A good value is Xavier’s 2013 Cotes du Ventoux, which is from an appellation that did well in both 2013 and 2014. Made from equal parts Grenache and Syrah, aged 20% in barrel and 80% in concrete tank, it offers lots of garrigue, pinesap, olive, pepper and black raspberry notes on the nose. Medium-bodied, pretty, focused and with fine tannin, drink it anytime over the coming 3-4 years.

An outstanding effort, as well as a serious value, the 2012 C?tes du Ventoux has juicy dark berry fruit, white pepper and spring-flower nuances to go with a medium-bodied, balanced, seamless feel on the palate. It’s well worth checking out and will drink nicely for 4-5 years.

One of the finest values in this portfolio is the 2011 Cotes du Ventoux, a blend of 45% Syrah, 25% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre and the rest Cinsault and Carignan. Xavier Vignon ages this cuvee in a combination of barrels, of which one-third is new, one-third is 1-year old, and one-third is 2-years old. I did not see much oak in this wine, but it reveals plenty of black cherry and black currant fruit intermixed with hints of licorice and flowers. This attractive, elegant, medium-bodied red will offer delicious drinking over the next several years. Xavier Vignon, along with Philippe Cambie, are probably the two most highly renowned oenologists in Chateauneuf du Pape as well as some of the surrounding Cotes du Rhone regions. Vignon’s office and laboratory are next to the Auto Route A7, in the same complex as Chateau Husson. He is the consultant for such well-known domaines as Raymond Usseglio, Jerome Quiot, Beaurenard, La Nerthe, Mont Redon, Marcoux, Grand Veneur and La Gardine. I tasted through the new and upcoming Xavier Vignon releases. The blend of Xavier Vignon’s Chateauneuf du Pape can vary considerably. Vignon told me that it is a selection from nearly 120 different parcels in the appellation. Fashioned from the best fruit from old vines planted in the finest parcels is the Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Anonyme. Xavier Vignon is not going to release the 2007 Anonyme (his greatest Chateauneuf du Pape to date) until 2013 so readers have a chance of getting some of this production. I tasted three vintages of this cuvee with Vignon. Importer: Sussex Wine Merchants, Moorestown, NJ; tel. (856) 608-9644

The 2010 Cotes du Ventoux is made from a slightly different blend of 60% Syrah, 20% Mourvedre and 20% Grenache. Its dense ruby/purple color is followed by sweet aromas of blackberries, cassis, acacia flowers and truffles. Medium-bodied and fleshy, it is ideal for drinking over the next several years. Xavier Vignon, along with Philippe Cambie, are probably the two most highly renowned oenologists in Chateauneuf du Pape as well as some of the surrounding Cotes du Rhone regions. Vignon’s office and laboratory are next to the Auto Route A7, in the same complex as Chateau Husson. He is the consultant for such well-known domaines as Raymond Usseglio, Jerome Quiot, Beaurenard, La Nerthe, Mont Redon, Marcoux, Grand Veneur and La Gardine. I tasted through the new and upcoming Xavier Vignon releases. The blend of Xavier Vignon’s Chateauneuf du Pape can vary considerably. Vignon told me that it is a selection from nearly 120 different parcels in the appellation. Fashioned from the best fruit from old vines planted in the finest parcels is the Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Anonyme. Xavier Vignon is not going to release the 2007 Anonyme (his greatest Chateauneuf du Pape to date) until 2013 so readers have a chance of getting some of this production. I tasted three vintages of this cuvee with Vignon. Importer: Sussex Wine Merchants, Moorestown, NJ; tel. (856) 608-9644

The inexpensive reds include the 2009 and 2010 Cotes du Ventoux. I enjoyed these wines in their exuberant, vibrant youthfulness, and the 2010 has slightly more depth, precision and elegance compared to the softer, rounder, fatter 2009. Both are very good wines that represent excellent value. This is an up and coming, small, high quality negociant operation run by oenologist, Xavier Vignon and two partners. As I mentioned last year, they have some important clients – Raymond Usseglio, La Gardine, Jerome Quiot, Beaurenard, La Nerthe, Mont Redon, Marcoux and Grand Veneur, to name some of the more prominent. Tasting through this portfolio in September confirmed the efforts they are making to turn out high quality wines at reasonable prices. Importer: AOC Fine Wines, www.aocfinewines.com