLC, Takoma Park, MD; tel. (301) 326-2056