Val d'Orbieu Les Deux Rives Corbieres Rouge 1998

40% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 20% Mourvedre, 10% Carignan Dark brilliant ruby-red color A rich, dry, full-bodied red wine. It is best served with grilled beef or lamb, hard cheeses, and stews. Like all fine wines, it is best served about 60 Fahrenheit slightly cooler than room temperature. Les Deux Rives Corbières Rouge has a pepper scented nose fragrant of cedar and herbs with hints of leather. It is rich, supple, and full-bodied, with spicy, black fruit flavors, moderate tannins, deep color and extracted ripeness. Stylistically similar to wines from the Côtes du Rhone, it's supple, spicy, chewy flavors make it immensely satisfying. Les Deux Rives is the brand name of the best cuvŽe of Corbieres produced by les Vignerons du Val d'Orbieu, an important group of winegrowers based in Narbonne in Southern France. Blended from Grenache, Syrah, Carignan and Mourvedre, the traditional grapes of the Corbieres vineyard, the wine is dark purple red in color with a lusty aroma and flavor of ripe berries, black pepper, licorice and chewy dried fruit. The wine is not oak aged and therefore can be served cool during the warmer months. In summer or winter, the wine is delicious with grilled lamb, beef or pork and with all hard cheeses. Due to its lesser known origins, the Les Deux Rives is an outstanding value as well.