A red from the Languedoc brimming with character. Ripe, dark berry fruit with delectable notes of local herbs and spice. Focused and long, with fine tannin. Excellent. Drink now or hold for a few years. Tasted Dec 2011.

The 2008 La Sauvageonne Pica Broca, composed of 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache, aged in oak for unspecified length. It is a medium bodied, fruity to integrated wine, with intense aromas of dried dates, dark chocolate, smoke and leather. The structure is a bit disconnected as it is slightly acidic, has chalky, refined tannins (decant for 30 min) and a medium to long finish. It is food friendly or can be sipped by itself; drink now - 2016+. My impression: NICE, 89-90 pts - recommended buy (if you like dates). Priced as a house wine, this wine is more than a nice substitute - ORIGINALLY RELEASED ON JUNE11/11 FOR $18.95, IS NOW ON CLEARANCE SALE FOR $12.90. BUY BUY BUY - I got 18 bottles. Tasted Oct/12.

See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:

http://grapeselections.com

or here @
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy

89 - tasted September 2011

This is a nice, food-friendly wine for $13 - recommended. 89+

Dark ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Cedar, blackberry, Ribena, pomegranate, black & white pepper. Medium body with medium tannins, good acidity and medium+ length.

Negatives: A touch on the watery side. This may be past its prime.

Interesting Point: This product is on clearance at the LCBO. Original price was $18.95. This wine is worth buying at its new price.

Drink now on its own or pair it with veal steak.

Tasted: 28 Oct 12

Score: 8/10, Value: 9/10, Total: 17/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5