1998 Cote Rotie

Nearly all of Garon's wine is made from the Cote Blonde, the southern half of the Cote Rotie hillside. This is a finesse, fruit-driven, superficial effort that is charming and accessible. Once past the overlay of attractive black cherry and smoky raspberry fruit (the wine is aged completely in barrel, of which a modest percentage is new), there is not much depth or length. Consume it over the next 6-8 years. This is a young grower who is worth following. Importer: Dan Kravitz, Hand Picked Selections, Warrenton, VA; tel. (540) 347-9400.