Here are some great buys in French wines from Esquin Wine Merchants in Seattle and The Thief Bottle Shop in Walla Walla.

From the Esquin December Hot Sheet

2019 Domaine Huet Vouvray Sec, Clos du Bourg ($43.99 - Regular $55) - Huet is one of the best producers of Vouvray (Chenin Blanc). From the choicest vineyard, this shows a brilliant lemon-gold color and floral aromas of Anjou pear, white peach, star fruit, lemon custard, pear blossoms, clover and spiced white incense. The flavors are precise and penetrating, laser-like, with multilayered white fruits that are accented by grape skins, peach stones, chalk and saline minerals. The intensity increases on the back with poire and pêche liqueurs and touches of hazelnut, brioche and lemon zest, followed by a penetrating, racy dry finish (most Vouvray is Demi Sec). Will age beautifully for up to 10 years. 19.5/20 points.

2018 Domaine Audebert & Fils Bourgeuil ($16.99 - Regular $30) - This is a super buy in Loire Valley Cabernet Franc. It shows a deep purplish ruby color and enticing aromas of raspberry, cherry, black currant, crushed roses, mulberry, tobacco, rosemary and sweet incense. The flavors are thick and fruit forward with considerable old vine depth, accompanied by licorice, cocoa, French roast and calcareous earth. The saturation continues on the back with pressed berries, roasted nuts, framboise and crème de cassis liqueurs and soft graphite, followed by a deliciously juicy moderate tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.

2018 Michel Sarrazin Bourgogne Pinot Noir, Vielles Vignes ($20.99 - Regular $30) - From a producer in the Côte Chalonnaise, this displays a brick red color and attractive aromas of strawberry, cherry, cassis, crushed roses, lilac, mulberry and spiced sweet incense. The flavors are deliciously ample yet focused, with notes of red licorice, baker's chocolate, medium roast coffee beans and limestone earth. The old vine character comes through on the back with macerated fruits, roasted nuts, crème de cassis and mocha, followed by a chewy yet stingy moderate tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.

2016 Crous St. Martin Cairanne, "Les Groupilles" ($17.99 - Regular $25) - From the South Rhone Valley, this is composed of 25% each of Grenache, Syrah, Carignan and Mourvèdre, this offers a deep ruby color and and a rich, spicy nose of wild raspberry, bayberry, black currant, black roses, dark tobacco, lavender, herbs, pepper and incense. The flavors are bold and direct, with red and black fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa, roasted coffee beans and earth. The saturation continues on the chewy textured back with roasted berries and nuts, charcoal and a bit of leather, followed by a spicy smooth tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.

The Thief Gigondas-Vacqueyras Pack

The Thief is offering this three bottle Rhone wine Holiday package for $125 which costs $152 when purchased at regular prices.

2018 Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Vielles Vignes ($38) - Deep ruby colored, this wine emits rich, smoky aromas of raspberry, plum and black currant with scents of black roses, mulberry, tobacco, garrigue (lavender and herbs) and spiced incense. The flavors are thick and generous with red and black fruits that are intermixed with licorice, baker's chocolate and Dentelles de Montmirial granite and earth. On the back the wine thickens further with sensations of roasted berries and nuts and touches of leather and charcoal, followed by a chewy tannin finish. 18.5+/20 points.

2016 Les Pallières Gigondas, "Racines" ($49) - This comes from a collaboration of the Brunier and Lynch families. A blend of 80% Grenache, 8% Syrah, 7% Cinsault and 5% Clairette, it exhibits a deep ruby color and an intoxicating nose of wild fruits - raspberries, blueberries, black currants - with scents of crushed roses, lavender, tobacco, dusty herbs and spiced incense. The flavors, as well, are dramatic with bold black and blue fruits that are infused with licorice root, cocoa, black tea and Montmirial minerals. The penetration continues on the back with macerated fruits, roasted nuts, creme de cassis and charcoal, followed by a lingering chewy tannin finish. 19/20 points.

2016 Sang de Cailloux Vacqueyras, Cuvée de Lopy ($65) - From 55-65 year-old vines and composed of 75% Grenache and 25% Syrah, this shows a deep ruby color and intoxicating aromas of raspberry, black currant, plum, black roses, dark sweet tobacco, garrigue, anise and spiced incense. On the palate, the flavors are amazingly rich and full bodied with definite old vine character, with layers of red and black fruits that are infused with licorice, dark cocoa, French press coffee and minerals. On the back, the wine turns thick and chewy with roasted berries and nuts, mocha, creme de cassis and leather followed by a lingering ripe tannin finish. 19+/20 points.