TN: Chateau de Fonsalette Cotes du Rhone Reserve Syrah 1997

Wayno · Post by **Wayno** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 1:52 pm

Very complex, intriguing nose of iron filings, liqueur soaked cherries, mint, old leather and the perfumed aroma of ladies' handbag, complete with lots of loose change, mostly minted in the 70s, I'd suggest. The nose is almost pinot-like. Unfortunately the palate is not quite as intriguing, with fruit obviously a bit dropped out and a tart layer of lip smacking tannins still hanging around although on balance, this is a very nice aged wine with very good length and given it's subtlety, should match up pretty well with roasted salmon tonight. In far better shape than the dried out 95 I had of this a few months back. Pleased to have one more of the 1997 and will drink it soon as I reckon this is just a few hesitating steps down the hill to decline.

Mahmoud Ali · Post by **Mahmoud Ali** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 7:43 pm

Wayno wrote "........and the perfumed aroma of ladies' handbag, complete with lots of loose change, mostly minted in the 70s, I'd suggest."

Where can I learn to write like this. Love it!

Cheers.............Mahmoud

drlev · Post by **drlev** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 2:19 am

Hey, Wayno, this is one of my favourites (albeit 2001 & 2003 vintages)! There are only a few places I have been able to score a few bottles of this from in Melbourne....may I ask where you procure yours from?

Cheers, Lev

Wayno · Post by **Wayno** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 6:06 am

Auction purchase about a year back.

Jules · Post by **Jules** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 8:00 pm

I had a Guigal 1995 Cotes du Rhone recently, which is one of the best wines I have ever had, it was still very vibrant with only a shade of that brick red colour.

I bought the rest (4) the next day at $25 a bottle, and I have only opened one more which was a bit drier but still quality.

I just bought 3 bottles of 1995 Chapoutier St Joseph's Deschants and will be interested to see. I read a review somewhere just before, which slammed it when it was tasted in 2001, however they also slammed the Guigal.

Will report...