Wise Beyond Its Years
Thierry GermainDomaine des Roches Neuves Saumur Champigny2006 Brilliant purple, this wine is a jewel in a glass. I pour, and smell first—what? Herbs, maybe,…
Red Wines
An Elegant, Polished Beaujolais
Georges DuBoeufMoulin-à-Vent "Prestige"2003 When poured, the wine is milky and brickish red. Floral and very feminine, it offers a nose of blackberries, lavender, and…
A Beautiful Evening Companion
Domaine Le Mas des CollinesRegis de Taxis Gigondas2005 Inky violet-red, this wine gives off the scent of violets, warm blackberries, smoke, and earth. Supple…
Lang and Reed: Hard and Soft
Lang & ReedNorth Coast Cabernet Franc2007 This wine is deep purplish red, like a liquid ruby. It's full on the nose, offering bramble fruits,…
Bewitching
Bonny Doon VineyardSyrah "Le Pousseur"2006 I've had two wines recently that shook me up, then haunted me after. The first…
Château de Villegeorge
Château de VillegeorgeHaut-Médoc Cru Bourgeois Supérieur2005 The wine is deep, inky purple, nearly opaque. On the nose it's intense: a little salty, a little…
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…
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,…
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…
William Hill Merlot 2005
William Hill EstateNapa Valley Merlot2005 This wine has a smoky, plummy nose with chocolate and sweet tobacco. On the palate it's earthy, with leather,…
Pull on Your Boots
KellermeisterBoots Barossa Grenache2007 This wine is bright purple, with a heady, peppery nose, redolent of carnation and chocolate. On the palate it's simple but…
Markham Napa Valley Merlot
Markham VineyardsNapa Valley Merlot2005 This wine is deep purple, offering a nose of chocolate and earth. It's fulsome and not too tannic—just what we'd…