Much more southern Rhone-like in style, the 2009 Abelard is a blend of 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah that spent 18 months in barrel. Big, ripe, layered and hedonistic, with tons of sweet Grenache blackberry and black cherry fruits, melted licorice and roasted herb aromas and flavors, this sensational Grenache has full-bodied richness, polished, sweet tannin, no hard edges and a great finish. While 2009 delivers lots of perfumed, upfront and slightly rustic wines due to the heat, this is silky, polished and incredibly pure. Drink this killer 2009 over the coming 7-8 years. - Jeb Dunnuck

Offers a deep well of fleshy fruit, with blueberry reduction, braised fig and blackberry pâte de fruit flavors all layered together and carrying through a polished, violet- and pastis-tinged finish. Grenache and Syrah. Drink now through 2020. 250 cases imported.–JM