Two Nice N. Rhones

Over the past few days we have enjoyed two nice syrah from the Northern Rhone. With some trepidation I finally opened my '98 Guigal Cote Rotie, Brune et Blonde.
I had read several reviews that indicated that it might be past its prime. Luckily that was not the case with this bottle, though only passively stored. After a 2 hour decant (there was substantial sediment) It was very sound and totally delightful, with plenty of structure and solid fruit. Most enjoyable with pork tenderloin.
Over the past five years I have been following Cave de Tain l'Hermitage and their basic bottling of syrah as well as a few of their upper-end wines. The '09 Crozes-Hermitage was very interesting, but the '10 Crozes-Hermitage is, if anything, an even more complete wine. Available at Total Wine as well as several other retailers. Try it with Cabot "Seriously Sharp White Cheddar", a cheap date but it works.

[David M. Bueker]

I would never have believed the '98 Guigal CR BetB past its prime at 15 years of age. More often than not, when I read accounts of young/midlife wines being "over the hill" it's because of a lack of understanding of how wines age, and what they become with that age. So no shock that yours was fine. I keep eyeing the '99 in the cellar, and then look away.