2016 M. Chapoutier Banyuls Vin Doux Naturel, France, Roussillon, Wine Review

This is a fortified wine from the southwest of France made from Grenache grapes. 17% ABV. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose has black cherries, prunes, black raspberries and slight alcohol. Medium bodied. Viscous texture. Light tannins. On the palate, this is sweet, not cloying. Black cherry fruit with some raspberries. Noticeable warmth on the finish but not overwhelming. This is tasty and drinks well on its own. The classic pairing is chocolate, of course, and these went great with homemade "Buckeyes" (a peanut butter in chocolate dessert. Drink over the next five to ten years.

Grade:

A-

Score:

Vintage:

2016

Current Price:

$30.00USD

2019 Mas des Montagnes Côtes du Roussillon Villages, France,

Vintage:

2019

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$22.00USD

This is a blend of 55% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 10% Carignan from higher altitude vineyards at the foot of Mt.

2020 Domaine Lafage Cuvée Nicolas Vieilles Vignes de Grenache, France, Roussillon, IGP Côtes Catalanes.Wine Review

Vintage:

2024

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$15.00USD

This is 100% old vine (averaging 65 years old) Grenache from southeast France. The nose has raspberries and sour cherries along with a slight floral note. Medium bodied. Light tannins. On the palate, the wine is concentrated with raspberries and cherries. Good acidity. Nice texture. The wine is nice on its own, but paired with a Chocolate Pots de Creme, it worked quite well. Drink over the next five to seven years.

2022 Leydier et Fils Vin de Pays de Vaucluse Selected by Kermit Lynch, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage:

2022

Score:

Grade:

B+

Current Price:

$16.00USD

This is a blend of 55% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 15% Merlot, and 10% Marselan from the Rhone Valley, France. Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has cherries, some black raspberries, slight olives and spice. Soft texture. Medium bodied. Medium tannins. On the palate, red fruits with some spice/black pepper. Moderate finish. This drinks well on its own and will work with many foods. The Kermit Lynch website suggest fried chicken and that sounds like a good match. Drink over the next three to five years.

2018 La Closerie des Lys Les Fruitières Rosé, France, Languedoc, Limoux, Wine Review

Vintage:

2018

Score:

Grade:

B+

Current Price:

$14.00USD

This is a nice, easy drinking rose from the south of France, made from Syrah, Cinsault and Grenache. Light salmon/burnt orange in color. The nose has watermelons and orange citrus. On the palate, more viscous than expected. It is dry. 13% ABV on the label. Strawberries with a bit of bitterness on the finish. Some warmth as well. Priced at $14, this is a fine wine on its own on the back deck on a summer night and will work with some lighter foods too. Drink this year.

2018 Domaine de Fontsainte Corbières, France, Languedoc, Wine Review

Vintage:

2018

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$13.00USD

Another nice value play from Kermit Lynch. A blend of 60% Carignan, 30% Grenache Noir, and 10% Syrah. Purple in color with ruby swirls. Mostly clear and bright. The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, slight earthy note and black pepper. Medium bodied. Nice acidity. On the palate, the black cherries come thru. Some depth. Light tannins. Good finish. This is a tasty wine that drinks fine on its own but works better with hearty food. It went great with a vegetarian chili. Drink this over the next five to seven years.

2016 M. Chapoutier Banyuls Vin Doux Naturel, France, Roussillon, Wine Review

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