For Les Halos de Jupiter’s Philippe Cambie, “Grenache is the king of all grapes and the natural leader of all Rhone varietals.” The southern Rhone rising-star enologist makes wines for a number of famed estates, but Les Halos de Jupiter is his own project.

His Vacqueyras is a blend of 83 percent Grenache old vines and 17 percent Syrah from 35-year-old vines. With its intensely inky color, lush body and notes of wild herbs, deep dark fruit and spice, the 2009 shows why Vacqueyras can be such a beguiling wine ― a close relative of Chateauneuf and Gigondas, which he also makes.
 
Cambie doesn’t make much of the Vacqueyras, but right now some of it can be found at local wine shops. I’d grab a bottle and take it to any picnic or barbecue. Lay in some charcuterie or salumi, a few cheeses, and it’s an impromptu feast. Have it with burgers, with grilled ribs or a chicken fricassee with sweet peppers and tomatoes.

● Region: Southern Rhone

● Price: About $25

● Style: Lush and full-bodied

● What it goes with: Charcuterie, cheese, barbecue, burgers, chicken fricassee

By S. Irene Virbila, Los Angeles Times

(McClatchy-Tribune Information Services)