1989 Domaine du Vieux Lazaret, Chateauneuf-du-Pape...

1989 Domaine du Vieux Lazaret, Chateauneuf-du-Pape ($14.50)-- You may not be able to find a better-priced, better-tasting Rhone wine. The 1989 vintage is now widely known to be exceptional, and many of the red wines have risen in price. This wine has a dense color, rich plum-cassis-blackberry aroma with hints of anise and tar. The taste is rich and powerful but with ample fruit in the finish. It is a perfect wine for hearty cheeses to finish off a meal. It will age gracefully for a decade or more, which will smooth out the tannins. Because Lazaret isn’t as well known a property as some in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, this wine has been discounted to around $13 in some shops.