Château Guiot — Mas Cornut MagnaNimes Red Costières de Nîmes, France

MagnaNimes is an absolute tour de force of Mourvèdre and Syrah. This big, bold red opens with tones of blue and black fruits on the nose along with pepper spice and garrigue. The long, lengthy palate explodes with juicy, thick, and dense dark fruit, finishing with sweet and sour cherry, layered with coffee and roasted hazelnut. It’s big and broad; however, it’s beautifully balanced by ample acidity and lift.

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Bodegas Valdehermoso Lagar del Rey Verdejo Nava del Rey, Rueda, Spain

Bodegas Valdehermoso is a perfect example of the kind of property and producer I look for during my buying trips to Europe. The Bodegas is way off the beaten path — literally out in the middle of nowhere — and without the glitzy, glamourous building like most of the famous names in the region.

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San Michele Rondinella Valpolicella, Italy

Are you looking for something just a little different –perhaps a best buy from Italy? The San Michele Rondinella could be just the thing. I’m told the local translation of Rondinella is “little swallow.” I think it could also unquestionably translate as “super tasty light red from Italy that screams drinking pleasure!”

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Château Roseraie 2016 Saint Émilion Bordeaux, France

The 2016 Château la Roseraie is a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc. In the glass, you’ll instantly recognize notes of cassis, plum, and graphite in this classic Right Bank Bordeaux. It’s at a lovely point of development right now; however, it will hold very nicely in the cellar for at least a few years. If you guessed that I might suggest pairing this with lamb chops, you would be spot on! I’d also love it with filet of beef or braised short ribs.

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