by Cynthia Hurley

ARRIVING TUESDAY, MAY 19th

Note: This is a new supply of a December sell-out.
Don't miss it (or re-stock while you can).

"2007: Throughout the southern Rhône, 2007 is the greatest vintage I have tasted in my thirty years working in that region."

Parker's description below of his tasting of Chateauneuf du Papes lets us in on just how good all the wines in the southern Rhone are going to be. Savor every word. This is exciting. And, we can actually afford to uncork these wines every night.

"Think of 2007 as a hypothetical blend of an opulent, powerful, sumptuous year such as 1990, and a cooler drought vintage such as 2001. The cool weather and the remarkable three weeks of Mistral in September that concentrated the grapes without any spikes of high heat appears to have given the 2007s an aromatic dimension and freshness that I have rarely witnessed. Combine that with wines that are substantial, powerful, and relatively high in alcohol, with super depth of fruit! These are very aromatic wines of great concentration, freshness, laser-like focus, and amazing purity as well as depth. It is the vintage of my lifetime for this region, and I don't say that lightly. These 2007s will also be very long-lived given their extraordinary balance." - Robert Parker

Oh, and Wine Spectator gives the vintage a straight A!

We've got all of our bases covered here.

And the growers had something to say as well:

"2007 is without doubt a great quality vintage. Conditions in the vineyard are almost perfect - I haven't seen that for 17 years! Ripening was slow and gentle, producing fruity and straight-forward wines, showing great colour." -Cave des Vignerons de Rasteau

So, 2007 is a sure thing (and there are not too many of those around these days). 2007 was truly an amazing vintage in the southern Rhone. The grapes were harvested in total ripeness. The wines are extraordinarily balanced. And, they will be drinking well right away! And, I'll say it again. You will like the price of these bottles.

The container has just docked with my precious cargo of Olivier Cuilleras Cotes du Rhone Villages Visan le Deves and you should fill your glass.

Grab your cases fast, however, because this wine goes in and out quickly in every vintage and I'm forever calling up Olivier and saying: How fast can you label another 50 cases for me! I'm out! My container leaves in two weeks!

Olivier's vineyards are in Visan which is a commune with recognized, superior terroir which means Visan can appear on the label right after the words, Cotes du Rhone Villages. The Cuilleras family has owned the Domaine La Guintrandy since 1850. Olivier's first vintage was in 2000. He has gone from strength to strength since then.

Le Deves comes from 30-year-old vines. Olivier uses a blend of Syrah and Grenache. He does not filter his wines, which means all the flavor that is created from the juice mingling with the skins during the elevage does not actually get removed before the wine gets into the bottle and you and I get to drink it. He uses a combination of new and used barrels to age the wine.

Le Deves is a wine with great lively acidity which gives it great freshness. You'll taste lots of black cherry and currant fruit with some notes of licorice and minerals. You will be transported to the south of France. Now, that is a trip I never mind taking. Cynthia Hurley

Domaine Guintrandy Cotes du Rhone Villages Visan Les Deves 2007 Le Deves is a wine with great lively acidity which gives it great freshness. You'll taste lots of black cherry and currant fruit with some notes of licorice and minerals. You will be transported to ... more BN#268867 $17.99 On Sale $14.99 SKU00938