Domaine de la Bécassonne is a small estate located near the village of Sorgue near Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the southern Rhône Valley. Planted in 1978, the property is solely dedicated to the production of white wine, a rarity in these parts. But with its cool micro-climate and sandy, limestone soils the tiny property is ideal for the production of fresh, expressive white wine. The vineyards are pruned for low yields (around 40 hectolitres per hectare) and each varietal is harvested separately as they reach optimal ripeness. Fermentation is done in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to retain each varietals bright fruit characteristics. A blend of 55% Roussanne, 30% Grenache Blanc and 15% Clairette, this wine is bottled in early March for freshness and vibrancy. A favorite of our discerning clientèle, the Becassonne Blanc generally shows up around this time each year, just in time to slake our late spring and summertime thirsts for among the finest values in superb quality southern Rhône Valley white wines. Regularly $13.75 the bottle, on sale now at:

The home of André Brunel is also the site of the vineyard from which is produced his Côtes-du-Rhône Cuvée Sommelongue. The property is about 10 kilomètres north of Châteauneuf-du-Pape near the village of Orange. The name of the wine, Cuvée Sommelongue, refers to the long, thin 9-hectare parcel of vineyard from which the fruit is sourced. This contiguous piece of vineyard is is planted to about 90% Grenache, 5% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre and is well exposed to the sun. The fruit is picked very late after achieving a high potential degree of natural alcohol, then destemmed and vinified completely in tank, read no interference of oak. Alluring aromas of ripe cherry and berry fruit with subtle hints of Provençal spice; juicy and just plain delectable on the tongue with supple textures and soft chalky tannins that well distribute bursting spicy berry flavors long to the finish. Cuvée Sommelongue is some kind of favorite among the myriad delicious southern Côtes-du-Rhône reds we are pleased to offer to our discerning clientèle. Regularly $13.75 the bottle, on sale now at:

Bright ruby. Highly floral bouquet of red and dark berry preserves, potpourri, smoky minerals and white pepper. Tangy red berry flavors give way to deeper cherry and blackberry in the middle palate, with exotic floral pastille and Asian spice qualities adding complexity. Very suave wine with a seamless, silky texture and strong finishing sweetness, not to mention impressive clarity. Rated 93. ‑ Josh Raynolds, Steven Tanzer's International Wine Cellar January/February, 2010

Vivid red color. Seductive, highly expressive aromas of raspberry, anise, Asian spices, smoky minerals and potpourri. Juicy, sweet and palate-staining, with vibrant red and dark berry flavors and superb clarity and back-end florality. The extremely long finish leaves sweet floral pastille and raspberry notes behind. This is one of the most seductive wines of the vintage and is already showing a lot of complexity. Rated 95. ‑ Josh Raynolds, Steven Tanzer's International Wine Cellar January/February, 2010

Very pure, with superracy red cherry, raspberry and violet notes that stretch out through the lengthy, graphite-filled finish. There's lovely, integrated acidity. Delicious. Drink now through 2011. 5,000 cases made. Rated 91. Top 100. ‑JM, Wine Spectator

Produce from 50% Syrah from Visan together with 50% Grenache from Saint-Gervais at PERRIN et Fils’ Château du Grand Prébois at Orange in the southern Côtes-du-Rhône, utilizing the same viticultural and vinification techniques as at their very own Château de Beaucastel, nearby at Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Maceration and fermentation are carried out in concrete; the wine is then matured in a combination of large oak and concrete and bottled after an egg-white fining. Dark ruby to deeper purple in color; classic southern Rhône valley aromas of macerated cherries and berries, spice, reglisse, and a delicate sense of the garrigue with subtle hints of sun-roasted herbs, say rosemary and thyme; silken-textured on entry, then full-bodied and generous on the tongue with gentle grip of broad chalky tannins and a pleasing freshness of flavor to the finish. As they say chez PERRIN, "If you like Côtes-du-Rhône, you’ll love Côtes-du-Rhône Villages." Regularly $11.99 the bottle, on sale now at:

Quintessential southern Rhône valley red; ruby in color with aromas redolent of cherries, berries, roasted herbs and a touch of pepper; silken-textured with cheery cherry/berry-like mouthwatering acidity and medium tannins giving the wine stucture and balance to the finish. A wine that speaks well of its place and plays nice with the pocket book, too (one could well forget it costs anywhere near just ten bucks - even less by the case).