2007 Mas du Bouquet Vacqueyras

The 2007 Mas du Bouquet Vacqueyras is another excellent wine from Vacqueyras region of the Cotes du Rhone.  It gets 90 points from the International Wine Cellar:  "Deep ruby. Rich blackberry and kirsch aromas are complicated by candied flowers, anise and garrique, with a sexy note of cola coming up for air.  Sweet dark berry flavors coat the palate, firmed by fine-grained tannins that are quickly absorbed by the fruit.  This sweet, long wine is already very alluring."

And Robert Parker gives it 89-91 points:  "The general style is one of fruity, good quality, commercially-styled wines that represent very good value, and are immensely appealing.  All of the 2007s (Cotes du Rhone) are fruit-laden, lush and best drunk in their first 3-5 years of life.  The sumptuous Domiane Le Mas du Bouquet, 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 10% Mourvedre, is aged in tank prior to bottling."

I've tasted this wine on two different occasions and was very impressed both times, a delicious wine IMO.  The list price is $16, but K&L Wines is selling it for $12.99.  I think it's a solid wine for the list price.  At the reduced price, I think this is a high-QPR wine.

2007 Paul Jaboulet "Parallele 45" Cotes du Rhone

The 2006 vintage of this wine received a Best Values designation from Wine Spectator.  From tasting last night, I think the 2007 vintage shows more fruit and structure.  From the winemaker:  "The wine has a deep color, with elegant and expressive aromas of red fruits and spices.  On the palate, the wine has a solid structure, ripe tannins, and a spicy character."

Another excellent, value-price 2007 Cotes du Rhone, IMO, composed of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah.  The dominant flavor that comes through to me is ripe fruit and grape jam.  The list price is $13 but you can find it easily under $10 (Bottle Barn in Santa Rosa had it last weekend for $8.99).  For under $10 a bottle, I think this is a high-QPR wine.

2007 Comte Louis de Clermont-Tonnerre (Vieille Vignes), Cotes du Rhone-Villages

I tried this wine last night -- a nice, tasty Cotes du Rhone from the village of Cairanne and the Collection Alain Corcia -- made from very old vines.  Good fruit aromas and flavors with a structure somewhat more full-bodied than the 2007 Perrin Reserve Cotes du Rhone discussed previously and about equivalent body to the 2007 Delas St-Esprit.  My wife and I had a slight preference for the 2007 Delas St-Esprit.  The list price of this wine is $10.99 compared to $9.99 for the St-Esprit (at K&L Wines).  Try it and compare for yourself -- I think both wines offer excellent QPR.

2007 Domaine Grand Veneur "Champauvins" Cotes-du-Rhone Villages

The 2007 "Champauvins" is a high-level wine.  A southern Rhone wine that is definitely cellar-worthy.  It is a Chateauneuf-du-Pape-esque wine without the $30-100 price tag.  The grapes for "Champauvins" come from a vineyard that borders Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

This wine gets 91 points from Robert Parker:  "The Champauvins is a serious effort that could easily be mistaken for a Chateauneuf-du-Pape.  Sweet black cherry fruit, seaweed wrapper, licorice, pepper and spice aromas are followed by a wine with a broad, savory mouthfeel, sweet tannin, and a long finish."

I've tried it on two occasions and was blown away both times.  You need to decant it and let it breath for an hour before serving.  A complex, delicious, superb wine IMO.  I've decided to get a couple cases for the wine locker, and try one every six months to see how it is aging.  I expect it to age incredibly well and to be one of the stars of my wine cellar in a few years.

As is obvious from the other posts, I search for wines that are very modestly priced.  This wine, available for $16-18 at many wine shops, is priced somewhat higher than the other wines I have reviewed.  (It's offered for $15.99 at my local wine shop -- Bottle Barn, Santa Rosa, CA).  However, I think the quality-to-price ratio is excellent for a high-quality wine that you can cellar for 5 or more years (and enjoy for many more).

2007 Delas "St-Esprit" Cotes-du-Rhone

This Cotes-du-Rhone is made of 75% Syrah and 25% Grenache, and it has somewhat more body than regular CDRs.  It kind of reminds me of some Cotes-du-Rhone Village wines.

The 2007 Delas "St-Esprit" gets 90 points from Robert Parker:  "The amazing 2007 Cotes du Rhone St-Esprit reveals a northern Rhone orientation, but it is loaded with spice and black friuts, and displays a beautiful opulent texture as well as a gorgeous finish with impressive purity."

K&L Wines and other wine shops sell it for $9.99 a bottle.  Another CDR that I love, and a very impressive quality-to-price ratio IMO.

2007 Perrin Reserve Cotes-du-Rhone (Rouge)

This is another 2007 Cotes-du-Rhone that I think has a very attractive quality-to-price ratio.  This wine is again made by the Perrin family of Chateau de Beaucastel fame.  I have bought it at $7.99 per bottle from three wine shops.  I think it has more structure and more body than the 2007 La Vieille Ferme "Cotes du Ventoux" that was discussed previously.

I like both wines very much.  I prefer the 2007 Perrin Reserve CDR with steaks and heavier meat dishes.  However, both wines are excellent weekday table wines IMO.  Robert Parker gives the 2007 Perrin Reserve 88 points.

2007 La Vieille Ferme "Cotes du Ventoux" (Rouge)

The Rhone Valley in France is one of my favorite regions for value-priced wines.  The southern region of the Rhone Valley produces both high-level wines like Chateauneuf-du-Pape and mid-level wines from selected villages (Cotes du Rhone-Villages) or generic Cotes du Rhone wines without a village designation.

The 2007 vintage was one of the all-time greatest vintages for the southern Rhone, and there are so many very good-to-excellent wines to choose from.  IMO the 2007 La Vieille Ferme "Cotes du Ventoux" red wine has one of the highest quality-to-price ratios.

Robert Parker gives it 87 points:  "A blend of Grenache, Syrah, Carignan and Cinsault.  A classic bistro red offering aromas and flavors of berry fruit, licorice, pepper and spice.  Enjoy this soft, round, delicious wine. ...  This is consistently a top value pick."

La Vieille Ferme is made by the Perrin family that runs Chateau de Beaucastel, one of the great estates in southern France.  It is medium-bodied, rich with red fruit, and very low tannins.  My wife and I think it's delicious and goes well with chicken, pork or meat dishes.  A wonderful weekday table wine.

My local wine shop -- Bottle Barn in Santa Rosa -- sells it for $6 a bottle (yes, $6 was not a typo).  Drink it now (and buy a couple extra cases to last the next year or so -- I think we're on our third case).  Beware - The production was large, but many stores may run out in the next couple months.