Domaine Les Pallieres Gigondas 2004

14.5%, $40

Colour: red-brown

Aromas: blueberry, smoke, 

Flavours: Smoke, blueberry, raisin, stewed plum, mineral, dill, prune

High complexity

Medium to high tannins

High acidity

Med to long finish

Domaine La Monardiere Vacqueyras 2004

14.5%, $30

60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 20% Mourvedre

Colour: dark purple

Aromas: ink, plum jam, oil

Flavours: cantelope rind, barn of farm, olives, herbaciousiosity

Medium to high tannins

Med to high acidity

Med to high complexity

Mysterious finish

Perrin et Fils — Rasteau Cotes du Rhone Villages "L'Andéol"

14%, $20

80% Grenache, 20% Syrah

Colour: dark purply red

Aromas: barnyard, sour cherry, strawberry

Flavours: see above, plus cinnamon, sweet spices

Med to high complexity

Med to high acidity

Moderate tannins

Medium tannic finish

Chateau du Trignon — Sablet Cotes du Rhone Villages 2005

14%, $25

Colour: Purplish

Aroma: cherry, citrus, strawberry?

Flavours: strawberry jam, alcohol, blueberry (kool-aid), cherry

High acidity

Moderate tannins

Medium body

Short to medium tart finish

Les Meysonniers Crozes Hermitage 2006

13%, $26

Colour: garnett (in a dark room)

Aromas: sour cherry

Flavours: cherry, dark chocolate, apricot, white pepper

Med to high tannins

High acidity

Medium body

Short to medium crisp finish

Pierre Gaillard Cote Rotie 2004

13%, $40

Colour: red core, lighter around edges

Aroma: herbacious, tobacco, mint, cherry

Flavour: mint, cherry, herbaciousness, leather, stewed red fruit

High acidity

Medium body

Moderate tannins

Short tart finish

Domaine Courbis Saint-Joseph 2004

13%, $40

Colour: red-brown

Aromas: sour cherry, caramel, licorice

Flavours: sour cherry, citrus, smoke, leather

Details: Medium bodied

High Acidity

Short, tart finish