Château de Mayragues Gaillac Classique

Fragrant aromas of sage and earth. Beautiful palate of spices and berries with a little bramble. Boysenberry flavors dominate the finish. This is just about perfect right now, and it's hard to imagine it getting any better. Well structured, subtle, complex, delicious. I wish I had more - at $12 this was a steal. Somewhat dumb when opened, takes about an hour to come together.

Mint and spice on the nose. Mouth puckering cherry flavors. Pure, clean and very shy. Good $12 wine, it will be interesting to see what it's like on day 2. Day 2: Fleshes out, fuller more complex flavors, though it still has that pucker. This is good as it is, but I agree it may be better in a year or two.

A Chambers Street direct import. Biodynamic Gaillac made by two Scotsmen, 50% Syrah and 50% Duras (Chambers Street's web site says there's some Gamay in the blend, but the label on the back of the bottle has no mention of it). Good sturdy and rustic wine, not too ripe, somewhat austere and astringent. Could benefit from a year or two of cellaring. Easily worth the $12.