Chateau Bousquette, Saint-Chinian (France) 2009

The team at Chateau Bousquette has seamlessly integrated Syrah and Grenache to produce a stellar wine that delivers both power and elegance. Red fruit and herbal notes are harmoniously intertwined with earthy mineral-like elements in this complex, layered beauty. There’s an appealing firmness and freshness. It’s lovely now with polished fine tannins, but its balanced suggests it will develop beautifully with proper cellaring. But I’m not sure many will be able to wait. This is not a wine to sip as an aperitif, but rather to drink and savor with hearty roasted lamb shanks.