The 1999 Cote Rotie is a blend of purchased wine from such well-known hillside vineyards as Les Roziers Les Grandes Places Viaillere and Champin. This 500-case cuvee of 100% Syrah offers a classic perfume of bacon fat licorice smoked herbs tapenade blackberries and creme de cassis. This wine possesses an unctuous texture as well as fabulous ripeness adequate acidity and sweet unobtrusive tannin. It should drink well for 15+ years. It is a brilliant Cote Rotie! A Patrick Lesec Selection various American importers including Associate Wine Distributors of Napa Atlantic Importing Co. Newton MA; tel. (617) 965-2933 Fine Vines LLC Maywood IL; tel. (708) 343-5901 Stacole Imports Boca Raton FL; tel. (561) 998-0029 and New Castle Imports Myrtle Beach SC; tel. (843) 497-8625

Impressive. Inky-black full-bodied exciting with supple texture great minty blackberry black pepper flavors. This is deeply satisfying with the sort of power that sets your taste buds afire. More fruit than terroir however. Drink now through 2007. 500 cases made. –PM