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, if a touch deeper in pitch than the previous couple of vintages; 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:

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

The 2007 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Cairanne Reserve des Seigneurs is a blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, and 10% Syrah. It is a soft, plump, fleshy offering displaying succulent black cherry and fig-like fruit, surprising precociousness, and a lovely, textured, full-bodied, mouthfeel. Another classic bargain from the southern Rhone, this Provencal red can be enjoyed over the next 5-7 years. Rated 90. ‑ Robert M. Parker, Jr.'s The Wine Advocate Issue 181, February, 2009

Ruby-red. Exuberant raspberry and cherry aromas are complicated by anise, rose, baking spices and smoky herbs. Offers an intriguing blend of sweetness and spice on the palate, which offers pliant red berry and bitter cherry flavors with cinnamon, white pepper and lavender pastille accents. Finishes with a strong echo of red berries and impressive clarity. This is delicious now. Rated 91. ‑ Josh Raynolds, Steven Tanzer's International Wine Cellar Issue 142, January/February, 2009

The 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape displays the vintage’s distinctive, explosively earthy, spicy, peppery, garrigue-dominated essence of Provence-like aromatics. The fruit takes a back seat to the spicy, earthy component. Les Cailloux’s tradition cuvee of Chateauneuf du Pape is a blend of 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 12% Syrah, and the rest Cinsault, aged in both tank and small barrels. This full-bodied, supple-textured effort is already seductive and round. Enjoy it over the next 10-12 years. Rated 90. ‑ Robert M. Parker, Jr.'s The Wine Advocate Issue 179, October, 2008

Among the first of the new crop of '08 rosé wines from the south of France, Paul JABOULET Aîné Parallèle 45 Rosé is produced from 50% Grenache, 40% Cinsault and 10% Syrah harvested in the southern Côtes-du-Rhône. Aromas of spring flowers, red cherries, berries and a touch of white pepper; fresh, easygoing, uncomplicated, lip-smackingly fruity on the tongue. And priced to quaff... What's not to love?

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).

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." We think you’ll like the price as well. Regularly $11.99 the bottle, on sale now at: