Named after Alain Corcia’s father, the sublime 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Andre Eleazar boasts a deep ruby/purple color as well as notes of charcoal, grilled meats, smoked duck, blackberries, and cassis. Full-bodied and intense with a terrific finish, this Provencal-styled effort is a sublime example of Chateauneuf du Pape that will drink well for 12-15 years. Beaune resident Alain Corcia also has a portfolio of Burgundy wines, but some of his finest work is done in the Rhone Valley where his sympathies and passions seem to rise above his feelings for his Burgundy selections. His 2007 Rhone Valley portfolio includes the finest wines he has put together in the history of his firm. Corcia is a dedicated family man and labels all of his Collection Alain Corcia Chateauneuf du Papes after his family members. He also fashions a selection of the finest two barrels which he calls the Creme de la Creme. Each of the following wines represents about 200-250 cases, with the total Chateauneuf du Pape production around 1,500 cases. Corcia’s three children are represented by the Herve, Raphael, and Julie cuvees. While these wines are all similar in style, they do have minor differences. An Alain Corcia Selection, various American importers, including Premier Wine, CA; tel. (510) 237-6284, Calvert-Woodley Wines, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 966-4400, and Behind The Cellar Door Imports, Bloomfield Hills, MI; tel. (248) 925-6639

Named after Alain Corcia’s father, the sublime 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Andre Eleazar boasts a deep ruby/purple color as well as notes of charcoal, grilled meats, smoked duck, blackberries, and cassis. Full-bodied and intense with a terrific finish, this Provencal-styled effort is a sublime example of Chateauneuf du Pape that will drink well for 12-15 years. Beaune resident Alain Corcia also has a portfolio of Burgundy wines, but some of his finest work is done in the Rhone Valley where his sympathies and passions seem to rise above his feelings for his Burgundy selections. His 2007 Rhone Valley portfolio includes the finest wines he has put together in the history of his firm. Corcia is a dedicated family man and labels all of his Collection Alain Corcia Chateauneuf du Papes after his family members. He also fashions a selection of the finest two barrels which he calls the Creme de la Creme. Each of the following wines represents about 200-250 cases, with the total Chateauneuf du Pape production around 1,500 cases. Corcia’s three children are represented by the Herve, Raphael, and Julie cuvees. While these wines are all similar in style, they do have minor differences.An Alain Corcia Selection, various American importers, including Premier Wine, CA; tel. (510) 237-6284, Calvert-Woodley Wines, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 966-4400, and Behind The Cellar Door Imports, Bloomfield Hills, MI; tel. (248) 925-6639

The 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Andre Eleazar was less impressive than its siblings. The wine is softer, with a medium ruby color, and not quite the depth or richness of the other offerings. Ebullient Burgundian wine broker, Alain Corcia, who does some of his best work in the Rhone Valley, offers a solid selection of Cotes du Rhones and Chateauneuf du Papes that are both good values and very fine wines. Corcia’s Chateauneuf du Pape cuvees are strong in both 2006 and 2007. These are selections he makes from several well-known estates on the plateau of Chateauneuf du Pape that undergo slightly different blendings and upbringings. All named after family members, they are more similar than dissimilar. An Alain Corcia Selection, various American importers, including Premier Wines, CA; tel. (510) 237-6284, Calvert-Woodley Wines, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 966-4400 and Behind the Cellar Door Imports, PHONE: 248.925.6639 ? FAX: 248.203.6993

The top 2005 is the Cuvee Andre Eleazar Chateauneuf du Pape. It exhibits a deep ruby/purple color as well as notions of sweet black fruit, damp earth, licorice, and spice. Full-bodied, dry, and rich, it will be even better after several years of bottle age, and should drink beautifully for 10-12+ years. Burgundy wine broker Alain Corcia ventures into the southern Rhone to purchase wine which he then raises in old oak foudres and smaller barriques, and bottles them under assorted names. Some of the cuvees see 30% new oak, but Corcia’s overall philosophy is to keep the wood as a background element to the fruit, which is dominated by Grenache (60-70%) with the rest Syrah and occasionally Mourvedre. The 2006s are charming efforts displaying the vintage’s up-front, forward fruit, but not the structure, weight, or density of the 2005s. An Alain Corcia Selection, various American importers, including Premier Wines, CA; tel. (510) 237-6284, and Calvert Woodley Wines, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 966-4400

The top 2005 is the Cuvee Andre Eleazar Chateauneuf du Pape. It exhibits a deep ruby/purple color as well as notions of sweet black fruit, damp earth, licorice, and spice. Full-bodied, dry, and rich, it will be even better after several years of bottle age, and should drink beautifully for 10-12+ years. Burgundy wine broker Alain Corcia ventures into the southern Rhone to purchase wine which he then raises in old oak foudres and smaller barriques, and bottles them under assorted names. Some of the cuvees see 30% new oak, but Corcia’s overall philosophy is to keep the wood as a background element to the fruit, which is dominated by Grenache (60-70%) with the rest Syrah and occasionally Mourvedre. The 2006s are charming efforts displaying the vintage’s up-front, forward fruit, but not the structure, weight, or density of the 2005s.An Alain Corcia Selection, various American importers, including Premier Wines, CA; tel. (510) 237-6284, and Calvert Woodley Wines, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 966-4400