Vidal-Fleury's 2009 Cotes du Rhone Rose, a sleeper selection made from a blend of 50% Cinsault (which accounts for the fabulous aromatics) and the rest Syrah and Grenache. The 2009 Cotes du Rhone Rose, which is less expensive, is just a knock-out. Loads of strawberry, cherry, and plum notes jump from the glass of this exuberant, crisp rose. Both of these are best drunk over the next year for their fruit and perfume. Anyone who has visited the Cote Rotie recently probably couldn't help but notice the extraordinary new winemaking facility of Vidal-Fleury, situated at the foot of some of the finest Cote Rotie vineyards on the Cote Blonde. Guigal, who has owned Vidal-Fleury for 26 years, seems to have finally gotten this firm where the quality of the wines is first and foremost. Of course, the Maison Vidal-Fleury is one of the oldest in the entire Rhone Valley, with its history dating back to 1781. It was first located at the entrance to the little one-horse village of Ampuis, and the historic building is still there. Most of the wines are negociant blends, including the southern Rhone wines. With their new facility and a complete make-over of the winemaking team, quality has jumped significantly, and this is now clearly a negociant to keep an eye on for both quality and value. Much of this is to the credit of father and son Marcel and Philippe Guigal as well as the new Director General of Maison Vidal-Fleury, Guy Sarton de Jonchay.Importer: William Deutsch and Sons, White Plains, NY; tel. (914) 251-WINE