2004 Côtes du Rhone AOC FC, Rhône, France

Polished nose with red and black berries and cherries, spicy oak. On the palate, too, clean and polished, dark chocolate, quite fine, still slightly astringent tannins, very modern style with scant regard for origin, chocolate and roasted notes on the finish.

Best to drink: Bis 2007. What our ratings mean