1998 Domaine le Couroulu Vacqueyras

[RAD]

Doing a bit of experimenting lately, without much success.

Clear deep magenta, with rose-colored edges. Somewhat floral and fairly fragrant rhone-like nose with a touch of white pepper and some tar. Fairly harsh on the palate, with some hidden fruit enveloped in bitterness. Perhaps better with food, but don't know if I'm willing to try. 60% grenache, 30% syrah, and 10% mourvedre.

Found this in a local shop for around $10, and I figured "1998 Rhone--give it a shot." I'll keep looking. WS gives it a 76 (which I later found out); they're not far off-base with this one.

RAD