WOW!

I had this at Fleur de Lys last night (I'll post a review in a bit) and it was amazing. Quite young, aromas of super-black berries along with a hint of licorice, toasty oak, scorched earth, and more black fruits (maybe with a hint of raspberry).

On the palate this wine feels medium-bodied but the flavor intensity is astounding. There is a seemless transition of flavors from nose to palate and there is still plenty of tannin here that hasn't been perfectly integrated yet, but the fruit bursts through it with about 4 hours of air (and plenty of glass swirling). The finish is very long with fine tannin. This wine reminded me of the 2000 Sandrone Barolo Cannubi Boschis, but the fruit was a bit darker.

This is the finest example of Cote Rotie I've tried, and, perhaps, the greatest Rhone I've had -- and it reminded me why I often claim the Northern Rhone is my favorite wine region. I'm not usually a Guigal fan, but for $90 at Premier Cru, I'm planning on getting more of this. 95 points with proper breathing/decanting now. Maybe, in a few years, even more.

a

Good to hear it is showing well. Have had the 98 a few times but have only one bottle of the 99 from RWC so am waiting to open it.

Jay.

Glad to hear this is drinking nicely...I have a few bottles and have been wondering if I should crakc one soon or wait (so far I have chosen wait...but I am itching to try one)...I also have one bottle of the 1998 which I assume I should drink first. Still - would you say the 99s could benefit from a few more years? And if ou only had a few would you drink now, soon or hold for a while?

Welcome to VC, Winoman.

Thanks - I've been an on and off lurker since the beginning - particualrly with the tasting notes. I had been on Wine Spectator (and I may rejoin there one day) - but the infighting really turned me off...still I've been drinking and accruing wine as usual...though have been going through a big (microbrew) beer drinking phase of late - under the influence of a new neighbor (been popping a few corks as well of course...)

Winoman,

Welcome!

The wine is so good ringht now that it would be hard for me to quarrel with anyone who decided to start popping the corks. (Plus, after all, I did! ) Still, I would bet that this wine will be even better in 2 or 3 years and will last a dozen or more years beyond that. So, I guess I would say that if you want to know what this wine is like young, you won't only be satisfying your curiosity by popping it, you'll have a terrific wine drinking experience as well. On the other hand, if you're aiming for maximum wine quality leaving aside curiosity factors, I would wait until late 2006 before opening your first bottle.

a

Well whiner can't beat that rec - eh? Great now - and great in a few...I like that...well perhaps I may just open one for a special occasion...I ussually do a bunch of nice wines for our family Thanksgiving get together...this one might be a real eye opener! I ussually try to open some old standards (Cali Cabs, a Pinot w/Turkey dinner...etc) as well as something a bit different...and not everyone is all that familiar with what is achievable with Syrah in Northern Rhone - Cotie Rotie in particualr (my fave!) - shame that...

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not everyone is all that familiar with what is achievable with Syrah in Northern Rhone - Cotie Rotie in particualr (my fave!) - shame that...

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Amen to that! The one piece of advice I'd give is to open this at least 4 1/2 hours (but better 6+ hours) before drinking, or else decant it for a few hours first.

a

I have a 97 that is going to be drank very soon. Looking forward to it based off a friends experience and these comments.