E. Guigal Red Rhone Blend Gigondas 2009

Ruby-red. Musky, complex aromas of raspberry preserves, smoked meat, rose oil and smoky herbs. Dense and fleshy, offering fully ripe red fruit flavors and an exotic note of candied flowers. Quite dense, in the style of the vintage, with ripe red fruit clinging on the finish.

Perfumed, with nicely integrated grip that focuses the lovely mulled plum, black currant, licorice snap and black tea notes. The long, silky finish features a lingering hint of iron. Drink now through 2014.

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. Drink now.

The best Gigondas from Guigal that I have ever tasted will certainly be the 2007, which is still aging in tank and large wood vats. His general blend here is about 55andndash;60% Grenache, around one-third Mourvedre and the rest Syrah. This remarkable Gigondas is scheduled to be bottled within the next several months. Dense plum/purple, with notes of garrigue, crushed rock, blueberry, and black raspberries, the wine is full-bodied, with stunning purity, a multi-layered texture, and a long finish. It should drink nicely for 10andndash;15+ years.

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.

Full with a long finish and plenty of elegance and finesse due to the well balanced tannins and fruit.