Scoring 18 Dionysian points, gold medal worthy, with 14% alcohol and costing near $25, the 2009 Domaine le Lang des Cailloux Vacqueyras is peaking, and it will hold another eight to ten years nicely.

Vacqueyras use to be unknown from the Rhone Valley in France, but now it’s replacing many of the Rhone wines that have excessive pricing. It has a spicy oak nose with herbs and toasted red fruits. It is balanced perfectly and fills the entire mouth.

ne of Kermit Lynch’s selections saying you can’t go wrong. It’s also a John Mahoney selection for pulled port with a spicy sauce and a tiny pasta side.

The Bottle Barn in Gibbstown, N.J. got this one for me and I’ll re-order when this case is half finished. 2009 was very good in the area and they’ve had a string of excellent vintages. In Vino Veritas.