Since my last report on the wines of this region, I’ve gone out of my way to search out as many more as I can find, and have yet to be disappointed. The QPR is good to excellent, even at Michigan price levels (how long will THAT last, I wonder…), and truth be told, I’ve snuck a few of these in during some early season Red Wings games, with no apparent ill affect on the more usual Red Rhône mojo. Don’t go looking for any new Red Wings-Red Languedocs features though; it just doesn’t sound right…

Nevertheless, here are eight more delectables from this expansive region, starting with, of all things, some "white stuff!"

2001 Hugues Beaulieu Picpoul de Pinet Coteaux du Languedoc, $5.99, 13% alc.: We went through a bunch of the 2000 model of this wine summer before last, and it always satisfied more than one had a right to expect for so few dollars. Well, the current model is everything that its predecessor was and more, making it another nobrainer pick for a Bastardo's Best Buy and a Wine Probation © staple. Made from the little known Picpoul grape, it's a medium straw with refreshing green apple, pear, melon and mineral flavors and aromas and zippy acidity that make it perfect not only for summer sipping, but as an all-around everyday white any time of the year. Dry, yet fruity, this is good stuff here; buy it by the case and it's even cheaper!

Imported by Kysela Pere & Fils, Lt., Winchester, VA

2000 Château La Roque Coteaux du Languedoc Pic St. Loup Cupa Numismae, 60% Syrah, 40% Mourvèdre, $17.99, 13.5% alc.: There’s a sweet oak overlay to the chocolate, plum and blackberry flavors and aromas of this deep, dark garnet that I find quite enjoyable; it’s not too tannic, with good acidity, and the rich flavors pair well with a medium rare ribeye steak, among other things. It finishes nicely, if not overlong, and while drinking pretty well now, it will improve over the next few years, at least. I’ve read some of the criticism directed towards this producer’s recent efforts, but while so-called purists may not like the level of oak treatment here, I find it rather reminiscent of something from Ridge Vineyards, so of course, I like it. A worthy successor to the wonderful ’99.

Imported by Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA

2000 Château La Roque Coteaux du Languedoc Pic St. Loup Cuvée les vielles vignes de Mourvèdre, $13.99, 13% alc.: A bit of the barnyard "adorns" the somewhat shy blackberry and plum bouquet of this deep dark garnet, but the flavors don’t just echo, they burst upon the palate with an added note of garrigue, a little chocolate and a slight green streak that evolves into a bit of bell pepper. A kiss of oak adds another element to the mix, but doesn’t dominate. Not too tannic to drink now with a little air, with good acidity and a nice finish, this just gets better and better as it opens, with more and more garrigue and just a hint of rhubarb emerging. I’ve been told that it’s not as good as the ’98 or ’99, but I wouldn’t know about that, not having tasted those. All I know is that it’s quite nice for the price, and I bought more.

Imported by Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA

2000 Ermitage de Pic St. Loup Coteaux du Languedoc Pic St. Loup, $12.99, 13.5% alc.: This dark garnet features road tar and blackberries on the nose, elements that echo loudly on the palate with a thick texture that borders on being syrupy, not in a sweet way, but in a concentrated one. As it opens, it loses some of its considerable tannic byte and gains some black cherry, plum and little hints of garrigue. It has good acidity, a nice finish and a nice future; 3-5 years should lessen a certain "cough syrup" quality that isn’t at all bad right now.

Imported by Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA

2000 Ermitage de Pic St. Loup Coteaux du Languedoc Pic St. Loup Cuvée Sainte Agnès, $16.99, 14% alc.: This dark garnet shows slightly hot black currant, plum and black raspberry aromatics that follow through on the palate where they pick up an almost exotic smoky coffee character. Scott "The Geek" Tobias added impressions of "a little caramel and a kind of oiliness to it." Dense and concentrated, with significant tannins and excellent acidity, this finishes longer than you’d expect, given the grip. The nose gradually picks up some of the smoky coffee drifting up from the glass, and some chocolate as well, and a lovely perfume develops with extended air. This doesn’t have the slightly syrupy quality that the regular model has. My final notations read, "Luscious stuff, just delicious; raspberry over caramel and coffee. Buy at least 3 and try 1 in 3-5 years."

Imported by Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA

2000 Château Saint Martin de la Garrigue Coteaux du Languedoc Bronzinelle, $17.99, 13 alc.: This pretty dark garnet exudes fragrant crushed black raspberry and blackberry character shaded with chocolate, some underbrush, a little smoke and a hint of violets. It’s remarkably approachable with a few hours of air, with a smooth, almost velvety mouthfeel, silky tannins and enough acidity to keep it lively. It could finish a little longer, but that’s not a major complaint; with air, it develops more smoke, garrigue and a little coffee. A very nice wine that will improve with 3-5 years in the cellar.

Imported by Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA

1999 Domaine des Tourelles Coteaux du Languedoc, $10.99, 13.5% alc.: This dense dark garnet is a terrific wine for the price, with earthy, leathery red currant, black cherry and plum flavors and aromas that are rich and delicious. Soft tannins and good acidity should allow this to continue to improve over the next few years, but it’s hard to keep hands off right now. Show me a red at this price from California that’s this good!

Imported by Stacole Fine Wines, Boca Raton, FL

1999 Domaine ‘l Aiguelière Coteaux du Languedoc Montpeyroux "Tradition," 13% alc.: This deep dark garnet is a blend of Syrah, Grenache and Cinsault, and it gives a big hit of road tar right away on the nose, with plum, dark berries and black cherry underneath. These follow through on the palate, with a dense, chewy mouthfeel, a good dose of tannins, good acidity and enough fruit to age and improve for 5 years, no sweat. A very solid, worthy little sister to the more prestigious Côte Doree bottling from this producer; many thanks to Chairman Moe Vedre AKA Chris Gross for gifting this bottle to us.

Imported by Vintner Select, Cincinnati, OH