Chateau Beauchene
Châteauneuf-du-Pape "Grande Réserve"
2005
This wine has a soft, earthy nose with smoke and chocolate. It's herbaceous on the palate, with anise and pine, and it delivers dark plum fruit with a hint of cherry. The finish is a bit tannic, but vanishes quickly. It's 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre—a classic Rhôney blend. It's not as powerful as we'd expected, but it's still complex, deeply interesting, and a nice diversion for a Friday night.
Price: $31
