If you enjoy the hunt for interesting things, you might already be familiar with Grignan Les Adhemar, the Southern Rhône’s Northernmost AOC.

The vinous results of this unique appellation are akin to walking the streets of Chapel Hill. North Carolina – You aren’t really in the North and you aren’t really in the South….

In an era of hot temperatures everywhere, we love slightly cooler temperature “boundary” wine appellations like this.

Only 39 domains exist in Grignan, and Château Bizard stands out as arguably the finest. Keeping with the “half North/half South theme”, their 2017 Montagne de Raucoule is a 50/50 blend of Syrah and Grenache, and you’ll smell every last drop of that Syrah component on each passing of the glass.

“Gorgeous violet and lavender perfumes mingle into blueberry and cassis in this lavishly textured 50–50 blend of Grenache and Syrah. It’s full bodied and juicy but balanced too, etched by fresh red-currant acidity and fine, soft tannins. A whisper of licorice lingers on the finish. Lovely in its youth, this should drink well through 2028. 92 points.” — Anna Lee C. Iijima, WE (reviewed at $35/bottle)

We’ve tasted a lot of things overt the years, and this is simply as good as it gets for this category.

$35 regular retail seemed high, so let’s go out with a bang in the $16’s!