Domaine Montirius, Vacqueyras (Rhône Valley, France) 2010

This is a classic example of Vacqueyras, one of the nine “cru” in the southern Rhône Valley whose wines are distinctive enough to warrant identification by only the name of the village.  (Châteauneuf-du-Pape is likely the best known of the southern Rhône cru.)  This Vacqueyras is big, but not overdone, conveying a lovely combination of herbs, spice and dark fruit.  This attractively rustic wine would be perfect as the temperature falls and the hearty stews and casseroles of winter appear.