2004 Domaine des Lises Crozes-Hermitage

(France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage)

WOW! One of the best bottles I’ve had in a long time! The color is a beautiful, dense, inky purple that you could use to paint home interiors. The nose is a lovely bouquet of asparagus, leather, cherry, and a whiff of lavender. The asparagus came through on the palate as well. The mouthfeel was dense, round, and chewy. The initial flavors were bright red fruit, plums, and raspberries. Then on the mid palate, the leather and meat hit me. Beautifully round structure, the tannins set up a gorgeous backbone. The finish is long and lingering, with asparagus, plum, and leather again. This is a seriously masculine bottle of wine. Technical note: I let this decant for about 4 hours all told, and served it at about 55 – 60 degrees. The fruit is explosive at 55 deg, the earthy notes are more pronounced at 60.

I’m in love. I hope my wife’s not pissed at me.

94 points. $25, Buy and keep.

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