Guigal Hermitage 1998

Red.

Wonderful nose of smoke, spice, herbs, potato and slow-roasted meat. Yes - like a good stew.

Linear and acid-driven, like the Chave, but deeper and more powerful thanks to a better, riper vintage. Nose repeats in the mouth, as well as red fruit (redcurrant/cranberry?). Late note of iron on the long chewy finish. No sense of effort here either, but not as harmonious as Chave.

I'm a big fan of Guigal's "basic" wines from the major appellations - no oak to speak of and usually showing considerable complexity from day 1. Reasonable $$ too.


$50