Wine of the Week: 2009 Domaine du Grand Montmirail Vacqueyras

This terrific Vacqueyras from a great year comes from a domaine named for the granite cliffs called Dentelles de Montmirail at the foot of Mont Ventoux. Cézanne country. This 2009 is the southern Rhone at its best, a truly beautiful expression of Grenache with a touch of Syrah and Mourvèdre. Tasting of dark plums, blackberries and sun-baked herbs, it conjures up the landscape of Cézanne’s paintings.

Open a bottle to drink with grilled lamb chops or a thick steak. Or even better, a summer daube made with beef and dark, wrinkly olives. Bring it along on a picnic and serve it slightly chilled.

Region: Southern Rhone

Price: About $20

Style: Rich and full

What it goes with: Grilled lamb chops, steak, beef daube

Where to find it: Mission Wines in South Pasadena, (626) 403-9463, https://www.missionwines.com; Sepulveda Wine in Manhattan Beach, (310) 318-9080, https://www.sepulvedawine.com; and Woodland Hills Wine Co. in Woodland Hills, (818) 222-1111, https://www.whwc.com.