Domaine de la Bastide Les Figues Cotes du Rhone, 2009

A blend of 60% Syrah, 20% Grenache and 20% Carignane, this Cotes du Rhone lacks the peppery, spicy charm that I expect from a Southern Rhone, but it's a very good dinner wine. Subtle scents of cherries, flowers and a hint of vanilla. I suspect some of the wine has been aged in barriques, and that is covering up some of the pepper and spice. Compared to the d'Arenberg Stump Jump Shiraz beside it, however, this is a traditionally made wine. Tannins are much softer; smells and flavors are all fruit oriented (as opposed to the coconut of the Stump Jump). I detect a slight oxidized note on the finish. Even so, I think the wine is likely to improve over the next couple of years.