2001 Col des Vents, Corbieres

[hotwine]

40% Grenache and 40% Syrah, with 20% Carignane. 13% ABV and $10.99 at the discounter. Bruised raspberries in a little smoke on the nose, bruised black fruit and spice on the palate, better the second day. I'll buy more.

[hotwine]

She had me grill salmon on a cedar plank this evening, so for a wine, I scrounged around the database for one with modest fruit and some mossy earth, as an alternative to Pinot Noir, which I'm just not "getting" these days. Came up with this Corbieres again. Bingo! Just the ticket: the smokey bruised raspberry married nicely with the oak-grilled fish without in any way being a "fruit bomb". With Italian spinach and oven-fried spuds. Life is sweet.