More dense and structured, yet still vibrant and very pure, the 2007 Abelard is 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah. Loaded with deep blackberry and black cherry fruit, licorice, crushed stone and hints of roasted herbs, it is full-bodied, rich and concentrated, with knockout precision and focus. It is serious stuff and still a baby. Drink it over the coming decade. Another up-and-coming estate (first vintage was 2006), Chene Bleu is located high up in the Dentelles de Montmirail, northeast of Gigondas, and covers roughly 70 acres of high altitude vineyards that are planted mostly to Syrah and Grenache, with the average age of the vines over 50 years in age. Restored by the Rolet family, with Jean-Louis Gallucci making the wines, this domaine has produced some incredible 2007s (as well as a smoking good 2010 white) that will compete with the finest efforts coming out of the Rhone Valley today. These are not cheap, but they certainly deliver on the quality front and show what’s possible from these higher elevation sites! They’re well worth checking out. - Jeb Dunnuck