Joseph Phelps has consistently done a good job with their Le Mistral offering, which is aged primarily in used oak. It represents an amalgam of many different grapes, predominately Grenache backed up by Syrah, Mourvedre, Petite-Sirah, Alicante Bouchet, and Carignan. The percentages vary from vintage to vintage. The dark ruby-colored 1998 Vin du Mistral Le Mistral (51% Grenache, 21% Syrah, 9% Mourvedre, 7% Zinfandel, 7% Alicante Bouchet, 3% Carignan, and 2% Petite-Sirah) reveals the vintage's narrow texture as well as light style. Foursquare and simple, it offers straightforward berry fruit, pepper, earth, and herb, but not much expansion on the palate or length. Drink it over the next 2-3 years. Tel. (707) 963-2745; Fax (707) 963-4831