2009 E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône

SKU #1113377 90 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

(roughly half syrah and half grenache, with a touch of mourvedre): Vivid ruby. Complex aromas of red and dark berries, Indian spices and violet, with slow-building smokiness. Taut and focused on the palate, offering lively bitter cherry and black raspberry flavors that pick up weight with air. Juicy and nicely concentrated Cotes du Rhone with strong finishing punch and lingering spiciness. (5/ 2012)

89 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

There are 3.5 million bottles of the 2009 Cotes du Rhone red, which represents an amazing value. A blend of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre, it comes primarily from the Plan de Dieu (Plain of God), which is situated northeast of Chateauneuf du Pape. This tank-aged, deep ruby/purple-colored, concentrated, fleshy, medium to full-bodied, supple offering reveals plenty of pepper, kirsch and black currant fruit intermixed with a notion of flowers. It is meant to be consumed during its first 2-3 years of life although I have tasted 10-year-old bottles that are still holding together. (10/ 2011)

Wine Spectator

A dark, roasted style, with tasty fig, currant paste and espresso flavors backed by a note of melted licorice on the finish. Shows a nicely gutsy edge too. (Web Only- 2012)