Château de Beaucastel Red Rhone Blend Côtes du Rhône Coudoulet de Beaucastel 2007

The blockbuster 2007 Cotes du Rhone Coudoulet, always one of the best bargains from the south, may be the finest Coudoulet ever produced. A blend of 30% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache, and the rest Syrah, Cinsault, and a few other authorized varietals, is incredibly opulent and rich, with sensational notes of black currants, licorice, smoked herbs, and meat juices, a full-bodied mouthfeel, savory tannins, and good acidity as well as length. This outstanding wine can be drunk now or cellared for 10ndash;15 years.

Ripe but well focused, with a beam of fig and ganache running through the middle, while licorice, mulled spice and incense notes fill in the edges. A tarry hint frames the finish. Mourvegrave;dre, Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah. Drink now through 2011.

Blended in roughly equal proportions of Mourvegrave;dre, Grenache, Syrah and 80-year-old Cinsault grapes. This wine is rich and concentrated, with aromas of dark fruits, ink and spice. Firm tannins suggest a bit of time in the cellar, but there is enough fruit present to enjoy this now.

The 2000 Côtes du Rhône Coudoulet is a luscious, richly fruity offering with considerable fat as well as texture. Revealing a dense purple color along with terrific aromatics of licorice and cassis, this full-bodied, low acid effort will no doubt be bottled earlier than usual to preserve its fruit and freshness. Although it will not be long-lived, it will provide delicious drinking for a decade.

Produced from vines just outside the boundaries of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. The Coudoulet Rouge 2007 is the second wine of the legendary Beaucastel Estate. Full-bodied, with juicy raspberry and slightly bitter black cherry flavors. A little time in the glass opens up this fruit bomb and allows the earthy, peppery spiciness to come forward. Impeccably balanced; you can drink this now or lay it down for a decade.

Distinctive, traditional Rhône red that excites, with an interesting combination of mineral, wet earth, faded flower petals, black truffle and - surprisingly - red brick aromas. These decadent notes continue in the aftertaste. It's structured, and turns silky in the midpalate from good concentration of fruit. Best from 2003 through 2010.

Bright full red-ruby. Aromas of smoky red fruits and spice cake. Tightly wound and firm, but less exuberant and primary than the young 2000. A solid wine with somewhat tight tannins; today one senses the wine's acidity, even though it's no higher than usual for this bottling. A bit inscrutable at present.