Domaine Sainte-Anne Cotes du Rhone, 2001

This 2001 is approaching a lovely stage of maturity. Although only a Cotes du Rhone, it is showing better right now than most of the higher priced Sainte-Anne CDR Villages in my cellar.

Medium deep ruby, some sediment forming on the side of the bottle. Mature smells of red and black fruits, flowers and wild herbs--all nicely integrated as in a mature Chateauneuf or Gigondas. Flavors are more savory than sweet. Age has taken away the glossy sheen that this wine had in its youth. Red berries and spice--very complex flavors. The spice is more what I expect from Mourvedre, even though I believe this Cotes du Rhone is produced from Grenache, Syrah and a small amount of Cinsault. Cool and relatively low in alcohol (13%). Even better on the 2nd and 3rd nights.