2005 Bertand Pic Saint Loup Grand Terroir

[VouvrayHead]

Around $20 and a heckuva steal. Spent the afternoon at a local wine shop's Spring tasting and tried everytihng from Ponzi to Beaucastel (ended up buying a 2005 Perrin Vinsobres for $20 that tasted a bit like a Cote Rotie, emphasis on the "roasted") yet my favorite bottle for the money all day was a bottle I drank with friends tonight at a wine bar, this Pic Saint Loup... Inky purple color, but mostly red fruits on the lovely nose (which had a floral aspect as well) and followed up in the mouth... currants, cranberries, some blackberry too, moderate tannins, and a definite herbal note (label claimed rosemary and thyme, and I'd agree) balanced with zippy acidity. Lots of structure and complexity, but plenty of just plain old hedonistic goodnes. It was $30 at the wine bar, so I'd guess $15-$20 in a store, and just really tasty.