La Truffiere: Bigger than a Village
La TruffièreCôte du Rhône Villages2004 I was roasting chicken on a bed of leeks, carrots, lavender, and rosemary, so I asked my husband to…
France
Blood from Stones
Domaine le Sang des CaillouxCuvée Floureto2001 This beautiful Vacqueyras is still inky purple despite its age. When first poured it offers a sweaty funkiness,…
Clear and True
J. M. BoillotMontagny 1er Cru2007 We poured this white Burgundy into a Bordeaux glass, thinking it could take it. It can. Straw gold and…
Little Mars
Mas du SoleillaPetit Mars2006 This Coteaux du Languedoc AOC is 100% Syrah. It reaches up to you with a spicy, peppery nose suggesting violets…
A Drouhin White
Joseph DrouhinPouilly-Fuissé2007 This white Burgundy smells of fresh linen and herbs. On the palate it's restrained, with lots of minerality, delivering a full Chardonnay…
Straw and Hay
MoillardDomaine du Château d'Eau Syrah et Cinsault2008 This vin de pays d'Oc is deep gold-pink, like a jewel in a glass. It offers a…
Un Vin Charmant
Mâcon-LugnyLes Charmes2007 Last week I picked up a bottle of this white Burgundy for about nine dollars. I opened it tonight without great expectations,…
Chateau Beauchene Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Chateau BeaucheneChâteauneuf-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,…
Vacqueyras “Vielles Vignes”
Tardieu-LaurentVacqueyras "Vielles Vignes"2003 This old vine wine delivers lots of aromatics: cedar, woodsmoke, licorice, lavender. It's big and woody on the palate, and though…