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 for money and this recent Decanter panel tasting of inexpensive reds largely confirmed it.
This week find 17 value-for-money Rhône reds recommended by Decanter experts. 7 are available in China.
Bright aromas of crisp red fruits with smoky, roasted undertones. Soft notes of creamy vanilla complement the fruit on a yielding palate kept in check by fine tannins and a fresh mineral finish. Poised, polished and presenting well now.
Enticing aromas of spicy, ripe black fruit and sun warmed earth. Yielding, expansive palate full of rich, sweet dark fruit, with supple tannins and an appealing warmth on the finish. Drinking now.
Redolent nose proffering an autumnal perfume of black cherries and blackcurrants which waft onto the palate where they are pleasingly invigorated by a peppery freshness. Pleasant upright structure with good depth and a fresh, clean finish.
Pure cherry and strawberry nose underpinned by a touch of brooding roasted black fruit and a hint of almond. The powerful palate echoes the black fruit, enhancing it with a savoury twist of pepper. Tightly structured with neat, fine-grained tannins. Very impressive for a straight Cotes du Rhone.
Dark nose of liquorice-spiced fruit with savoury touches of pepper and tar. A green backbone and ripe, chewy tannins bring structure to the silky palate. Medium-bodied and showing good intensity.
Rich notes of black cherry jam and milk chocolate march boldly onto the palate where they are sprinkled with black pepper and a hint of thyme. Powerful and structured yet with a softness of tannin which lends a rounded mouth-feel. Pleasing long, warm finish
Rich aromas of sun-warmed earth and stones lifted by black cherry fruit. Firm, structured, youthful palate packed with sweet, juicy strawberries and blackcurrants and sprinkled with peppery spice. Fine, grainy tannins and good length. A touch rustic but authentic.
Bright, spicy nose with soft undertones of blackberries and fragrant notes of medicinal herbs. Characterful mouthful of fresh blackcurrants underpinned by a touch of tarry liquorice and rounded out by milk chocolately oak. The rustic feel is carried through the clean, herbal finish.
Fragrant aromas of 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 developed and appealingly harmonious.
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.
Attractive berry-driven nose with sweet notes of strawberry jam. On the palate, the silky milk chocolate richness is enlivnened by a keen raspberry backbone which steers the palate towards a bright, fresh finish. Well-crafted and very drinkable.
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 coming into its own within a year.
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 clean finish.
Appealingly perfumed strawberries, cherries and bramble fruits waft up from the glass and onto the palate where they are underpinned by a fine tannic structure, delivering an elegantly poised and wonderfully fresh mouthfeel. Eminently drinkable with a lingering, clean finish.
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.
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 Rhone.
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.