1998 Le Caillou Cotes du Rhone

This producer also makes a white and a rose wine. Ensure your merchant has the color you are looking for.

Critic tasting note: "(2003) It is great to still find wine from the terrific 1998 southern Rhône on the shelves. This estate is a neighbour to Château de Beaucastel, and this is a typical blend of grapes based around Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre. The nose is cedary and spicy, with distinct cracked black pepper notes, and a crisp quality of black fruit. It is aromatic, with little floral nuances, and a touch of peanut shell. The palate has lots of juicy, vervy, punchy raspberry and black fruit, with some deeper bramble qualities and a crisp tannin/acid balance. Lip-smacking and well-framed by tannins, this has a few years improvement in it yet in my opinion." - 88/100, Tom Cannavan