CAIRANNE, FRANCE — Across many parts of wine-producing France, a lively debate is under way between partisans of two great vintages, 2009 and 2010. Some prefer the ripe, plump, charming 2009s, others the structured, sterner, more “classic” 2010s.

But in one area, the southern part of the Rhône Valley, there is no argument. Even though there’s nothing wrong with 2009, 2010 is clearly better, maybe even one of the best vintages ever for the great red wines of the region.

That’s saying something, because the southern Rhône has been on a roll. Over the past decade, only two vintages, 2002 and 2008, were disappointing, and most of the rest were at least very good. One, 2007, was praised to the heavens.

Now, many growers say their 2010s, only recently bottled, are superior to the 2007s. After recent visits to the southern Rhône, taking in the most famous winemaking town in the region, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and two lesser-known villages, Rasteau and Cairanne, I wouldn’t necessarily disagree.