Crozes Hermitage Les Jalets, Paul Jaboulet Aine 1999

Made by Paul Jaboulet in France (region: Cötes du Rhöne) .

A dry, still, red wine with 12.5% alcohol tasted on 31st Dec 2004.

Grape: Shiraz

Quality: Good

Value: A Little Excessive

Cost: Usually between $26.99 - $31.99.

Looks: Orange brown with a tinge of red still giving some glow, but fairly lightish.

Smells: Quite farmy, with a little leather and dry cigars (unlit, of course!)

Feels: Medium in body

Tastes: Drying, with good firm tannins that are not too grippy but are a little dusty. Not a lot of fruit to an Aussie palate - much more of a spicy wine with Shiraz's (or Syrah, to the French) trademark pepper and a little all spice. Hot and long in length for a French wine as well.

Possible retailers: Woolworths Liquor.