As part of my ongoing WSET diploma studies and classes, I recently tasted through a flight of Rhone wines. As this is one of my favorite wine regions, I thought I’d share the results here!

Domaine du Chêne 2006 Condrieu ($55). Intensely aromatic, with youthful peach, apricot skin, mineral, spice and floral notes that linger on a creamy, lingering finish. Very good. Condrieu/Viognier fans (like me!) will love it. Ready to drink now and over the next two or three years. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Les Vignerons de Tavel 2007 Tavel Prestige des Lauzeraies ($11). Already showing signs of developing, this rosé was unexpectedly ripe and a little too forward for me. Ripe red berry and cherry flavors and just a dash of mineral. Ready to drink now.

M. Chapoutier 2006 Côtes du Rhône Belleruche ($16). Not overly complex, but easy to drink, with moderate red fruit, toast and spice aromas and flavors that pick up a dash of minerality on the moderate finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area.

E. Guigal 2003 Châteauneuf-du-Pape ($49). The bottle that my taste came from had enough Brettanomyces going that I couldn’t get past it. It was all band aid aromas to me…

Robert Michel 2005 Cornas La Geynale ($60). A whopper of a wine, with deep, dark intensity and black pepper, currant, cocoa, spice and toast aromas and flavors that linger on a generous finish. Nothing shy here, but nice balance and structure that keeps things from being over the top. Tempting now, but best from 2010-2016. Locate this wine online or in your area.