Domaine de la Janasse Cotes du Rhone, 2005

My last bottle of this was June 8, and it has shown definite development since that time. The color has lightened just a bit and the aromas seem a little more reserved but no less beautiful: strawberries, cherries, Provencal herbs and flowers. If there's one wine that exemplifies the term "garrigue," this is it. Ripe berry flavors fill the mouth from front to back, and there's a nice layer of black pepper underneath to provide depth and structure. The finish goes on and on. This is a beautiful Grenache-oriented Cotes du Rhone that is drinking at or near its best right now.