Red Cotes du Rhone wines are from a key wine region in the Southeast of France and are a blend of Syrah, Granache, and maybe Mourvedre. Most French wines do not possess the characteristic of being strongly fruitforward, but this wine had a wonderful array of fruit flavors to offer such as crushed blueberries and bright cherries, spice, black pepper, and smoke. It can also boast of a silky,smooth finish.
I paired it with smoked pork steak (cooked with a spice rub) served with a side of Country Bob's barbeque sauce. This was an awesome combination of flavors. (We also had a bottle of Valpolicella wine (partially made in the ripasso style) that went equally as well with the smoked meat.)
Laurence Feraud of Domaine du Pegau and Andre Brunel of Les Cailloux partnered together for this wonderful Rhone blend that has received scores of 86-91 from several organizations. Prices are around or below $20. I found it for less at Costco - whose a thoughtfully assembled wine collection I regularly survey.
Keep this one in mind for summer barbeque and hardy meats - especially grilled and smoked! Cheers!
