Château d'Oupia Minervois 2009

An aromatic and densely colored red wine, full-bodied with generous blackberry and raspberry flavors. Fine tannins, along with accents of pepper and spice, make this an elegant and well-balanced wine.

Nurtured by warm sun and Mediterranean breezes, the vines of Minervois produce wines of sturdy character and amazing value. Gaze upon the deep garnet color. Experience the flavors of clove, dark berries and cranberries. Sink your teeth into its full-bodied, earthy texture and savor the long, smooth finish. This is a wine for all seasons! You may choose steak or stroganoff, pizza or pastrami, each will taste better with this wine.

Minervois, a region in the western Languedoc-Rousillon, produces lush, drinkable wines using Rhône varietals. This wine is aromatic, full and densely colored, with a long finish of dark fruits. Enjoy this crowd-pleaser with chili, hamburgers or grilled pork or lamb chops.

A tight red, with a meaty aroma and concentrated damson plum, sanguine and dried cherry flavors. The powerful finish features graphite notes. Drink now through 2010.

Muscular and full-flavored, with a meaty aroma and an intense array of blackberry and olive flavors. Filled to the brim with mocha and espresso notes. There's a touch of elegance to it as well, with fine-grained tannins on the finish. Needs time. Best from 2006 through 2009.

From centenarian Carignan, with smaller amounts of Syrah and Grenache, Andre Iche's 2006 Minervois Tradition smells of ripe black cherries backed by the bitter-sweetness of cherry pits and dark chocolate, and (just as with the 2005) Cornas-like elements of raw beef liver. These flavors come together for a strikingly rich, mouth-coating black-fruit, and animal impression. Toasted nut and pungent herbal notes season the rich black-fruit, mole- and meat stock-like finish. I suspect this fascinating and sensually satisfying Minervois would be worth following for 2-3 years in bottle.