Favorite ageable but NON-spoofilated Cotes du Rhone - low $20s and under

WINE TALK
1

In this time of State of the Unions, I thought I would let the board lead by example and give us the chance to show our government the right way to belt-tighten. [swoon.gif]

Actually, I was enjoying a really lovely 2001 Les Aphillanthes V.V. Cotes du Rhone Villages that has been in my cellar since release. Really, its just now coming into its own and showing no sign of decline, demonstrating how some CDR producers in good vintages can excel and age well. I think I paid $19 and I would give it a solid 89, just missing the depth I would need to carry it over the top ( I wonder about the wood tannins here, which could conceivably be the culprit). I think this is likely to still improve for 2-4 more years.

We’ll accept Vacqueyras, Gigondas and Rasteau, too, if they fit the ageable, non-spoofilated and low $20s and under…stick to the price limit! (no Gourt de Mautens does not qualify anymore pileon )

2

Charvin CDR

3

I agree, Dan. Good call. Never had one in the “A” range, but they are almost always very solidly B to B+ and age better than I originally thought they would. Light in a delicate and very positive way.

4

Agreed. Always a solid wine. I went based on your descriptors. St Damien Vacqueyras could work as well.

Disclosure: Good chance that many Rhone suggestions I offer are ones that I do sell.

5

Dan, I feel as if Obama and McCain just hugged. Not sure who is who. [gen_fro.gif]

6

Coudoulet de Beaucastel
Domaine des Escarvailles,Cotes du Rhone Villages
Roaix, Les Hautes Granges (100% syrah)

7

Chave Mon Couer is always a solid B

8

willing to be proved wrong, but i have never liked this.

9

Are those football players for the Jets and Giants? Otherwise I have no idea what you are talking about.

10

i guess you’re mccain?

11

Spoofilation has ruined this region for me. Haven’t enjoyed anything here for a few years, even bottlings I used to like. A lot of it is that I’m not a fan of what these grapes become when very ripe/extracted (Syrah being the exception, but Syrah is not the major component in southern Rhone). Even the little guys are chasing Parker.

12

Coudoulet de Beaucastel is a really lovely Cotes du Rhone that is quite charming when young and can age surprisingly well. However, it may just creep over your price limit, not being the cheapest of Cotes du Rhones.

I’ve had a few recent experiences of this appellation which have pleased me no end. The invigorated, Swiss-Claret-maker-driven regime at Jaboulet has yielded some good wines across their range. Their Cotes du Rhone Parallele 45 is a welcome return to form for this historically good value and good quality wine*. I’ve had the 06 and 07 a few times in recent months and they’ve been well worth the asking price.

Cheers,
David.

*The first time I visited Jaboulet we were trying the 95s from cask. The great Gerard Jaboulet himself gave the tasting and he was incredibly enthusiastic about that vintage of Parallele 45. He told us that in 1995 it was a blend of Syrah and Mourvedre (no Grenache) and he thought it would age and improve for at least ten years. Eager to test his claim I got a few bottles (and some Coudoulet 95) and stashed them in the cellar. Ten years later when I served a bottle of the Parallele 45 1995 blind to some of my wine friends, they guessed it was a reasonably good, and still quite vigorous, Chateauneuf du Pape. Good result for such a humble wine! I’m not claiming the re-vivified Jaboulet Parallel 45s will last this long, but I got the distinct impression the wines are cheapies and goodies. I don’t like the new labels, though:

13

The 2007 Coudoulet de Beaucastel could be found for well within the price guidelines stated in the first post. I purchased a case for $18 per bottle.

The 1995 Parallele 45 was really good (as was the Gugal CdR) just wish I saved some.

14

Is this the scene where we make out? [smileyvault-ban.gif]

15

so close…

16

Drew – Guigal’s Cotes du Rhone is for real and still about $13. The 2005 is particularly good. These have a high syrah and mourvedre content, so they can age. In better years, I always put a couple away. The 83 drank very well in 1999, and the 05 has a lot of structure, so I expect it will develop for many years.

17

Domaine Piaugier Cotes du Rhone-Sablet. Solid every year. $15 too.
CdRs from the village of Cairanne are very decent also. Who needs Chateauneuf du Pape?

18

i’m itb in massachusetts, and i sell some of the wines below, but i still think they’re excellent, real rhones in the price category:

vieille julienne cotes du rhone lieu dit clavin
piaugier gigondas
oratoire st martin cairanne

have kept some of the vieille julienne for a few years and been really happy about it. drank an '01 last month and it was great–not far behind a bottle of their chateauneuf i had the next night. considering the vineyard for the cdr is right across the street, it’s not that surprising.

19

[berserker.gif]

20

WHATEVER