The 2005 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Rasteau Cuvee Confiance possesses high tannins, yet also has impressive levels of extract and fruit. A dense purple color is followed by chocolate, blackberry, cassis, scorched earth, and coffee-like aromas. Full-bodied, powerful, backward, and young, it needs 7-8 years of cellaring. This is among the most tannic wines Romero has produced, but the top cuvees possess enough concentration to balance out the structural components. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2025+. Andre Romero continues to turn out an impressive portfolio of wines. Several of his vin de pays fly under most consumer’s radar as one does not generally associate Bordeaux varietals with the southern Rhone. 2006 was a very good vintage for Romero, a notoriously late harvester.Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565.