Marcel Guigal finds working in Hermitage the most difficult given the extremely high prices asked by growers as well as the difficulty in finding top cuvees. However, he buys from very good producers, and in 1997 has fashioned an excellent, seductive Hermitage rouge. It possesses a dense ruby color, abundant cassis fruit, excellent texture, sweet tannin, and a low acid, long finish. It is a wine to drink over the next 10-12 years. Importer: Fred Ek, Ex Cellars Wine Agencies, Solvang, CA; tel. (805) 686-9153

Ripe and sweet-tasting, very supple and silky, with plenty of fruit. Tastes so seductive you can drink it now. Full-bodied, it has fresh, juicy character, but lacks a bit of terroir complexity. Best from 2002 through 2010. 2,500 cases made. -PM