2003 Jaboulet Crozes-Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert

Anyone who loves Syrah is likely to fall head over heels for Jaboulet’s Domaine de Thalabert Crozes-Hermitage from the glorious 2003 vintage. First, there’s the color, an intense ruby with glints of violet, then the generous perfume of dark berries and wild sun-drenched herbs. Tasting of ripe blackberries and cassis with a soupcon of licorice, the 2003 Thalabert is a wine of impressive grace and balance. Ready to drink now, it can also be put away for a while.

At less than $30, it’s a magnificent buy.

Uncork it for simple roasts and slow-simmered stews and daubes. Braised duck legs or a grilled magret would be a great match too.

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Quick swirl

Region: Rhone

Price: About $29

Style: Rich and generous

Food it goes with: Roasts, stews and daubes, game.

Where you find it: L.A. Wine Co. in Marina del Rey, (310) 306-9463 ; Wally’s Wine & Spirits in Los Angeles, (310) 475-0606; the Wine Club in Santa Ana, (714) 835-6485; Wine Exchange in Orange, (714) 974-1454 and (800) 76WINEX; and Wine Pavilion in Lake Forest, (949) 206-9531