Value Rhône reds: Top 10 under £18
Reds from northern and southern Rhône, at prices that won’t break the bank. See the top 10, and Judge Matt Walls analyses the results...
Value Rhône reds: Top 10 under £18
The Rhône might be one of the classic wine regions of France, but it remains just as fruitful for the bargain hunter as for the serious collector. Rhône reds in particular have long had a reputation for delivering good value and this recent tasting of inexpensive reds largely confirmed it.
At this price level, the named village wines performed strongly and ‘generally showed their individuality and quality’, according to panel judge Joanna Simon. Cairanne performed particularly well – justifying its recent elevation from Côtes du Rhône-Villages to AC status – with Plan de Dieu and Massif d’Uchaux not far behind.
There were plenty of solid wines from southern Rhône crus like Vinsobres and Lirac. Though better known, Vacqueyras and Rasteau and were less reliable. Good-quality Châteauneuf-du-Pape has long sat outside this price bracket, and it seems that Gigondas, once seen as ‘the poor man’s Châteauneuf’, is heading the same way.
One surprise was the quality of some of the straight AC Côtes du Rhônes. As you might expect at this most basic level, quality oscillated wildly; but there are some delicious wines if you know what to buy.
Little from the northern Rhône fell into our price bracket but the cheapest Crozes- Hermitage. Most that we tasted were from the tricky 2013 and 2014 vintages; quality was inconsistent, but a handful delivered.
That we weren’t tasting richer vintages may have been a blessing: we found few examples of jammy fruit or unbalanced alcohol. ‘I was very impressed with the wines’ freshness,’ said Decanter’s Christelle Guibert. ‘Overall I felt the oak was very well managed, with only a few exceptions.’
Simon summed up our impressions well: ‘Overall, it was a solid performance, especially in the price range.’
Cave de Tain, Crozes-Hermitage, Rhône, France, 2013
91
<p>Classic Crozes nose with perfumed fresh berry fruit underscored by rich notes of pepper and roasted meats. The alluringly supple and persistent palate offers a ripe fruit core delicately enrobed in soft tannins. Delicious Syrah silkiness.</p>
2013
Cave de TainCrozes-Hermitage
Domaine Oratoire St Martin, Réserve des Seigneurs, Côtes du Rhône Villages, Villages, Rhône, France, 2013
91
Wonderfully aromatic with a gamey richness overlaid by notes of rosemary and lavender. The palate is full bodied and intense, with grainy, integrated tannins and a superb long finish. Characterful wine that resonates Rhône.
2013
Domaine Oratoire St MartinCôtes du Rhône Villages
Caves de Rasteau, Ortas Tradition, Rhône, France, 2013
90
Rich aromas of earthy, brambly fruit and dark chocolate lifted by perfumed black cherry. Powerful yet polished, persistent palate with concentrated fruit and an attractive hint of orange freshness on the finish. Pair this with a hearty stew and it would really hit the spot.
2013
Caves de Rasteau
Domaine des Amadieu, Vieilles Vignes, Côtes du Rhône Villages, Villages, Rhône, France, 2014
90
Appealingly perfumed strawberries, cherries and bramble fruits waft up from the glass. On the palate they are bolstered by a fine tannic structure, delivering an elegantly poised and wonderfully fresh mouthfeel. Eminently drinkable with a lingering, clean finish.
2014
Domaine des AmadieuCôtes du Rhône Villages
Domaine Chaume-Arnaud, Vinsobres, Rhône, France, 2013
90
Savoury meatiness to the nose, delightfully underpinned by plenty of sweet black fruit. Structured and robust in the mouth, yet combining lovely detail and freshness with the perfect level of ripeness. Interesting complexity with great length and a lovely fresh finish.
2013
Domaine Chaume-Arnaud
Domaine de la Renjarde, Les Cassagnes de la Nerthe, Côtes du Rhône Villages, Villages, Rhône, France, 2013
90
Intense, youthful nose of loganberries, strawberries and cherries underscored by a hint of spicy liquorice. Fresh mouthfeel with mineral, dry tannins delivering an appealing finesse. Made with precision and now coming into its own.
2013
Domaine de la RenjardeCôtes du Rhône Villages
Domaine de L’Amandine, Séguret, Côtes du Rhône Villages, Villages, Rhône, France, 2012
90
Attractive, berry-driven nose with sweet notes of strawberry jam. On the palate, the silky milk-chocolate richness is lifted by a raspberry backbone that steers the palate towards a bright, fresh finish. Wellcrafted and very drinkable.
2012
Domaine de L’AmandineCôtes du Rhône Villages
Domaine des Pasquiers, Plan de Dieu, Côtes du Rhône Villages, Villages, Rhône, France, 2014
90
Perfumed plums and baked bramble fruit enriched by alluring notes of sweet chestnut. Agreeable rusticity to the mouthfeel. Lovely spicy depth, ebullient fruit and ripe, grainy tannins enlivened by a delicious mineral freshness. Lots to enjoy here.
2014
Domaine des PasquiersCôtes du Rhône Villages
Domaine Saint Gayan, Gigondas, Gigondas, Rhône, France, 2012
90
Fragrant spiced sweet cherries with a fresh leafy lift and a hint of rosemary. The spicy cherry theme continues on the palate where the soft, yielding fruit is underscored by rich notes of cocoa and vanilla and coated with rounded tannins. Full bodied, developed and appealingly harmonious.
2012
Domaine Saint GayanGigondas
Chante-Perdrix, Vignobles Verzier, St-Joseph, Les Serines, Rhône, France, 2013
90
Bright, spicy nose with soft notes of blackberries and medicinal herbs. Characterful palate of fresh blackcurrants underpinned by a touch of tarry liquorice and rounded out by milk chocolate oak. The rustic feel is carried through the clean, herbal finish.
2013
Chante-PerdrixSt-Joseph
