More opulent and sumptuous (because it is 100% Grenache), the 2010 Cotes du Rhone Les Garrigues is a “must buy” for consumers. Its dense ruby/purple color is followed by huge notes of kirsch, licorice, roasted herbs, lavender and black raspberries. This full-bodied, opulent Cotes du Rhone achieved 15.5% natural alcohol. Consume it over the next 5-7 years. Domaine de la Janasse is one of the great winemaking estates of not only France, but of the world. It is situated adjacent to the Auto Route de Soleil opposite Chateauneuf du Pape, at the entrance to the village of Courthezon. Janasse is managed by Christophe Sabon and his sister, Isabelle. Although their father is technically retired, he is still a visible as well as spiritual presence at this superb estate. Janasse owns over 40 acres in Chateauneuf du Pape as well as significant holdings in the Cotes du Rhone appellations. The consistency at this estate since the mid-1990s has been remarkable. Year in and year out, the wines, both reds and whites, are among the finest one will find ... anywhere! 2011 is consistently a top vintage at Janasse, even though it is by no means a great vintage in the southern Rhone, and their prodigious 2010s compete with their remarkable array of 2007s and 2009s. First, the 2011s, a challenging year that depended on vignerons making strict selections, not only in the vineyard, but also on the triage tables. Sabon has certainly done that. Janasse’s white Chateauneuf du Papes are fascinating as Sabon is one of the last producers to still do a 100% malolactic fermentation and no filtration. 2010 rivals 2007 as the two greatest vintages I have ever tasted at Domaine de la Janasse (and I’ve been tasting their wines for over two decades). Importer: Eric Solomon, European Selections, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565

2010 年的 Cotes du Rhone Les Garrigues 是 Sabon 的一款佳釀，是我最喜歡的酒款之一。這款酒產(chǎn)自極好的葡萄園，散發(fā)著櫻桃白蘭地、甘草及豐富的黑醋栗的味道，十分優(yōu)雅，酒體豐滿。對比 2009 年的酒款，該酒更濃稠，更豐富，酸度也更高，特點也更鮮明。