2007 Chateau du Mourre du Tendre Côtes du Rhône Villages

2007 Chateau du Mourre du Tendre Côtes du Rhône Villages

2007 Chateau du Mourre du Tendre Côtes du RhôneI went looking for a Chateauneuf du Pape and ended up with this little gem. In the glass, the wine is dark and leggy. On the nose, it’s big on cherries with black licorice and dried herbs. It drinks more like a C-d-P than a Côtes du Rhônes – it’s big with big cherry flavors laced with black pepper.

Pairings: Grilled lamb, beef stew, roasted duck

Style: Red wine

Grape Type(s): Grenache, Mourvedre

Region: Rhône, France

Around $25

2009 M. Chapoutier Les Vignes de Bila Haut

2009 M. Chapoutier Les Vignes de Bila Haut

I served this Cote du Roussillon wine at a dinner party last week and a friend commented that this was the best wine she’d had in recent memory.

In the glass, it’s inky black and super pretty.  On the nose, this Grenache / Carignan / Syrah blend is bright with lots of spicy, ripe cherries.  In the mouth the juicy cherry continues.  This wine is rich and opulent with notes of coffee, dark chocolate and plum.

Wine Spectator:  87 points.

Around $12.