Gérald Lafont is a master oenologist who consults for over 40 different wineries in the Rhône, many of which are prestigious estates that reside in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The amount of time, care, and consistency it must take to help all of these vineyards deliver wines of the utmost, supreme quality is difficult to wrap one's mind around. The even more amazing thing is, that's only his part-time job. His focus and true passion lie in Lirac, on a small 2.5 hectare parcel of land that was left to him by his father, Yvon. Yvon worked these same vines and taught a young Gérald a lot about that which will surely become his legacy to the world.

Domaine d'Arbousset is a blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 5% Cinsault and 5% Mourvèdre. The aromas that waft out of the glass are almost trance-inducing. As I drew in a long, slow breath of this wine I could feel my eyelids half close, as if a relaxant had been added to the wonderfully aromatic nose. It reveals layers of fresh red berries combined with an intriguing herbal and stone fruit mix with a touch of flowers. After one sip, I was hooked. Up front, this wine is enticing and vibrant. On the mid-palate, the berries balance perfectly with a light minerality to coat the mouth with an incredible energy. Finally, the finish is stunning -- lengthy, smooth and luscious. The wine is lively, brooding and sexy all in one shot. It is utterly astonishing and the closest thing to Châteauneuf-du-Pape quality wine I've ever tasted without actually being one. Pair with roasted lamb with garlic and rosemary, veal or any barbecued meats.