Perrin Reserve, Cotes du Rhone 2007
$10
Dekalb Farmer's Market
Having always been a fan of the Rhone wines, especially their peppery layers and hints of flavors that earn tags like "wet earth" and "underbrush," I am always on the lookout for something both affordable and quaffable from the region. This means, of course, picking through bottles from southern Rhone vintages, mixing primarily grenache and syrah grapes. (Apparently in the northern Rhone, of the red grapes, only Syrah is planted.) The southern Rhone is of Mediterranean climate--arid and wind swept, with some worry about cold winds sweeping down the valley. In the past thirty years, the Rhone has become synonymous with "French red wine," (or so they say), and this means a lot of plonk comes out of the region. Of course, plonk is pretty good these days. Just not that interesting.
So I'm not sure where to place this one. It is fruity and light. Cherry blossoms linger on the tongue. This is balanced with white peppercorn, and both flavors fade into a kind of grassy slope. I would give it a strong rating for a $10 wine. I find it more drinkable than fruit forward California wines at the same price point. In fact, I opened a bottle of this after starting with a Hahn Cabernet, which was a typical Hahn offering: flawless; complex; and it cold cocks you. One glass only, please. I could drink the Perrin Reserve all day. While working in the garden. It's a little short up against a steak, but it wasn't completely destroyed by the tri tip roast we made last night.
Rate it: buy again.
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