Let's taste some wines from the Rhone.

The Pierre Gonon 2015 St. Joseph showcases the potential of this appellation. The wine has elderberry, blackberry, and bacon notes, a full body, fruit sweetness, structure, and is mineral, balanced, elegant, long, clearly recognizable as a Syrah, and slightly smoky. 18.8/20 points.

The Rene Rostaing 2015 Côte-Rôtie La Landonne is spicy, animal, phenolic, and has black pepper notes. It is full-bodied, initially tannic like a Nebbiolo, with structure, extract, and great potential. It is long, modern, and needs a large glass, like a Zalto Burgundy. The wine needs plenty of air and is actually too young. 19.5/20 with potential for more.

The Guigal 2012 Côte-Rôtie Château d'Ampuis is animal, with some charcoal, light fruit sweetness, a touch of oak, salami, and bacon. It is full-bodied, dense, balanced, complex, and long. 19/20 points.