When I asked why Syrah would work if a Bordeaux wouldn't, Peter said that Syrah is very similar to Cabernet in structure, but far more versatile with food. Peter selected the 1999 Noël Verset Cornas , $65, Kermit Lynch Imports (although this bottle came from Crush and they bought it from a private collection). Sounds good. MORE >>

Michel also brought a "GSM" - grenache, syrah, mouvedre (Chateau de Nages 2009 Costieres de Nimes, Chaeau de Nage Vielles Vignes, Rouge) with minimum oak yet a spicey nose of concentrated red grapes. Alberic Mazoyer from Domaine Alain Voge in Cornas spoke about his region in the North. 100% Syrah. MORE >>

Apparently, blending syrah from the Northern Rhone with Bordeaux was fairly common in the pre- appellation controllée era, particularly in weaker vintages, to result in a wine that had been “Hermitagé,&# so-called after the celebrated region that produces fine syrah. in the one I tasted last week. MORE >>

John Gilman, author of the newsletter The View from the Cellar , joins us again for a Q&A. asked him six questions; he replied with over 10,000 words! Natural wines are growing in popularity. Are these wines forcibly better? But let’s look at each sector that you discussed separately, rather than painting with those broad brushstrokes. MORE >>

In honor of the terroir that must be saved in Cornas, M graciously ferried in a 2000 Lemencier Cornas, in its last two-three years of glory. Yet, he happily tasted the Cornas. He likes syrah and said to me, "You know shiraz and syrah are the same grape?" but makes the place even more charming. His eyes approved. MORE >>