Remember when Côtes du Rhône was a go-to appellation for easy to drink because softly textured red wine? The wines were earthy and spicy, with a rustic note that only added to their charm. Far too many renditions today taste heavy-handed, and lack distinction. But here’s a tasty reminder of what the region used to do so well, and surely still can. It has smoky black fruit flavor, peppery undertones, and a lush softness on the palate. A wine to enjoy, not treasure, it provides lots of pleasure for very little money.
La Petite Fontaine, Côtes du Rhône (Rhône Valley, France) 2010
By Paul Lukacs