Paul Jaboulet Aîné, Parallèle 45 Côtes du Rhône 2012, France

Tasting Note: This grenache-syrah blend delivers what you like best in French syrah supported by a sturdy grenache back that holds its own and advances the wine forward with divine aromas to boot.

Deep ruby in color this wine has an-aromatic nose of black currant, blackberry, red cherry, raspberry and red plum along with black pepper and vanilla baking spice.

You may be tempted to hold out on tasting the wine because you so enjoy the pleasure of it on the nose.

On the palate the dry, medium-plus-bodied grenache (60%)-syrah (40%) blend is abounding with ripe red-and-black fruit and velvety, well-integrated, medium tannin and acidity.

Bursts of tart, yet-ripe fruit mix and mellow with the peppery notes of Rhone-styled syrah riding out to a long finish infused with notes of chalk.

A winner!

Bottle Note: This wine is named after the 45th parallel, which crosses the Rhone Valley, passing through some of the estates and vineyards belonging to Maison Paul Jaboulet Aîné. A blend of 60% grenache and 40% syrah, it has rich berry fruit aromas and a smooth complexity. It is best enjoyed young.