2000 Domaine Les Aphillanthes Côtes du Rhône Villages Cuvée des Galets

The dense purple-colored 2000 Cotes du Rhone Villages Cuvee des Galets (a blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 20% Mourvedre from tiny yields) is a blockbuster Cotes du Rhone revealing sweet, jammy blackberry and cherry fruit, a succulent, open-knit texture, full body, and wonderful opulence. It is capable of evolving for a decade. The wine is bottled without fining and filtration. As I wrote last year, this is one of the discoveries of the southern Rhone. Although this is an expensive Cotes du Rhone, it represents a great value because it is comparable to the finest Gigondas and Chateauneuf du Pape. It is a stunningly concentrated, brilliant example from owner Daniel Boulle. Importer: Peter Weygandt, Weygandt-Metzler, Unionville, PA; tel (610) 486-0800