Guigal Cotes du Rhone 2003

87 points

Southern Rhone, France. 13%

Surprisingly approachable and not at all baked or hefty. Very well handled fruit given the extraordinarily hot vintage. There is tannin certainly but it isn't immediately obvious. The wine is already drinking well, and will presumably gain a little complexity over the next 5 years.

Slightly sweeter than the Crozes-Hermitage (reviewed below), also more body.

If you want a $20 French wine that won't disappoint your guests (esp those not familiar with French wines) then this is your wine. Very good for what it is, though I am a little puzzled by its popularity in Australia (where there are similar but more flavourful competitors).