I start to get a little antsy, and a bit sweaty and then naughty and nasty thoughts of Syrah fill my head.

Paul Jaboulet Aine
1998 “Domaine de Thalabert”
Crozes Hermitage

1998 Paul Jaboulet Aine “Domaine de Thalabert” Crozes-Hermitage
Oh sweet baby, this is the goods. This wine is a full garnet/deep red in color that just lightens up slightly on the edges with distinct and potent aromas of spice and gamey black pepper. A whiff of this should always put a smile on your face. The aromas seem to stick with the spicy first impression but do start to include a bit of ripe berry as you get to your 2nd minute with your nose in the glass.
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I start to get a little antsy, and a bit sweaty and then naughty and nasty thoughts of Syrah fill my head.

It usually happens around 10 o’clock at night, when I’m starting to relax after a long day. I know something is going to fill my glass in a minute, but what is it going to be? I start to get a little antsy, and a bit sweaty and then naughty and nasty thoughts of Syrah fill my head. Yep, I need to pop a cork on something and I think it should go by the name of Crozes-Hermitage. Oh, that feels better, and now another, and now a little more. When I’m feelin’ that Rhoney, it takes about three bottles to get me over it. Of course it could happen to me again tomorrow night, but I’ll be ready.

I like to start with my Gigondas from the Southern Rhone, and then work my way up to the Northern Rhone with its full-blown Syrah’s. Tonight I choose Crozes-Hermitage from the North. I started with a 1998 E. Guigal Gigondas, then moved onto a smooth 1999 Paul Jaboulet Aine “Les Jalets” Crozes-Hermitage, then got my corkscrew into a bottle of 1998 Paul Jaboulet Aine “Domaine de Thalabert” Crozes-Hermitage.
This was a pretty good selection and not that expensive. Here is some info on two out of the three.
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