Jehan Guillaume Côtes du Rhône 2011
In terms of value, this is as good as many Rhône reds with much better-known labels that cost twice as much. If you are one of these label buyers we hear so much about, stay away from this one. Everything good about this wine is inside the bottle, except the price. That'll be why Jo Burzynska, wine writer for the NZ Herald, named the last vintage as one of her "Credit Crunch Crackers" and went on to call it, "One of the best value wines I've tried this year and something that could easily be passed off as a far more expensive bottle." Tons of character, soft tannins, plenty of stuffing and a dash of black pepper. This wine is just so drinkable and mouth-filling, it seems to stain your palate with Rhôneness.

Jehan Guillaume is what the British wine trade might call a "bistro style Cotes du Rhone" which does actually describe the wine a little better than you might think: It's tremendously easy to drink, well-balanced, with plenty of sunny, southern French character all in a medium-bodied package making it very food friendly.

""Bright and fragrant, this youthful beauty is full of ripe cherries and plums together with hints of floral and spice. It's juicy and silky on the palate with lovely fruit intensity and fine tannins, leading to a lingering succulent finish. Well balanced and soothing, this is a great drinking Cotes du Rhone at a superb price. At its best: now to 2015."
- 90 Pts, Sam Kim, Wine Orbit