A Superannuated Le Mistral

Joseph Phelps “Le Mistral”
California - 1998
$30
(51% Grenache, 21% Syrah, 9% Mourvedre, 7% Alicante Bouschet, 7% Zinfandel, 3% Carignane, and 2% Petite Syrah)
Shane’s Notes

The aroma is dominated by spices (pepper) and strawberry. It smelled like it would be fabulous. Unfortunately, the aroma was deceiving. The flavor palate was absolutely flat. We had to really concentrate to detect some faint flavors of strawberry and white pepper. The finish was clean and dry. We can only surmise that this one had too much bottle age and was past its peak. The Le Mistral should probably be consumed within a few years of bottling.