Angove, McLaren Vale (Australia) 2012

The estate’s founder (in 1886) was William Angove, a medical doctor who began making wine as a tonic for his patients.  While a few complained that the treatment didn’t cure their ailments, everybody liked the wine.  Five generations later the Angove family does not dispense medical advice, but does turn out some impressive wines.  “Dr. Angove ‘The Recipe,’” which was launched earlier this year, is elegantly restrained in texture but still ripe and juicy in its flavors, and it’s a wine you definitely want to try.  Shiraz contributes spice to the blend, the old vine Grenache gives it that fresh, fruity appeal, while the Petit Verdot adds a subtle underpinning of dark, brooding mystery.  Because The Recipe fuses together delicacy and power it’s one of those rare red wines that is sippable on its own — and of course it shines with food.  It’s a steal at this price.