2010 Cotes du Rhone Villages

Deep bright crimson. Savoury and a touch meaty alongside ripe dark cherry. Lively on the nose but more creamy and subdued on the palate. A little too soft and lacks freshness. Rounded and easy. (JH)

Mas de Boislauzon’s Cotes du Rhone-Villages is always one of the finest of the area, and the 2010 is a big time sleeper of the vintage. Lots of plum, balsamic, cassis and black cherry jam aromas are followed by a lavishly fruity, silky textured, full-bodied red to drink over the next 3-4 years. This is a winner! This 22-acre estate is on top of its game thanks to the efforts of the brilliant brother and sister team of Daniel and Christine Chaussy, who have been hitting all the high notes for the last 15 or more years. There are three cuvees of red Chateauneuf du Pape, and I would suggest that 2009 and 2010 are the finest back-to-back vintages produced to date (although one can not forget the prodigious 2007s turned out by the Chaussys). The 2010s are brilliant efforts across the board, potentially even better than the 2009s, and certainly more structured with higher acids and more aging potential. Kudos to Daniel and Christine Chaussy, who, by the way, are well-worth visiting should you venture into the northern tier of Chateauneuf du Pape where all their vineyards are located, just south of the ancient Roman town of Orange. Importer: Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173

Tasting more like a Châteauneuf than an Côtes du Rhône, the 2010 Mas de Boislauzon Côtes du Rhône Villages looks to continue this cuvee’s string of excellent vintages. A blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Mourvèdre, and the rest a mix of varieties, the wine shows loads of classy currant and cherry fruit, spice, and smoked meat characteristics, medium to full body, and a superb texture that carries into the long finish. While it should be accessible on release, a year or two in the cellar won’t hurt. It should drink nicely for a decade.