Paul Jaboulet Aine, Parallele 45, Cotes du Rhone, 2006
This is an old favorite. This wine always seems to be a good value. It's not great. But then, it's not expensive either. This is a good table wine, or a fine wine to bring to a dinner party (or even a party without the dinner). And this year's addition was no different. Wine Spectator gave this an 86; not bad. So what did we think?
The nose was leather, coffee, pomegranate, orange (strange, but true), and wood chips. The taste was plum, black cherry, and raisin. And the finish was mainly raisin and dry wood. The most noteable quality was how smooth this wine felt. It's only $12-$13, so it's super smooth compared to wines normally in this price range. No, not one you'll keep in your cellar for a decade waiting for that special occasion. Yet, it's an easy grab at the grocery store on the way to the party. No one will complain.
Cost:
Rating:
7.0 (no, 7 does not equate to "70" on our scale; think of "7.0" as in 70%, or a solid "C" grade).
(60% Grenache, 40% Syrah)