2013 Cotes du Rhone

50% Syrah, 45% Grenache, 5% Mourvèdre. Jammy red fruit on the nose, becoming fresher and even slightly herbal on the palate. Dry, savoury and very nicely balanced – a real classic, and a good, reliable example of generic red Rhône. (RH)

To be launched in two years’ time; in January/February 2015 they will introduce the 2012. Until last year they had to pretend their CdR contained at least 50% Grenache because that was the law. After 2013’s disastrous coloure, the authorities allowed them to disclose that it actually contains 65% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 5% Mourvèdre. Very very deep purple. Quite rustic in a nice way. Still very much a cask sample. ‘You’re tasting Guigal primeur’, observed Philippe Guigal. Lots of smooth purple fruit and polish. Not as concentrated as the 2012. But very creditable. Lots of oomph. (JR)

A big success in the vintage, the 2013 Cotes du Rhone (49% Syrah, 46% Grenache and the rest Mourvedre) has lots of Syrah character in its smoked earth, pepper, dark fruits and olive-scented bouquet. Medium-bodied, with good mid-palate density and plenty of tannin, it should round into form once bottled and drink well for a 7-8 years.||The father/son team of Marcel and Philippe Guigal continue to keep their estate at the top of the hierarchy in the Rhône Valley. All the way from their inexpensive Côtes du Rhône to their top-end Côte Rôties and Hermtiage, the attention to detail and focus on quality is unmatched. Readers should also check out the recent Rhone Retrospective article I wrote that covered the Saint Joseph Vignes des Hospices, Côte Rôtie Brune et Blonde, Côte Rôtie Chateau d'Ampuis and Côte Rôtie La Mouline cuvees going back for over a decade. I said it there, and I'll say it again here, this estate is producing some of the most incredible and singular wines in the world. eRobertParker.com.December, 2014