2012 Maison Bleue "Voyageur" Syrah

Wow, it's been while since I've posted on my blog!  And no, it's not because I've been exceptionally lazy, but because I've been so darn busy at work!  I was out of the office for the last 10 days of March traveling to Houston, Dallas, Austin, Boston and New York, I think I was home less than I was gone during the month!  So let's get back to business, time to open a great bottle of wine, and tonight't should be a good one, from one of my favorite producers of Grenache and Syrah, Maison Bleue!  Tonight I've opened a wine club selection that arrived in my office when I wasn't even there, the 2012 Maison Bleue "Voyager" Syrah!  This wine was made from 100% Syrah, with a limited production of just 192 cases.

The wine is a lovely bright ruby color in the glass with great clarity.  The nose is lovely, with aromas of green herbs, macerated plums, black pepper and tobacco, it's the kind of wine that makes you feel good just inhaling the aromas surrounding it.  The taste is so rich and sophisticated, not your average Syrah by any stretch.  This one has a lovely bit (emphasis on bit) of fruit at the outset, cherry, blackberry and cassis, that transitions effortlessly to some wonderful spice and mineral notes of black pepper and just a hint of anise.  The tannins are well rounded, offering a foundation for an exceptionally smooth, dry finish (not the mouth-puckeringly dry of so many wines today, much more like the fine dry reds of France).

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's a great wine, but the price prevents it from being your everyday Syrah at $55 ($46.75 with the wine club discount).  This wine would be great with a variety of rustic beef dishes, pizza, or tonight's dinner, homemade tacos!  The rich fruit and hearty minerality are perfect foils to a hearty steak taco with crisp veggies and homemade guacamole.  Cheers!