2005 Albert Belle Crozes-Hermitage Cuvée Louis Belle

From one of my favorite producers in Crozes Hermitage, the 2005 Crozes Hermitage Cuvee Louis Belle is year in, year out, one of the most impressive wines from the appellation. Offering a pretty, forward and supple profile, it gives up lots of classic northern Rhone Syrah notes of smoked beef, olive tapenade, cassis and assorted darker berry fruit. Sexy, supple and hedonistic, it has good mid-palate depth and is ideal for drinking over the coming 5-7 years.