($19, Vineyard Brands): Rasteau is one of the 18 villages in the southern Rhone Valley that are capable of making more distinctive wine than the average for the region.  Hence, it and the other 17 carry the village name on the label–as well as the appellation, Côtes du Rhône Villages–as opposed to the more anonymous, ‘Côtes du Rhone’ designation.   A blend of mostly Grenache, 80%, along with Syrah, it has a slightly tarry, rustic edge at this stage.  Sweet fruit emerges in the finish, indicating to me it just needs a little time–a year or so more–in the bottle before pulling the cork. 89 Michael Apstein Apr 17, 2007