E. Guigal, Cotes du Rhone, 2013

My first taste of Guigal Cotes du Rhone was with the 1976 vintage. I bought and enjoyed a case and have been coming back to the wine periodically ever since. With a relatively high percentage of Syrah, it is always an enjoyable wine.

Deep and dark with good color saturation almost to the rim. Smells are on target and fine: red and black fruit with cassis and black pepper. Rich and full on the mid-palate. Tannins open up to reveal fruit and peppery spice. A finish that persists on the tongue and in the mind. Guigal CDR has a good reputation for aging, and this wine could go on for several years. But it is too good to pass by right now,. Better, I think, than the 2014 Guigal CDR I had a few months ago.