E. Guigal Cotes Rotie Brune et Blonde, 1990

This wine hardly qualifies as a budget wine, but it was a budget wine when I bought it--on sale in half bottles at a price lower than the going market price at the time. I probably paid $10 to $12 per 375 ml bottle. A 750 ml bottle now sells for $60 to $75.

I see significant bricking on the taste-size pour; from a full glass, however, it is a beautiful deep ruby with only slight signs of bricking at the rim. Mature Syrah, somewhat funky. Dark cherries, herbs and flowers. Both the smells and flavors are savory rather than ripe. Very concentrated flavors. Demands your full attention. Very enjoyable wine, but only if you are familiar with and like Northern Rhone Syrah. No Aussies; this is not Shiraz.