Revealing the herbaceous green pepper and high acidity of the vintage is the 1996 Crozes-Hermitage La Guiraude. This offering reveals tangy acidity and a pinched finish, but an attractive dark ruby/purple color, and smoky, red currant and cassis aromas intermixed with notes of Provencal herbs. Medium-bodied and moderately tannic, it should be drunk earlier rather than later.Importer: A Christopher Cannan Selection, Europvin USA, Watertown, MA; tel. (617) 924-7620