Pierre Amadieu La Grangelière Vacqueyras

Vivid ruby. Lively red fruits and minerals on the nose, with hints of white pepper, potpourri and allspice adding complexity. Nervy, focused strawberry and raspberry flavors give way to a deeper cherry quality with air. A silky and seamless wine with excellent finishing thrust and lingering spiciness.

Ripe and focused, offering solid notes of dark currant, melted black licorice and plum sauce, backed by a nicely grippy edge on the finish. Drink now through 2013.

This delightfully crisp, balanced Vacqueyras boasts a dense purple color with spicy red berry and cherry aromas. The wine is focused and pure, with bright blackberry and black currant flavors. It finishes with excellent length and notes of anise, pepper and forest floor, with a full-bodied texture and outstanding purity and length. This would be a great complement to lamb kabobs and wild mushroom risotto.

Boy, there is a lot to love in this bottle. Vacqueyras — tough to say, easy to enjoy. 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, it packs a wallop. Smoky and dusky, bacon and plum aromas are the first thing to hit you. At first taste it seems a bit aggressive but settles down soon after. The tannins are tightly wound but well integrated. The finish goes on and on. Drinks well now, but this wine will hang on for quite a few years. I do love Vacqueyras for their earthy tones. Blade lamb chops with stewed tomatoes and mint over Israeli couscous.