Domaine de l'Aigueliere

[kirk wallace]

I opened the '96 Cote Rousse the other evening. I hadn't had one in more than 10 years as the wine was so fiercely tannic in prior outings. It has finally softened and is now a lovely wine. Still has a stiff spine, but now the tannins have mellowed allowing its minerally and dark-fruited core to shine. I don't think most would call it elegant, but it is complex, well balanced, and at 13% abv, not at all hot or heavy. Seems to have plenty of life left as well. So, if you have any left kicking around, this Christmastime seem a fine time to open one, but then again 5 Xmases from now would no doubt also be fine.

 

[Zachary Ross]

Thanks for this. I have bottles of 97 and 98 a'waiting. Recent bottles of the 95 "regular" l'Aigueliere were super terrific: sinewy, savory, and sauvage (SSS), with lots of character.

 

[Brad Kane]

originally posted by Zachary Ross:
Thanks for this. I have bottles of 97 and 98 a'waiting. Recent bottles of the 95 "regular" l'Aigueliere were super terrific: sinewy, savory, and sauvage (SSS), with lots of character.

Yep. I still have the '95 Cote Doree and Cote Rousse bottlings and they've been terrific. My favorite vintages from the estate. Tough to find them in the US post '98 or so, as I believe that was the last vintage Skurnik brought in.