Chateau Raspail
Gigondas
Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre
Gigondas, France
2007
15%
$16.99 -- Costco, Austin, TX
Color: Deep purple
Nose: Plum and stewed blueberry, a hint of vanilla, beef jerky
Body: Full
Front: Plum, cherry
Middle: Anise, fresh-ground pepper
Back: Leather, soft tannins
Burns clean?: Sort of
Cap: Cork
First: Give this puppy air, unless you're drinking it a year from now at least. Well, okay. It's more complex than that. (And it's not actually a puppy.) If you like a charismatic, fruit-bomb, jammy, Fruit-Roll-Up sort of wine, open it and pour and share and git 'er done within the hour. If you want the more complex character to emerge--with earthy flavors, a little spice and a little meat--then wait on it.
This would taste good with anything with a little weight and a little pepper. With olives and salty cheese, the meatiness of the wine is enhanced.
