WTN - Perrin Réserve 2004 Côtes du Rhône Rouge

[Robin Garr]

<table border="0" align="right" width="170"><tr><td><img src="http://www.wineloverspage.com/graphics1/perr1111.jpg" border="1" align="right"></td></tr></table>Perrin Réserve 2004 Côtes du Rhône Rouge ($10.79)

This is a fine-value red wine from the Perrin family, producers of the fabled Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape. It's very dark garnet in color, with aromas of black fruit and spice plus a whiff of pepper. Flavors are consistent with the nose, spicy red berries, tangy acidity and a surprising edge of rather rough tannins. Odd combination of light body and full flavor, but it works. It's nothing fancy, but it reminds me pleasantly of red wines served in small pitchers in Paris cafes, back in the days - it hasn't been <i>that</i> long - when I was first learning about wine and about Paris. U.S. importer: Vineyard Brands, Inc., Birmingham, Ala. (Nov. 11, 2006)

<B>FOOD MATCH:</b> Okay, it's not Italian, but it still makes a splendid match with a simple dish of spaghetti and beef meatballs. It would serve well with a wide range of red meat or poultry.

<B>VALUE:</B> The $10 price point seems fair in today's market, but take the time to shop around, as it's often discounted as low as $7 or $8.

<B>WHEN TO DRINK:</B> Not really an ager. Enjoy it soon, then watch for newer vintages.

<B>WEB LINK:</B>
The Perrin & Fils Website offers a Perrin Réserve fact sheet, from where you can back up to read more about the company and its wines.

<B>FIND THIS WINE ONLINE:</B>
Look up vendors and check prices for Perrin Réserve on Wine-Searcher.com.

I had a chance to taste some Perrin whites at a recent tasting, very good for the price!!

Your notes agree pretty closely with my impressions of the Perrin Reserve, Robin. FWIW, I found the '04 to be the best they've made. However, I still prefer the CdRs of some smaller producers, such as the L'Espigouette Reserve brought in by J et R. For a mass-market wine, the Perrin Reserve is quite good, though.

Mark Lipton

[Robin Garr]

Your notes agree pretty closely with my impressions of the Perrin Reserve, Robin. FWIW, I found the '04 to be the best they've made. However, I still prefer the CdRs of some smaller producers, such as the L'Espigouette Reserve brought in by J et R. For a mass-market wine, the Perrin Reserve is quite good, though.

I'm with you 100 percent, Mark. It should be noted, though, that for these Wine Advisor posts, which go out to about 40,000 readers all over, I try to slip in widely available QPR wines reasonably often, in order to make up for all the wacky stuff I report from J et R, Dressner, etc., that's really hard for people to find.

Your notes agree pretty closely with my impressions of the Perrin Reserve, Robin. FWIW, I found the '04 to be the best they've made. Mark Lipton

I also agree with the notes. But several vintages have, IMHO, been more traditional with more earthiness, barnyard, horse blanket, whatever -- that gorgeous rhone funk. 99 - 02 all had funky tastes. The O4 has nice spice, decent fruit, but almost no rhone funk. In fact, maybe they've cleaned up all of the 04s. I am still looking for one to buy by the case, but haven't found a funky enough one yet.