The Incredible Affordability of a Delicious Côtes du Rhône! (Plus a $17.99 "Baby Châteauneuf" Blanc...)
There are few wines that are more satisfying and more deliciously drinkable than a really good Côtes du Rhône. Today, we present our current best buy from this famously affordable region!
The newly arrived 2022 Domaine des Bouzons "La Friandise" Côtes du Rhône Rouge from sixth-generation farmer Marc Serguier is juicy with red fruits, fresh herbs, white pepper and gritty red earth. It’s super easy to drink, fantastically versatile at the table, and each sip gives classic Southern Rhône flavors. Best of all, the price of this delicious red is just $12.99.
Read on for the story on this hugely overdelivering estate-grown red, and for a plump, silky, exotic, and mineral-fresh $17.99 white that earns comparisons to the generous whites of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, then hit that Big Yellow Button while our specially imported supply lasts!
2022 Domaine des Bouzons "La Friandise"
Côtes du Rhône, Rhône Valley, France
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Sourced from a five hectare vineyard featuring 45 year old vines, this organically farmed blend of 80% Grenache, 15% Syrah, and 5% Counoise is the fourth vintage of "La Friandise" we’ve had in the past five years. As longtime Vin Chicagoans know, we rarely buy the same wines every year, but when the quality is as high as it is here and the price is so low, it’s an easy call!
Proprietor Marc Serguier is the sixth generation of his family to grow grapes in the Southern Rhône and he was recently joined at the estate by his young son Nicolas. Their classic Côtes du Rhône gives beautiful red berry flavors of fresh-picked raspberry and cherry along with defining Southern Rhône notes of clay, red rock, and limestone earth. Hints of white pepper, fresh sage, thyme, and red flowers round out the story beautifully.
The fresh, soft mouthfeel of this 13% ABV red makes it perfect on its own or at the dinner table partnered with burgers, pasta and sausages. Simply put, we love it.
This wine comes to us courtesy of one of our most reliable contacts in France, who happens to be from the same village as Marc. With him coordinating the logistics, we are able to bypass a layer of the traditional supply chain and bring you this authentic Côtes du Rhône at pricing that harkens back to a decade ago. Our supply is limited to what's on hand, so don't miss out!
Vin Chicago Price: 12.99
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This $17.99 White Rhône Drinks Like a Châteauneuf Blanc!
2022 Domaine Vindemio "Ignis" Blanc
Ventoux, Rhône Valley, France
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This full and fleshy organic white comes from 70% Clairette with 30% Grenache Blanc grapes grown near the base of Mont Ventoux. With its juicy orchard, generous stone fruit, baking spices, and overall exotic presence, it offers the kind of character that we love about the rare white wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, just at a MUCH lower price.
Florentine and Albine Combe are the fifth generation tending to their family property and they produce this vibrant, rich wine with very little intervention. Full of life and drinkable verve, it is delicious by itself and will be especially adored by those who enjoy rich Albariños and Viogniers. We enjoyed a bottle the other night with a simple chicken and green pea pasta cream sauce dish and it was a delicious pairing. This is a strong 91+ Points on our scale. Grab a couple of bottles for the holiday table or for gifts. Your guests and family will seriously love it.
As with the red from Domaine des Bouzons, this wonderful white is an exceptional value.
Vin Chicago Price: 17.99
