1996 Cote Rotie

From the first mise , which took place last spring; the cuvée imported by Kermit Lynch is normally bottled later. Medium red-ruby. Moderately ripe aromas of mocha, pepper and redcurrant. Spicy, peppery and vinous, though not currently showing a lot of depth or texture. In a closed phase currently; "a bit dominated today by the bitterness of syrah," says winemaker Patrick Jasmin. Decent length.