YOU SAMPLED a Medium red from

Château du Donjon Merlot

The more voluptuous side of Merlot, aged in oak. Big, bold fruit and almost no tannins! The super juicy fruit flavors scream finger-staining violet colors: blackberries, blueberries and currants. Time in wood adds a baking spice note to the fruit onslaught, intermingling into an almost “sweet berry pie wine,” without the sugar sweetness.

 

PERFECT WITH

Terrine à Pied de Cochon, Chicken liver mousse, BBQ ribs, Asado

YOU SAMPLED a Medium red from

Château Hourbanon Bordeaux 2015

Dark and brooding with black plum, black cherry and tight tannins, the wine is still young and will soften in time. The best vintage since 2010 - perhaps even better.

 

PERFECT WITH

BBQ ribs (or BBQ anything), filet mignon, bacon & eggs.

YOU SAMPLED a Bold red from

Giovanni Abrigo Barolo Ravera 2015

A warm year that produced an ephemeral nose of strawberry, cherry and sweet liquorice scents. In time, flavors of raspberry compote, clove, tobacco and notes of deeply scented flowers come through.

 

PERFECT WITH

Parmigiano reggiano, Szechuan beef, ribeye steak, truffled cheeses.

YOU SAMPLED a Medium red from

Estola 12 Meses Tempranillo

One year in oak yields an elegant aroma of vanilla amongst a bushel of red fruits. A paradox of a wine in that you can drink it with ease lest you get caught up in the myriad of scents and flavors!

 

PERFECT WITH

manchego cheese, simple pastas, crusty bread and olive oil

YOU SAMPLED a Bold red from

Donjon Minervois Rouge

Château Donjon’s flagship bottling has powerful primary aromas of ripe black fruits like plum and berry with strawberry and raspberry taking over next. Very dense on the palate with concentrated dark cherry flavors and structured, developing tannins.

 

PERFECT WITH

Duck, strong cheese, grilled anything, intense drama show binge sessions.

YOU SAMPLED an Al Fresco red from

Rin du Bois Gamay

Ripe and warm gamay perfect for cool weather with loads of acidity and a soft texture. Plummy and pleasant with prominent cherry and raspberry scents and just enough earth to remind you that it’s French. Try with a slight chill for a refreshing red.

 

PERFECT WITH

Boiled shrimp, crudite with dip, grilled cheese sandwich.

YOU SAMPLED a Medium red from

Mazziotti Merlot

Young vines that yield an intense ruby red colored wine. Soft and supple, elegant and balanced with pronounced scents of raspberry jam, vanilla and violets. On the palate the wine is soft with just a little tannic grip and loads of pleasant berry fruit, most noticeably strawberry and raspberry.

 

PERFECT WITH

Instant Pot curry, spaghetti and red sauce, McDoubles + fries

YOU SAMPLED a Bold red from

Château du Donjon L’Autre

Garnet color with violet hues. Blackberry, liquorice, and vanilla on the nose. Full bodied, great expression and a long, aromatic finish of dark fruit.

 

PERFECT WITH

lamb with fig, local produce in butter, grilled meats

YOU SAMPLED a Bold red from

Ontinar Merlot

Brick red with tons of density and a big, creamed berry bouquet with peonie and baby's breath scents mingling in there. Toasted coconut, a little leather grip and vanilla starts the long, intense finish of the wine. It's dry, but still so delightfully fruity and that toasted coconut notes follows through and adds complexity and nuance. Oh, and it's organic!

 

PERFECT WITH

Port Salut grilled cheese, tomato soup, Cioppino