Guigal's regular cuvee of 1988 Brune et Blonde is very fine. It has admirable levels of sweet, voluptuous, smoky, raspberry fruit, intermingled with scents of new oak, bacon fat, and flowers. In the mouth it exhibits the up-front, precocious softness and lushness of the 1985, but with more complexity, structure, and tannin in the finish. Anticipated maturity: now-2008. Last tasted 12/95.

Well-focused and harmonious, not as big as 1989 and '90, showing black cherry, licorice and pepper notes in a lean, firm style. Drinkable now, but better in 1997.--Guigal Cote-Rotie vertical. -TM