Delas Saint Esprit Cotes du Rhone, 2007

This is the kind of Cotes du Rhone I would expect from what Robert Parker called the vintage of his lifetime. It seduces you with lush, ripe fruit smells and flavors and then rewards you with far more depth and complexity you would expect from a wine of such a modest appellation. Unfortunately, nearly all of the 2007s I have tasted have given far more of the former than the latter.

Deep, dark, lustrous./ Ripe and luscious. Blue plums and red berries. The cuvee is 75% Syrah, and it shows: lavender, herbs and cassis. Yes, good cassis and also Syrah black pepper. / Teases the tongue with a full range of flavors. Ripe fruit in the middle and pleasing acidity at the edges to keep it interesting. Finally, a long, ripe finish of red raspberry-like fruit with the proper amount of black pepper. I've liked this wine from my first taste several years ago, and it just keeps getting better. That's what I expect from a better than average vintage.