EAST COAST PALATE

I may or may not have bought this bottle because of the Templar knight on the label... That said, what is inside the glass is nothing less than delicious.

There is a richness to the palate, a smokiness to the scent, and a long lingering finish that makes this Vacqeyras a memorable wine.  I talk all the time about balance between fruity elements and tannic structure.  This is a perfect example of where the vignerons have taken great grapes and let a beautiful wine emerge from them.

This blend of Grenache and Syrah was found on the racks of the county liquor store in Cloverly, MD.  It'll run you about $18. 

    If you are going to holiday parties and want to bring a bottle that impresses the pants off your epicurian friends, look no further!  This bottle was $16 and is worth every cent!
   Knowing that '07 was a strong, hot vintage throughout the Rhone valley in general, I grabbed this bottle from a Montgomery County beer/wine/liquor store just because I haven't had many Lirac wines.
   Lirac is a town, and AOC (now AOP), just across the river from the famous Appellation Châteauneuf-du-Pape.  For some Wiki-definitions, follow the link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lirac_AOC.   
    The intense heat in that part of the southern Rhone allows the grapes to attain a ripeness that creates a blend of body and fruitiness in the wines of the region.  This particular Grenache-based wine I find muscular, but not overly tannic.  Its red cherry and tar aromas are accompanied by subtle smells reminiscent of soy sauce and teriyaki, making me think that the allstar pairing of the year would be a glass of this sumptuous wine and a platefull of bulgogi...
    Which makes me think... What would YOU serve with Korean barbeque??