TN: Some Rhones

[Harry C.]

• 1997 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie Château d'Ampuis - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie (10/18/2010)
  Medium garnet. Nose initially all bacon fat but changed to garrigue and plums and cloves over time. This kept changing as one went back to the glass. Taste was initially thin, but deepened with airing to be herbs and garrigue, plums in the background. Nice. (92 pts.)
• 1998 Domaine Paul Autard Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée La Cote Ronde - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (10/18/2010)
  Garnet. Nose initially was shy, but opened with time to reveal garrigue, dried herbs and a hint of anise. Taste was a melding of the above. I don't think I would wait much longer on this. (91 pts.)
• 2007 Domaine Font de Michelle Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Etienne Gonnet - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (10/18/2010)
  Deep garnet. Nose was New World oaky with blackberries and some garrigue hiding in the background. Taste was New Worldy again, with oak, vanilla, berries and herbs. Young, give it 5+ years. (91 pts.)

[DavidG]

Love the Autard. Thanks for the early data point on the Font de Michelle.