In a whole other realm compared to the 2011, the 2010 Coteaux d'Aix en Provence Alpilles is a flat out sensational wine, and I suspect the greatest vintage ever made from this estate. Coming from equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, aged two years in foudre, it’s still vibrant ruby/purple colored and offers sensational notes of crème de cassis, tobacco leaf, olive tapenade, and peppery herbs. With full-bodied richness, thrilling purity, a seamless texture, and blockbuster depth and richness, this tour de force from the South of France should continue drinking beautifully for another two decades.

A blend of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, the 2010 Alpilles is a beauty! Aged 24 months in primarily foudre (5% in barrel), it sports an inky, opaque color as well as a deep, raw bouquet of cassis, liquid herbs, olive tapenade, blood and serious minerality that continues to change and evolve over the evening. Medium to full-bodied and surprisingly elegant and pure on the palate, it possesses perfect balance, fine tannin and lively acidity that shines on the finish. Gorgeous all around, yet still a baby, it needs another year or three of bottle age and will evolve gracefully for 12-15+ years. Drink 2015-2025.

Trévallon is half Syrah and half Cabernet Sauvignon, both grown on north-facing slopes and both late harvested. In this vintage, unusually, the Cabernet Sauvignon was picked before the Syrah. Deep cherry red. Both sweet and meaty on the nose. Almost a syrupy dark-red fruit sweetness, plus a darker more rocky quality. On the palate, very meaty, broad and sweet-fruited. A bruiser but the tannins are firm and dense without aggression. Big and beefy. (JH)