The 2005 Cotes du Rhone Rose offers abundant quantities of strawberry and framboise-like fruit in a medium-bodied, dry, crisp, pleasant style. This cuvee is bottled and released later and thus tends to age nicely for several years. this wine tends to be primarily Grenache and some Syrah. If readers can still find any, 2003 was a very strong vintage for Guigal, with the 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape meriting a solid 90 points. It is a slightly more tannic version than the 2004, with more meat, kirsch, and body. I also thought the 2003 Gigondas (89) was better than the 2004. You can’t go wrong with the 2003 Cotes du Rhone (88) as it offers loads of berry fruit.Guigal, who also owns fabulous vineyards in the Northern Rhone, is a superb blender when it comes to his Southern Rhones. He is turning out enormous quantities of high quality Cotes du Rhone reds, whites, and roses as well as fine Chateauneuf du Papes, Gigondas, and a terrific rose from Tavel.Importer: Fred Ek and Patrick Will, Ex Cellars Wine Agencies, Solvang, CA; tel. (805) 686-9153

Guigal’s 2005 rose handily eclipses most other Cotes-du-Rhone roses, boasting bold cherry fruit, hints of creamy chocolate and a rich, medium- to full-bodied mouthfeel. It’s almost a light red wine in color and character, yet stays true to its rose roots in its crisp, mouthwatering finish. Drink now. ——J.C.(11/15/2006)—— 89