Domaine du Grand Prieur Cotes du Rhone, 2005

This Cotes du Rhone and the Jaboulet Parallele 45 below provide good proof of the strength of the 2005 vintage in the Southern Rhone. Whereas the Parallele 45 is Syrah-oriented, this Grand Prieur presents all the beauties of a Grenache-based wine.

Unlike the Jaboulet wine, the Grand Prieur has lightened a bit in color and lost the bluish tint that it had when it was first released. But that's the difference between Syrah and Grenache and not a sign that the wine is fading. The sweet Grenache aromas are still there--strawberries and currants laced with black licorice and crushed black pepper. As the wine warms and airs, it gets more aromatic by the minute. I smell lavender, basil and flowers. The ripe flavors are persistent and go well with a spicy black bean chili.