Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone Les Deux Albions 2001

"One of my favorite cuvees each year is the Cotes du Rhone Les Deux Albions, Louis Barruol's hommage to Marcel Guigal's Cote Rotie La Mouline. There are 3,000 cases of the 2001, a tank-fermented and aged blend of 50% Syrah, 15% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre, 10% Carignan, and the rest the white varietal, Clairette. The latter component gives the wine an exotic honeysuckle note to go along with the creme de cassis, black cherries, licorice, and spice. Deep, lush, medium to full-bodied, and gorgeously fruity, it is about as sexy as a Cotes du Rhone can be. I like to call it "une petite La Mouline of the south." Enjoy it over the next 2-3 years. If you have not yet tried the wines of St.-Cosme, you're missing the boat."
-Wine Advocate