Côtes du Rhône is the most commonly produced wine in the Rhône, making up nearly 70% of all wine that comes out of the region. It designates that the fruit is not necessarily from any specific region, and generally represents a much lower quality than Village wines, Hermitage, Chateauneuf-du-Pape (obviously), or Côte-Rôtie. But, because it is less regulated and has no restriction on grapes or proportions there can be same amazing value that comes out of these wines. In a good vintage, and from a good winemaker, these wines can give an everyday value wine that displays some of the best Rhône characteristics.
The wine: The 2007 Reserve Perrin Côtes du Rhône is a southern Rhône blend of 60% grenache, 20% syrah, 10% mouvedre, and 10% cinsault. It is NOT the Beaucastel bottling, but an even more affordable, and less specific in terms of vineyard sourcing, bottling put out by the Perrin brothers. This wine regularly scores at least 89 points, when reviewed, and in good years gets up in the low 90's. And yet the bottle frequently sells for between $8 and $10 dollars.The wine is an inky garnet and purple in the glass. It has a great nose of dried dark fruit, baked bread, and dried violets. The wine drinks like a great Old World dusty, brambly, but slightly fruity wine. I got lots of earthy, herbal, sage notes on the finish, with some nice mid-palette stones and peppery spice. The wine was rather full-bodied for an inexpensive wine.
The verict: This wine was just delicious for the price, and a great introduction to the character of southern Rhône. I give this wine a 3.5 and for the price point am really blown away by what it provides. It should be drunk for what it is and not compared to better sourced, higher priced, Rhône wines, but standing alone I give a whole-hearted recommendation as this wine represents one of the best values at your local wine shop right now.
Any other Côtes du Rhône or Côtes du Rhône Villages that you have been drinking from 2007 that you find to be a great value?
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