2003 E. Guigal Cotes du Rhone

[wondersofwine]

13% alcohol by volume
This wine started out with too many "t's"--too tart and too tannic. It seemed to improve the second night, sipping it with smoked Gouda cheese, but I can't say I was entranced with it. It cost about $13 and was being hyped by the wine shop. They report that it is generally half Syrah, much of it from the Northern Rhone and that Robert Parker calls it the best Guigal Cotes-du-Rhone EVER, saying it is "a knockout, loaded with fruit and body." I don't know--do you suppose my bottle suffered heat damage in France before shipping? I know Carolina Wine Company is very careful about how their wine is shipped across the ocean and it is stored in a 55 degree F. warehouse once delivered to them. Has anyone else tried this 2003 CdR (maybe Bucko on his travels?)

[This message has been edited by wondersofwine (edited 03-28-2006).]