Showing slightly darker fruit, with obvious minerality, the 2012 Cotes du Rhone Villages (same blend and elevage as the ’11) has impressive fruit, medium-bodied richness and loads of texture. I don’t think it will make old bones, but it should dish out plenty of pleasure over the coming 4-5 years or so. Owned by the Guigal team, with the wines made by Guy Sarton-de-Joncquey, Vidal Fleury produces a wealth of high quality releases, most of which represent fantastic values. In addition to the northern and southern Rhone releases reviewed here, readers should also look at Issue 209 for the remainder of the southern Rhone efforts.