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Making wine since 1927, the d' Arenberg Winery near McLaren Vale, Australia, has not only grown some pretty good grapes, they have grown themselves a pretty good reputation for making good wines as well. The 2009 The Stump Jump Red is a blend of 42% Grenache, 33% Shiraz and 25% Mourvedre and has the finesse of wines costing two or three times as much!

The wine opens with the aromas of red berries and plums, which become quite heady the longer the wine remains in the glass. The flavors suggest the plums plus blackberries, and a slight peppery undertone, supplied, no doubt, from the Shiraz. The wine has a firm grasp of your senses which lingers on into a smooth and mild finish of tannin and toasty oak, which serve to clean the palate and require closer examination in the next sip.

This is a wonderful bottle of wine, for not a lot of money, and is delightful with almost any grilled meat or spicy dish. The Stump Jump Red would be a perfect companion for venison stew with fresh warm sourdough bread. If the Fall weather gets you out to your grill, then take a bottle of The Stump Jump with you to consume while you are cooking. That is, of course, if you have another bottle available for the dinner. Norm's score is 89.

Price: $10 to $14

Score: 89