1998 Guigal Co^tes-du-Rho^ne, Rho^ne Valley

Marcel Guigal is, of course, the Angelo Gaja of the northern Rho^ne, celebrated for his single-vineyard Co^te Ro^ties “La Mouline,” “La Landonne” and “La Turque,” but he shows the same superlative winemaking abilities when he turns his hand to humbler appellations such as Co^tes-du-Rho^ne. This gorgeous violet-red blend of 50% Syrah, 30% Grenache and a small proportion of miscellaneous grapes is definitely not your usual rustic Co^tes-du-Rho^ne--it’s as polished as they come. With its moderate tannins and flavor of dark berries, wild herbs and the sun, it goes with anything from barbecue to coq au vin. An incredible wine for the price.

About $9. Available at Wally’s, 2107 Westwood Blvd., West L.A., (310) 475-0606; Wine Club, 2110 E. McFadden Ave., Santa Ana, (714) 835-6485; and Wine Exchange, 2368 N. Orange Mall, Orange, (714) 974-1454. If you can’t find this wine, have your local retailer contact the distributor, Ex Cellars Wine Agencies Inc., at (805) 686-9153.