Domaine du Val des Rois (R Bouchard) Valreas, 2007

Nine generations of the Bouchard family have been wine growers in the Southern Rhone since the 1600s, and the winemaking here has always been very traditional. The dark, bluish tints I see when I first pour this wine suggest to me, though, the use of barriques--a modern twist. I did not notice this in the 2004 bottles I have been drinking recently. Blueberries and plums. Very peppery and spicy. Medium full body. Less ripe than most 2007 Southern Rhones I have tasted. But not as complex as the 2004 Val des Rois.