Chateau Bonnet, Bordeaux Rouge (Bordeaux, France) 2008

 This is exactly the sort of everyday red wine I find myself sometimes craving, especially after a steady diet of the Zins, and California Syrahs, Cabs and Merlots–all those fleshy, virile big-boy wines.   I’m not complaining, I love those wines as well, but this red Bordeaux is comparatively modest and soft-spoken    , offering a fresh and lively palate, elusive hints of licorice and violets, ripe but refreshingly understated fruit, and easygoing tannins.