1 | Wine | Red Rhone Blend, $20 to $50 | Page 4

"The 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Tradition (80% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre and the rest Syrah, Cinsault and Counoise) is a beauty. The Tradition has slightly more Mourvedre in the final blend than the Cuvee Girard. Both are dark ruby/purple-colored, full-bodied wines displaying lots of garrigue, black cherry, black currant and earthy flavors, good richness, sweet tannins and abundant glycerin as well as opulence." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"Complex, heady scents of dark berry liqueur, Asian spices, potpourri and minerals. Stains the palate with intense blackberry and cherry flavors accented by white pepper and allspice. Finishes sappy and incisive, with outstanding clarity and persistence."

"A lush, flattering style, offering crushed plum, blueberry and raspberry fruit woven nicely with melted licorice snap and smoky tea notes, followed by a creamy finish."

"Sexy, high-pitched aromas of raspberry preserves, blackberry, minerals and pungent flowers. Concentrated but not at all heavy; gently sweet red and dark berry flavors show a seamless quality and are lifted by juicy acidity. Open-knit and suave, finishing with silky tannins and good clarity."

"This beauty is ideal for drinking over its first decade of life. The 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape exhibits plenty of forest floor, sweet kirsch liqueur and raspberries, medium to full body, and a luxurious mouthfeel, with silky tannins and a long, heady finish." 90-92 points, reviewed by Robert Parker.

"A very juicy, unctuous, fruit-driven style, with flattering plum, warm linzer torte and boysenberry fruit melded together and backed by lively anise and sweet spice notes. There's a good sappy feel through the finish. For fans of the not-shy style."

"Blended of Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro, the 2008 The Steading gives a deep garnet color and aromas of warm mulberries and dried plums with an undercurrent of spice box, sandalwood and kirsch. Very full and generous in the mouth with a good amount of enlivening acidity, it is displaying mature, dried berry and spice flavors textured with a medium level of velvety tannins and finishing long. Drinking now, it should remain good to 2016+."

"Bright red. Raspberry, cherry and allspice on the sexy, highly perfumed nose. Offers an array of red fruit and floral pastille flavors that become deeper with air, The floral quality comes back strong on the finish, which features fine-grained tannins and a lick of peppery spices."