2003 Chateau Saint-Jean Cotes du Rhone Villages

Jon Oropeza

Grenache is a taste worth acquiring. When you’ve had a few and good ones, you figure out that the essence of the grape is in that watery stemminess and the hints of hot peppercorns, lavender, thyme and even a bit of vegetable goodness lingering in the back of your mouth.

Married with Syrah like they do in the Rhone, Grennie is easy to fall in love with. Chateauneuf may be pricey, but you can find real steals on similar wines from the Cotes du Rhone Villages.

This one set me back 9 bucks, yet provided such a transcendant experience as to completely alter my expectations from a nine dollar wine. Raspberries, tomatoes, spices and even chocolate in the nose. Steminess and thyme on the backend, and that fine clean watery finish that Grenaches give you. Poured alongside roasted lambchops and fennel slaw.

Top 5 bottles of wine I've uncorked this year, and cheaper than almost all of them to boot!

Tasting Tags: chocolate pepper raspberry stem thyme tomato water