2009 St. Joseph, Domaine Barou:
From a small organic estate with St. Joe, Condrieu, and various red and white VDP wines. Nice glass staining color with a purple edge. Not too aromatic, but does develop with a couple hours in the glass. There are tannins, but probably a bit softer and less peppery than the '08. Some notes on CT decry the oak (10% new, per Barou website), but I don't find it obtrusive. There is a nice balance with pepper, blood, light leather and cocoa notes. Not one for the ages, but drinking well now. $20, 13% abv.