1998 Cotes du Rhone Le Gramenon

This wine is a noteworthy Cotes du Rhone that is reasonably priced for such high quality. Among the most natural wines made in France, it is bottled with neither fining nor filtration, and possess high levels of CO2 because the SO2 levels are extremely low. As the sign on the winery says, it is "vin du raisin," and is uncommonly natural, which is Gramenon's guiding philosophy. The introductory 1998 Cotes du Rhone Le Gramenon is a tasty, medium-bodied, fresh, juicy, black cherry and spice-scented offering. Exhibiting no hard edges, it is destined to provide delicious, uncomplicated drinking for 3-5 years. This is the wine of a rogue genius in the northern, colder terroirs of the southern Rhone Valley. It is not to be missed. Importer: Robert Kacher Selections, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 832-9083