E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône

Inky ruby. Intriguing, highly perfumed aromas of red- and blackcurrant, cherry, dried flowers and tobacco, with powerful spice and black olive accents; the syrah is center stage today. Graceful and focused, with sweet dark fruit and floral pastille flavors that coat the palate. Suave and gently sweet wine, with excellent clarity, length and a lingering floral quality. There will not be a 2008 bottling of this wine because Guigal wasn’t happy with the quality of fruit in the southern Rhone. There are 3.7 million bottles of this wine to go around.

The 2007 Cotes du Rhone has finally been released, and Guigal has made his finest Cotes du Rhone to date, all from purchased juice. He and his son told me they go through thousands of samples in order to come up with this cuvee, which is based on 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, and 10% Mourvedre, all aged in tank. A deep ruby/purple wine with lots of cassis, kirsch, pepper, and even an intriguing floral note, the wine is medium to full-bodied , silky smooth, and a truly delicious, hedonistic and intellectually satisfying wine that is a remarkable bargain. It should drink well for 2–4 years, as these wines can actually last.

Mature, with a rustic edge, this shows a lightly mulled character to its the plum and currant fruit, with coffee and roasted mesquite notes on the finish. Drink now.