Domaine Sainte-Anne Cotes du Rhone Villages Saint Gervais Les Rouvieres, 2010

Compared to the Elyse Le /Courbeau beside it at the table, this CDR Villages comes from the opposite direction. The Elyse wine is modeled after a Grenache-dominant (90% Grenache, 10% Syrah) Chateauneuf du Pape; the Domaine Sainte Anne (70% Mourvdre, 15% Grenache, 15% Syrah), more like a Bandol. wine.

Bright ruby, much darker than the Elyse. Black fruit dominates in this wine, and it's relatively big and powerful. Mourvedre violets and spice. Rich fruit in an elegant package. I am a long-term fan of Domaine Sainte-Anne, and this is my favorite DSA cuvee. Not a Chateauneuf du Pape, but in many ways a more enjoyable wine.