Considerable amber and rust at the edge of this wine's color is misleading given the sweet, berry fruit that jumps from the glass. Tinged with scents of pepper, smoke, and Provencal herbs, this intact, full-bodied, supple Cotes du Rhone remains delicious after 26 years of aging. I purchased this wine for a song over a decade ago at an auction of the Chicago Wine Company, along with its more elderly sibling, the 1966. Not one bottle has been less than delicious. I suspect this wine has been fully mature for much of its life, so there is no reason to hold onto it should readers still have a bottle or two languishing in their cellars.Imported by Martine's Wines, San Rafael, CA; tel. (415) 485-1800, Wines of France, Alain Junguenet, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173, and Ideal Wines, Medford, MA; tel. (617) 395-3300

Considerable amber and rust at the edge of this wine's color is misleading given the sweet, berry fruit that jumps from the glass. Tinged with scents of pepper, smoke, and Provencal herbs, this intact, full-bodied, supple Cotes du Rhone remains delicious after 26 years of aging. I purchased this wine for a song over a decade ago at an auction of the Chicago Wine Company, along with its more elderly sibling, the 1966. Not one bottle has been less than delicious. I suspect this wine has been fully mature for much of its life, so there is no reason to hold onto it should readers still have a bottle or two languishing in their cellars. Imported by Martine's Wines, San Rafael, CA; tel. (415) 485-1800, Wines of France, Alain Junguenet, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173, and Ideal Wines, Medford, MA; tel. (617) 395-3300