2007 Perrin & Fils Côtes du Rhône Villages

(France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages)

So far on this 2007 Southern Rhone tour out of my cellar, this has been the clear winner. I decanted this and tasted it at various stages over 2 days.

Tight on the nose with the pop-n-pour, so I can see how a number of previous raters went low on this wine. It seemed downright boring at first. Over the next few hours it begins to release a dense blanket of strawberries, blackberries, and leather. The mouthfeel is very dense, like velvet. There is a creaminess that coats the palate and prepares you for a thick layer of jam and pepper, with just a hint of garrigue lingering in the background. It feels very round, with a very smooth transition to a bacon fat and strawberry finish.

90 Points, Buy and Keep, $15.