Francisque Lapandéry, Côte Roannaise “Vieilles Vignes” Reserve 2016, Loire, France

Tasting Note: An easy drinking, Loire gamay that expresses a curious and welcome wild, red-fruit character at the 60% point of the taste with more complexity than your regular Beaujolais.

Medium-to-deep intensity ruby in color this wine has an aromatic nose of violet, rose petal, black plum and pencil shavings.

On the palate the dry, medium-bodied gamay reveals flavors of raspberry and red plum with some mid-palate complexity.

The texture of the wine is smooth with hints of chalk leading to a medium finish.

A wine you could pair with many a meal, and that would excite the wine geek in your life.