2004 Saint Cosme Cotes-du-Rhone. Louis & Cherry Barruol, 13.5% alc., imported by Stacole Company of Boca Raton, FL. About $10.
Opened this today and had it with warmed over roast beef. A bouquet loaded with mineral and meat and just a touch of cedar. The profile of the nose follows through on the palate. As it opens, a bit more red fruit emerges on the mid-palate, yet the taste of iron amd meat dominates. Overall, this comes across as a fairly rounded, mid-weight red with a hint of bitterness on the finish. Will have to see how it evolves when we revisit it tomorrow.
By my lights, this is an idiosycratic and atypical CdR. Apparently, it is produced by a small, family-owned operation. Very good, and will certainly pick up more when I get the chance (for drinking this fall!).
Dave Mo