This was sub-$13 and I was blown away. I love CdR, but it seems to me to have a wider variation in style than most appellations, which of course is just a frustration not a surprise, given that it is a large regional appellation and also allows for significant variations in çepage. So I always wonder when I open a CdR if I’m going to get a light-bodied picnic wine with bright red fruit, which is not really what I look for, or something with more pretentions to being a mini-CdP or St. Joe.
This one was much closer to the latter, though to me it had some elements of South and North, so maybe I’d say it has pretentions to being a mini CdP-St. Joe blend? Meaty, deep, spicy, and just the right amount of funk for my wheelhouse. It must have nice dollops of syrah and mourvedre. Perfect to drink right now with a pop and pour, or buy a bunch and drink over several years. I bought just the one bottle, but went back and bought a case (which I do only very rarely).
My highest recommendation as a superb everyday value. ![[cheers.gif]](/uploads/db3686/original/2X/0/0ff9bfcdb0964982cd3240b6159868fbdf215b1a.gif "cheers"){kind=small}