Corinne Couturier Vin de Pays de la Principauté d'Orange 2005

From France's Rhône region comes this red wine, Vin de Pays de la Principauté d'Orange from winemaker Corinne Couturier made from the grapes of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsaut, Mourvèdre and Carignan. There are certain country aromas at work here, making for a nice complexity with a redcurrant, tarry, vegetal blend on the nose, and a mushroom minerality to contrast the robust flavors of tart cherries, spice and white pepper. The finish is spicy with the lingering of pepper and currants and a satisfying earthiness that I really enjoyed.