The dark ruby/purple-tinged 2005 Gigondas offers up sweet aromas of flowers, crushed rocks, black raspberries, cherries, and earth. Medium-bodied, elegant, and rich, it should drink well for a decade. Although the irrepressible Andre Romero hardly needed help from Bordeaux, he has brought in Stephane Derenoncourt, the well-known wine guru of St.-Emilion and Pomerol as a consultant. Romero has purchased some parcels in both Gigondas and Chateauneuf du Pape, but his glories remain his offerings from the ancient, sun-drenched/roasted, old Grenache vines of Rasteau. Romero is one of the region’s more modern winemakers, aging his top cuvees in small oak barrels. However, these wines easily absorb their wood component given their tremendous concentration and power.Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565