'98 Phelps Le Mistral

[Innkeeper]

Love that wine. Unfortuately the price has not crept but leapt upwards. Oak in reds IMHO is related to acid. Starting with syrah, other Rhones, and malbec which are in the middle of the acidity range, on down to the merlot, cabernet sauvignon, nebbiolo range; oak in moderate doses is good. Even a very acidic but huge barbera does well with a little wood. My love for Easton Barbera to wit.