2003 Andezon CÔTES DU RHÔNE (France)

This supposed 100% Syrah Côtes du Rhône is nothing to write home about. Dark ruby color. Medium intensity nose: smoky balsa wood, peanuts, lemons, spicy strawberries. Medium-bodied, crisp, fairly intense flavors of straightforward fruit and earth. Fairly high acidity, particularly for a wine from such a hot year. But not the level of richness I expected from a Rhône wine imported by Eric Solomon, who is probably my favorite importer. 84. Would be OK with pizza or simple pasta dishes. Was $13.44 at Spec's on Smith.