The full-bodied 2007 Cotes du Rhone Cuvee Jules Rochelonne has a dense purple color and is accompanied by copious notes of garrigue, ground pepper, kirsch, and raspberries. It should drink well for 5-6 years. This is a very good estate making top-notch Chateauneuf du Pape (reviewed in issue #179) as well as stunning Cotes du Rhone and excellent Gigondas. Value seekers should check out their sensational 2007 Cotes du Rhones. Importers: Simon N Cellars, Charlottesville, VA; tel. (434) 977-4476, and Christopher Cannan, Europvin; www.europvin.com

The 2006 Cotes du Rhone Cuvee Jules Rochelonne is very good, but is not up to the level of the 2007. This is a very good estate making top-notch Chateauneuf du Pape (reviewed in issue #179) as well as stunning Cotes du Rhone and excellent Gigondas. Value seekers should check out their sensational 2007 Cotes du Rhones. Importers: Simon N Cellars, Charlottesville, VA; tel. (434) 977-4476, and Christopher Cannan, Europvin; www.europvin.com

The 2005 Jules Rochebonne possesses more structure, acidity, and precision than the 2004, but a similar weight as well as aging potential. Importer: Simon N Cellars, Charlottesville, VA; tel. (434) 977-4476 and Christopher Cannan, Europvin; www.europvin.com

This producer’s lovely, tank-aged Cotes du Rhone-Villages, the Cuvee Jules Rochebonne, contains a high percentage of Syrah. The dark ruby/purple-colored 2004 reveals abundant amounts of licorice, black currant, and berry fruit, silky tannin, outstanding ripeness, and medium body. Drink it over the next 3-4 years. Importer: Simon N Cellars, Charlottesville, VA; tel. (434) 977-4476 and Christopher Cannan, Europvin; www.europvin.com

An up-and-coming estate run by young proprietor Eric Bonnet, readers should be on the look-out for the gorgeous Cotes du Rhone-Villages Cuvee Jules Rochebonne. It is an excellent, classic Provencal effort offering abundant amounts of kirsch liqueur intermixed with pepper and resiny pine forest characteristics, and plenty of glycerin. The 2003 possesses slightly more alcohol and punch than the 2004. It is best consumed over the next 3-4 years. Importer: Simon N Cellars, Charlottesville, VA; tel. (434) 977-4476.