Cotes du Yum -- Domaine de Givaudan 2007

I am the first to admit that I don't know much about vintages. Here are two good vintages I have been hearing about for the past week that I can pass along to you:

2005 is an excellent year for Bordeaux

2007 is an excellent year for Cotes du Rhone

I grabbed this $12.50 bottle the other day and I have just popped the cork. It's the Domaine de Givaudan 2007 Cotes du Rhone (70% Grenache and 30% Syrah). Just a quick Cotes-du-Rhone primer: This is the region of Chateauneuf du Pape, Hermitage, and the Cote-Rotie. The major grapes are Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre... most of the wines are blends... as withe the majority of Chateauneuf du Papes... even some white grapes are blended in like Roussanne and Viognier. It's a region that demands a lot of hand harvesting because of steep rocky slopes, they get whipping mistral winds.

OK, so on to this 2007:
color: deep ruby - almost purple

nose: violets, raspberry/cherry jam, red licorice, minerality

palate: spiced red fruits, licorice

I thought this one was great - I'm going to let it aearate and return to it in a few hours to see how it progresses. I'm getting a lot of alcohol - we'll see if that blows off a bit. Otherwise - for under $15 - it's a keeper!!

Cotes du Rhones are usually a safe bet on the wine list when you're looking for a full bodied wine - especially if it is a by the glass option. These puppies can usually keep for a good couple of days after being opened. Experiment away with the Cotes du Rhone!