The Alain Jaume 2009 Cotes du Ventoux Les Gelinottes is a steal. A delicious, super-seductive blend of equal parts Grenache and Syrah aged in stainless steel, it possesses silky tannins, abundant kirsch and blackberry fruit, a succulent, juicy mid-palate, and a luscious finish. This is Provencal seduction at its best. Drink it over the next 1-2 years. Grand Veneur is one of the most brilliant estates in Chateauneuf du Pape as well as the force behind the negociant wines sold under the Alain Jaume label. Virtually everything they produce has merit. Some of this estate’s 2009 red wines are just hitting the market as they are bottled early to preserve their fruit and freshness. I can’t say enough about the job Alain Jaume’s two sons, Sebastian and Christophe, have done with this estate. The impeccable attention to detail in the vineyards, the meticulous vinification, and the careful bottling benefit every consumer.Importer: Fran Kysela, Kysela Pere et Fils, Winchester, VA; tel. (540) 722-9228; Fax (540) 722-9258