Georges Duboeuf 2010

An intense, brilliant cherry color with purplish tints. Complex nose with red and black berry aromas (raspberries, redcurrants, blackcurrants). A smooth wine with fine tannins, harmonious and complete.

Bravo! to Georges Duboeuf for this impressive line-up of wines, and for the fact that he has remained true to his goal of delivering high quality at consumer friendly prices. The medium to dark ruby-colored 2000 Merlot (flower label) explodes from the glass with sweet black fruits and aromas reminiscent of a spicy jambolaya. This rich, plump, no holds-barred fruit bomb is medium-bodied and crammed with lush black cherries. What it lacks in nuance and complexity it makes up for in pure unadulterated pleasure. Having tasted hundreds of mediocre $20ndash;$50 Merlots, it boggles my mind that this little gem goes for $6.50! Drink it over the next 18 months.

Donrsquo;t let the impenetrable nose fool you; below the surface is a core of plummy black fruit, peppery spice and some decent tannins. Plenty of body for a $7 wine, and we can see it going over like gold at restaurants.

Bright ruby purple to the rim. Moderately full-bodied. Balanced acidity. Moderately extracted. Mildly oaked. Mildly tannic. Red fruits, vanilla, minerals. Pleasantly aromatic, with a firm, yet generous palate. Shows excellent grip and fine length through the finish.

Flowers and wine are fleeting in mature, they want to please visual and olfactory senses, they have the same annual cycle and the same allegiance to soils and sun. flowers, like wine, are messengers of joy and happiness.