Tasting Notes

92
Vinous Stephen Tanzer - 01 Nov 98
Saturated ruby color. Superripe, warm aromas of cassis, plum, chocolate and roasted meat, and livelier and more primary than those of the regular cuvee. Huge, lush, thick and layered in the mouth; impressively deep flavors of cassis and chocolate are a bit heavy for the vintage. I would have picked this blind as a '90. A bit monolithic and undifferentiated today, but this very powerful wine is still an infant. Finishes with major mouthdusting (wood?) tannins. Undeniably impressive, but could use a bit more refinement.
Drinking Date:
Rhone Vineyard Valley of Fine Wine

Rhone

The Rhône Valley in southeastern France is famed for its diverse wines. It's divided into Northern Rhône, known for Syrah-based reds and white wines from Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne, and Southern Rhône, which features blends like Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. Northern Rhône wines, such as Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage, are intense and complex, while Southern Rhône's Châteauneuf-du-Pape is known for powerful, spicy reds. Top producers include E. Guigal, Domaine du Pegau, and Domaine Jean-Louis Chave, exemplifying the region's rich winemaking tradition.