The 1998 Cotes du Rhone, made from 80% Grenache, 15% Syrah, and 5% Cinsault, from vines planted between 1933 and 1946, is a beautiful example of how much flavor, character, and complexity can be packed into a Cotes du Rhone. A deep ruby/purple color is accompanied by a sweet nose of black fruits, pepper, licorice, seaweed, and spice. Ripe, with dense, jammy black cherry fruit, smoke, earth, and herbs, it is a rich, medium to full-bodied, deep effort. Tannin in the finish suggests this is a Cotes du Rhone that will hold up for 8-10 years. Importers: Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173, and Peter Weygandt, Weygandt-Metzler, Unionville, PA; tel (610) 486-0800