Point de Gassac 2013, Pays D’Herault, IGP, Languedoc, France

Tasting Note: Watch the epic wine-industry documentary Mondovino and make a toast each time the eminently-likable, vineyard-owner Aime Guibert flashes across your screen. He shines, and so does his wine.

It may be difficult to separate the personality of the man from his wine. Peppery on the nose, this dry, violet-black colored, red blend is smooth with slight chalkiness. A faint trace of acid tickles the back of your tongue.

This is not a fruit-forward wine, though you can certainly taste fruit on the finish – it’s just not in the lead. Additionally, the faintest bit of residual sweetness reveals itself in your mouth on the finish as well.

This wine could be enjoyed without food, but why not flatter it with a knob of cheese if you have it on hand. There are more premium wines from this producer to sample if you enjoy this red.

Like the man, this wine is eminently likable with character and personality. Here, here Monsieur Guibert!

Bottle Note: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 20% Syrah. A combination of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and syrah, Gassac’s second label wine expresses the Guibert family philosophy, vigneron of the Daumas Gassac Grand Crus wines, to create balanced wines from small single-vineyard plots cultivated in harmony with nature.