Domaine Paul Autard Côtes du Rhône Southern Rhône France 2005. 14.5% alcohol. 70% Grenache - 15% Syrah - 15% Counoise. $10 at Wine Cellars, Ridgewood, New Jersey. Importer not recorded.
Deep purple color, deep hue, fascinating aromas of restrained berries, with a complex base of earth, licorice, herbs, spices and woodland notes, complex fruit, spice, earth, garrigue and chocolate tastes, medium mouth feel, smooth tannins with good acidity in a fine balance which hides the relatively high alcohol levesl, long lingering finish with a treasure of notes -- fruit, spice, herbs, earth, and more. I really enjoyed drinking this wine, at first with a mixed salad of Romaine, apple bits, chick peas, cucumber bits and pecans, mixed with a bit of New Zealand olive oil, and later all by itself. I could be happy drinking this wine all summer. This wine would reward aging, I'm pretty sure (although Parker is said that it will last for two to three years), and it opens beautifully in the glass with lots of swirling, and continues to reward sipping and dreaming for hours. 4*+. Incredible QPR.
Notes: NYC wine icon Tony Fletcher turned me on to this wine [as it were]. I love reading his blog to keep in touch with music and with wine. http://www.ijamming.net/
Winery: http://www.paulautard.com/
Fan of wines of the area: http://www.chateauneuf.dk/en/cdpen99.htm "published by a wine lover from Denmark." Absolutely charming coverage.
Regards, Bob