2007 Domaine Lafond Roc Epine Lirac
As Twisting Vines has previously noted, 2007 was a great year for Rhone wines. The three grapes that go into the region’s famous Châteauneuf du Pape are Grenache, Mourvédre, Syrah.

The Domaine Lafond produced a terrific Châteauneuf du Pape that received 91 points from Robert Parker. Although the wine has come down in price – $36 from $46, it’s still out of the price range of most wine drinkers.

One of the things I learned when studying for my wine certification at San Diego State, is to check out other wines from the same producer or nearby wineries to find similar wines that are very good, at half the price.

Using the same grape blend as the Châteauneuf, Domaine Lafond produces another red blend – Roc Epine Lirac, that is a great value option.

Dark ruby color. Aromas of black cherry, licorice, earth and minerals. Flavors of dark berries, mineral and a hint of pear. Medium bodied. Balanced. with a smooth, dry finish. A food friendly wine that goes well with soft white cheeses, including blue cheese, goat cheese and brie;  as well as barbecued chicken and ribs. Drink now up to 2-3 years. Costco – $14

2007 Châteauneuf-du-Pape
The hottest wine going into 2010. Robert Parker said this is the best vintage since 1998.

“This is the greatest vintage I’ve ever tasted in the southern Rhone.”said Parker, at the CIA tasting in St. Helena. “The $12 and $15 wines from the Rhone from ‘07 were also the best I’ve ever tasted.

Most Châteauneuf-du-Pape is made up of 3 high quality grapes: Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah. This southern Rhone wine is invariably high-alcohol, heady and rich. The best Châteauneuf is usually estate bottled.

The challenge: to find a good Châteauneuf-du-Pape under $40.

2007 Roger Sabon “Reserve” Châteauneuf-du-Pape
“Ruby-red. Intensely floral scents of raspberry, lavender, magnolia and garrigue Palate-coating red berry flavors are firmed by juicy acidity and complicated by smoky herbs and a sweet floral pastille quality. Finishes broad and precise, with supple tannins and considerable depth. This is one for the cellar.” Stephen Tanzer 92-95 points.

“Revealing a deeper, more saturated ruby/purple color, the full-bodied 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reserve exhibits plenty of glycerin, a multilayered texture, and a sensational combination of rich black currant and kirsch fruit intermixed with licorice, roasted herb, and forest floor notes. A blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10% Cinsault aged in both foudre and old demi-muids, it should drink well for 12-15+ years.” Robert Parker 92 points.

“This is elegant, with incense and raspberry notes up front, followed by red plum, roasted vanilla bean and black tea. The finish is long and silky. A very perfumy style, with gorgeous mouthfeel. Drink now through 2019. Wine Spectator 92 points. $38

2007 Delas Frères “Haute Pierre” Châteauneuf-du-Pape
“The 2007 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah. It reveals a deep ruby/purple color in addition to a gorgeous nose of black fruits, spring flowers, licorice, incense, lavender, and grilled Provencal herbs. Dense, full-bodied, flamboyant, and chewy, with that terrific freshness and purity that characterize this great vintage in the south, it should drink well for 12-15+ years.” “Very friendly fig, boysenberry and blackberry fruit is woven with violet, anise and fruitcake notes that extend through the long, well-rounded finish. Drink now through 2019.” Wine Spectator 91 points.

Beginning in the late 1990s Delas Frères undertook a renaissance in wine. Their objective: to produce stunning terroir driven wines with exceptional quality-to-price ratio. Under new leadership and ambitious investments in the winery, they are succeeding admirably. With the 2007 Haute Pierre, winemaker Jacques Grange and his team have once again produced a Rhône wine with an amazing price quality ratio. Recommended pairings include beef daube a la Provencale, lamb stew or sirloin steak slathered with anchovy butter. Robert Parker 92-94 points. $32

2007 Alain Corcia “Patricia” Châteauneuf-du-Pape
“The dense ruby/plum/purple-tinged, full-bodied 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Patricia (named after his wife) reveals a ripe, opulent nose of lavishly concentrated red and black fruits, garrigue, pepper, flowers, and forest floor. This deep, rich, intense 2007 is already accessible, although it is capable of lasting for a decade.” Robert Parker 93 points. $27

2007 André Brunel “Les Cailloux” Châteauneuf-du-Pape
“Two brilliant successes are Brunel’s cuvees of 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape. The 2007 Les Cailloux Tradition (a blend of 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 12% Syrah, and 3% other authorized varieties) comes from 60-year-old vines and is aged completely in tank except for the Mourvedre and Syrah components, which are kept in small barrels. Explosively fruity, this dense plum/purple-colored wine displays grilled meat notes intermixed with Provencal herbs, spice box, black cherry and black currant, in addition to having a lush, opulent texture. The finish goes on and on, and the wine is beautifully pure. It can be drunk now or cellared for 12 or more years. Robert Parker 93 points. $23