Looking at the Saint Joseph whites, the 2012 Saint Joseph Saint-Pierre is 100% Roussanne that spent 9 months in 20% new oak. Gorgeously perfumed and rich, yet also classy and never putting foot wrong, it gives up notions of ripe apples, poached pears, honeysuckle and vanilla creme to go with a medium to full-bodied, textured feel in the mouth. My notes say "smoking good." Enjoy it over the coming year or three. Yves releases two cuvees from Cornas, and I found the quality consistent in 2012, yet preferred the Vires release by a fair margin in 2011. There are three Saint Joseph cuvees in red: the Les Pierres Seches, which comes from sand and granite soils around the town of Chavanay; the L'Amarybelle, which comes from high density, terraced plantings of older vines; and lastly, the Les Serines, which comes from the oldest vines of the estate and is the only cuvee to see new oak. Importer: Rosenthal Wine Merchant Ltd., Pine Plains, NY; tel. (800) 910-1990

The 2006 St.-Joseph St.-Pierre is brilliant. A 100% Roussanne cuvee, this exhibits the tropical, exotic nose of lychee, honeysuckle, and rose water followed by smoky, earthy notes in a full-bodied, expansive style with good acidity. Importer: Rosenthal Wine Merchant Ltd., Pine Plains, NY; tel. (800) 910-1990

The 100% Roussanne cuvee, the 2000 St.-Joseph Coteau St.-Pierre, exhibits a tell-tale perfume of rose water intermixed with honey, roasted nuts, and a touch of caramel. Fat, medium-bodied, and expansive, it will drink well for 2-3 years. Although the 2000 whites are lighter and less intense than usual, they remain tasty. Importer: Neal Rosenthal, Select Vineyards, Shekomeko, NY; tel. (800) 910-1990

The 100% Roussanne cuvee aged in 100% new oak, the 1999 St.-Joseph Coteau St.-Pierre, exhibits a light gold color, exotic, honeyed, tropical fruit aromas and flavors, and admirable fat and intensity. It should be consumed over the next 2-3 years. Importer: Neal Rosenthal, Select Vineyards, Shekomeko, NY; tel. (800) 910-1990

The lavishly rich 1998 St.-Joseph Coteau St.-Pierre (100% Roussanne aged in small barriques of which 50% are new) is a full-bodied, superb example of this varietal. It boasts sumptuous aromas of rose petals, honeysuckle, and sweet, buttery almonds. Rich, concentrated, full-bodied, and powerful, this is an impressively-endowed, classic wine to drink over the next 2-3 years, although it may last even longer. Importer: Neal Rosenthal, Select Vineyards, Shekomeko, NY; tel. (800) 910-1990