Deep garnet, clear, with thin clear edges.  An acridly funky nose pulls off dank smoke and shoe-leather while conjuring heady elements of cinnamon and salty licorice.  Still and soapy… not promising much.  In the mouth, not delivering much, either.  Concentrated dirty-apartment funk and chemical-fire nuances over-ride the rich pruney fruit.  I do not hate this wine.  It’s solid Cotes du Rhone.  Especially for the price.  It’s a lovely Grenache… it’s just… well… *grenache*.  Buy some.. Buy several.  Drink it up.  It’s good wine.  It has no flaws, it’s just boring–as 15$ CdR with English on the label  should be.
 ♦
2011 La Tarasque Grenache Cotes du Rhone France 13-5