2003 Cotes du Rhone

The 2003 Cotes du Rhone is performing well, tipping the scales at 14.5% natural alcohol. A classic example of Provencal wine with kirsch liqueur intermixed with roasted herbs and sweet licorice, it is a beauty – elegant, dense, rich, concentrated, but silky smooth. Drink it over the next 5-6 years. P.S. I asked Daumen to indicate the yields of his vintages since 1998. Interestingly, he exceeded 30 hectoliters per hectare in 1998 and 1999, fell below that in 2000, and then his two smallest crops were 28 hectoliters per hectare in 2003 and 25 hectoliters per hectare in 2004. Obviously, this is for the entire estate and not just his Chateauneuf du Pape holdings, which are much smaller. Importer: A Christopher Cannan Selection, various American importers including Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300 and Diamond Wine Merchants, Oakland, CA; tel. (510) 567-9897