Even better, the 2012 Cotes du Rhone Villages Domaine de La Vieille Fontaine, which is the same blend/elevage as the ’11, gives up a complex, layered and interesting profile, with notions of black cherry, leather, wild herbs and underbrush all giving way to a medium+-bodied, rich and beautifully balanced feel on the palate. It’s a solid bottle of wine and will have a total of 6-8 years of longevity. Owned by the Guigal team, with the wines made by Guy Sarton-de-Joncquey, Vidal Fleury produces a wealth of high quality releases, most of which represent fantastic values. In addition to the northern and southern Rhone releases reviewed here, readers should also look at Issue 209 for the remainder of the southern Rhone efforts.