Mas de la Dame 2005 Les Baux de Provence La Gourmande about $13
Mas de la Dame is the sort of French estate you see in paintings—in fact, Van Gogh did paint this one. Grapevines surround the low-slung old buildings, while olive trees flash their silvery leaves in the Provençal sun, and the scent of lavender and thyme rises from the surrounding hills. The mas, or farmhouse, is run by two dames, sisters Anne Poniatowski and Caroline Missoffe, who farm organically and biodynamically. They make La Gourmande, a blend of the local grapes grenache and syrah, to drink now — and with food, of course. Its bright, thyme-scented cherry flavors will go with steak or just about anything else you might toss on the grill.
Imported by USA Wine West, Sausalito, Calif. Tara Q. Thomas
