The $18.99 Rasteau that Drinks Like $40 Châteauneuf!
The Southern Rhône Valley is known for its deliciously full, peppery-fruited, pleasure giving reds, with its most legendary wines coming from the "galets roulés" strewn vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas. There are, however, other Rhône villages whose vineyards are covered with these famous rocks. While not as well known, they also produce phenomenal wines, and the prices can be shockingly good.
Today, we bring you a stunning red from the galets roulés covered vineyard of Jean-Pierre Bertrand. Located just minutes from the Châteauneuf border, his bold 2022 Rasteau boasts the delicious concentration and power of a classic Châteauneuf or Gigondas, yet sells for half the price, an amount more aligned with Côtes-du-Rhône!
And, speaking of Côtes-du-Rhône, Jean-Pierre makes one of those too - and it is equally awesome. Juicy, gutsy, and going for a cut-out-the-middlemen Vin Chicago price of $12.99, it is an equally EXTREME value.
Scroll down for the details, then hit fast on the Big Green Button to lock in on two of the most delicious red wine deals on the market!
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2023 Domaine Grand Nicolet Côtes-du-Rhône
Southern Rhône Valley, France
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Bright and concentrated, this expressive, deep ruby/purple colored Côtes-du-Rhône is a blend of 60% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 15% Carignan from a small plot of old, hand-harvested vines owned and farmed by Jean-Pierre Bertrand located just outside the perimeter of the Rasteau zone.
Attractive aromas and flavors of red flowers, pure raspberry and strawberry dominate on the nose and palate, with black pepper, olive, and hints of wild game and herbs adding nuance to this grippy and gutsy yet soft and very easy to drink red. Distinctive, fresh, alive, and loaded with juicy yummy fruit, the 2023 Domaine Grand Nicolet CdR drinks great from the moment the cork is popped, and reveals even more depth and intensely on day two. On our scale, this estate-grown red earns a VERY charming 91 points.
By having it imported directly via our highly streamlined logistics chain, we're able to bring this beautiful Côtes-du-Rhône to you for a price that completely belies the quality in the bottle. If you paid $17, you'd be getting a great value. At our price, the quality-to-price ratio is beyond ridiculous.
Whether you grab a few bottles or a case, we encourage you to share some with your friends who don't yet know about Vin Chicago. As much as any wine, this is a great way to let them know what we're all about!
Vin Chicago Price: 12.99
2022 Domaine Grand Nicolet "Terre des Bertrand"
Rasteau, Southern Rhône Valley, France
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This is today's headline wine, and it comes from Rasteau, the home village of Jean-Pierre Bertrand. As pictured in the introduction, his old, hand-tended vines grow in rocky soils that look spot-on identical to those of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. If tasted blind among a group of $40+ Châteauneuf-du-Papes, this wine would fit right in.
Raised in cement without use of any new oak, his 2022 "Terre des Bertrand" Rasteau is a blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah and - the secret ingredient that gives it a distinctive savory soulfulness - 20% Carignan. The Carignan really pops, giving a meaty “sauvage” to go with all the deliciously dark and fleshy layers of black raspberry, fresh black cherry, cassis, and fig fruit. With nuances of grilled rosemary and red rock earth flavors adding further complexity, the wine is very dense and decadent, with plenty of power, lift and energy on its long, superbly balanced finish.
Earning 92+ points from our team, this packs a vibrant, Châteauneuf-like punch, and it does so for half the price!
When the cover comes off your grill, this will be PERFECT with spring racks of lamb and whatever else you toss on. Drink now and through the end of the decade. The value here is awesome! Supply is limited to what we have on hand so click quick. This beauty will move fast.
Vin Chicago Price: 18.99
