Today we are thrilled to offer you a pair of absolutely rocking Rhône reds, leading with a perennial favorite from vigneron Louis Barruol!

Smooth, silky and pleasure-packed, his 2023 Saint Cosme Côtes-du-Rhône explodes from the glass with deliciously pure and ripe red and black fruit flavors. Still selling for under fifteen bucks, it remains one of the best red wine values on the planet. After nearly 2/3 of a century in the wine business, it takes a lot to impress our founder. If you want to know what wine he drinks most at home and recommends most to friends, this is it...

“In my 65 years in the wine business, I've learned how difficult it is for a producer to make a consistently excellent wine year in and year out. At Saint Cosme, that is exactly what they do, and I greatly appreciate that they do it for a price that has not changed much over the past 20 years.”
-Bud Schwarzbach, Vin Chicago Founder

Scroll down for all the juicy details on this 90-Point banger, and for a special 2019 bottling of Châteauneuf-du-Pape from Domaine Paul Autard, then smash down on the Big Green Button to get in on the fun!

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2023 Saint Cosme Côtes-du-Rhône
Southern Rhône Valley, France
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It is remarkable how, year after year, Saint Cosme delivers such a delicious drinking experience with their Côtes-du-Rhône. Pouring a gorgeous dark violet, this 2023 bottling shares its lifted aromas and generous flavors of dark raspberry, blackberry, and plum. right out of the gate, with additional complexity in the form of black pepper, baking spices, rocky minerality, and fresh lavender joining in after about half an hour. Silky on the palate, with round tannins and a long, mouthwatering finish, it's simply wonderful that such a delicious wine is available for the price.

As with all wines of this type, it is best enjoyed a good 5 to 10 degrees below room temperature. 30 to 45 minutes in the fridge will do the trick nicely. Check out these spot-on tasting notes from Wine Spectator…

"There's a pure core of fresh blackberry, crunchy plum and violet in this vibrant version, with the subtlest brushing of vanilla. Layers of graphite and fine-grained tannins provide a solid framework. Compact, with savory details emerging toward the solid, medium-bodied finish, which is grounded in salty mineral notes and a waft of alder smoke. Drink now through 2028."
          - 90 Points, Wine Spectator (11/21/2024)

The versatility with food is nearly limitless. Enjoy with anything from prime cuts of beef, to burgers, sausages, pizza, hearty red-sauce pastas, or your family’s famous chili.

Wine Spectator quotes $21. Median online retail is $17, and this is a GREAT buy at that price. Looking for a perfect house red? You cannot go wrong here!

Vin Chicago Price: 14.79

Special Price on Blockbuster 95-Point Châteauneuf from Paul Autard!

2019 Domaine Paul Autard "Juline"
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône Valley, France
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Paul Autard’s “Juline” Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a 200 case production powerhouse named after his children, Jules and Pauline Autard. To avoid playing favorites, it is an equal part blend of 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah, 100% destemmed and then individual berry sorted to include the best grapes from the estate’s top parcels.

This lavish and deeply concentrated red was fermented on the skins for one month in small French oak barrels, followed by another 20 months of aging in new French oak. The result is a full throttle, full-bodied wine that exudes Châteauneuf’s classic deep red and black fruit characteristics layered with spices, dried herbs, flowers, and a warm, rocky earthiness. Quoting a release price of $100, Wine Spectator writes...

“Very expressive and fruit-driven, with a gorgeous beam of raspberry, plum and cherry puree flavors stitched together seamlessly, while enticing red tea, incense and red licorice notes fill in throughout. Gorgeous mouthfeel through the lengthy finish, too. Grenache and Syrah. Best from 2023 through 2034. 200 cases made, 50 cases imported.”
          - 95 Points, Wine Spectator (7/31/2022)

At six years of age, this beauty is aching to be splashed into a decanter then thoroughly enjoyed with prime Filet Mignon and sautéed wild mushrooms! Looking online, we found just one listing. As expected, our price blows it away!

Vin Chicago Price: 69.99