Domaine Sainte Anne Cotes du Rhone, 2000

If you read this blog regularly, you know that this is my go-to Cotes du Rhone. It rarely disappoints. The 2000 may be a bit more advanced in its maturity than the 1998 and 1999, but it's still drinking beautifully.

The color is medium deep ruby/crimson, maybe just beginning to turn color. The nose offers a thrust of cherry/berry fruit plus Provencal herbs and a hint of mint or menthol. Typical Sainte Anne aromatics--in the Sainte Anne Cotes du Rhone, crushed blueberries are dominant; in the Villages, there are more red raspberry scents. The texture is one trait that makes Sainte Anne special. It's very silky and fills the mouth with a range of flavors. Broader, more mouth-filling but less elegant than the Villages. Long, fruit-oriented finish but with more calm-tempered spice and pepper than when it was young.

You're unlikely to see older vintages of Sainte Anne offered at close-out prices. But if you do, you probably don't need to worry about this Cotes du Rhone going over the hill. In fact, I've yet to encounter an over-mature Sainte Anne.