It is our usual practice to consume Cotes du Rhones in their first 5 years of life. However, with the tumult of the past year, certain wines have slipped through the cracks. As a consequence, we found ourselves opening up a bottle of the '98 Dom. des Girasoles Cotes du Rhone last night with dinner.
nose: intense dark cherry and herbs palate: superb intensity, kirsch, good backbone and full body
This was a wine still in its prime (and a good accompaniment to slow-smoked pork rib BBQ) and could have passed for a minor CdP. Produced by Paul Joyet in Rasteau, it had far more guts and character than a run-of-the-mill CdR. Of course, it also reflects the quality of the '98 vintage in the S. Rhone. It makes me wish that I had kept more '98 CdRs in the cellar...
I also opened a bottle of the '99 Dom du Gros Noré Bandol today. A semi-local retailer's been selling it as "buy one bottle, pay 1¢ for the next" -- a deal I can't refuse. :-)
color: dark purple-red with no visible browning at the edges nose: a big whack of dark plums and stones palate: big, rich, plums, briery, good structure and soft tannins
Still a lot of life left in this one, but it has hit its stride. It is drinking beautifully now and will easily last for another 5 years at least.
Mark Lipton