($70, Ex Cellars Wine Agency):  There are many wines that claim to be ready to drink now, but will age beautifully.  Few deliver on that promise. This is one of them. It has all of the lovely peppery components that young Syrah delivers when grown in cooler climate, such as the Côte-Rôtie.  But Guigal’s Brune et Blonde–so named because it’s a blend from vineyards on both parts, the Côte Brune and the Côte Blonde, of the Côte Rôtie–develops beautifully over decades.  The prominent peppery component that is so engaging when young morphs into a leathery meaty quality with age.  Quite lush now with just the right interplay of plumy fruit -like flavors with savory peppery notes, this wine provides immediate enjoyment because of the plush tannins that is one of Guigal’s signatures.  Lovers of Rhône wines will want this one–one of Guigal’s best–in their cellar. 95 Michael Apstein Mar 9, 2010