It's cold. It's really, damn, cold. And it doesn't seem like a good time to be drinking rich, flabby, flamboyant or expensive wines. Simply put, it's a depressing time of year. So I'm recommending wines to lighten and warm your heart for $10-$15. All of these wines are currently available at retail and will go perfectly with virtually any meat or chicken roast, stew or casserole.
Dom. Clape Le Vin des Amis 2007 *** is living proof that succulent, rich, fruity and peppery red wine is a salve to one's mid-winter woes. Eat this with hearty Shepherd's Pie or Beef Bourguignon. The casserole is making a comeback.
Likewise, Paul Jaboulet Aine's Cotes du Rhone Parallele 45 2006 ** is brick-ish purple with briar patch and blackberry notes and whole, crunchy blank peppercorns underneath. Let this breath an hour and serve with shell or strip steaks or, if you want to splurge, prime rib.
If you liked the 2004 Cantina Zaccagnini Montepulciano Riserva ** then this is the wine for you: Chateau de Montfaucon Cotes du Rhone 2006 ** Bigger darker and meaner than the Cantina Zaccagnini, closed and tight on the nose, with absorbent tannin, pungent and ripe red fruit notes over mixed crushed peppercorns on the mid palate. A great bargain - this should receive 90 points from the major trade press.
Finally, Dom. Monpertuis Cotes du Rhone Vignoble de la Ramiere 2007 * is a lighter styled, more elegant Cotes du Rhone than those above. This gained depth and clarity with air, and reminded me of tart summer raspberries, juniper berries and coriander. Serve this with seared pork loin and boiled potatoes in butter and dill.
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