WTN: ok cheap CdR

Thursday Betsy made several Madhur Jaffrey recipes, a rogan gosh (lamb), some tahiri (Rice with peas), and very good cauliflower. I thought re beer, but decided on wine. I usually think white, but with the lamb I thought a red with some spice. My only Zins were more "serious", so I went with the 2005 Vrac Cotes du Rhone (and yes, I'm aware of the peculiarity of a bottle with this name). Fresh and fruity, a lightweight wine with light flavors of raspberry and cherry, light tannins, light acidity. A light wine. Nothing that shouts Rhone, but a pleasant easy drinking little wine (that could be from anywhere). Not distinctive enough to look for, but certainly won't offend anyone at a backyard party. B-/B

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.

[James Roscoe]

What was the price? Some of the CdRs are still under $10 and make for decent qpr, especially for the backyard party season.

$8ish

[James Roscoe]

$8ish

At $8 it might be worth getting for a backyard hamburger and hotdog get together. It sounds as if it aspires to be what it is. Is that bad?

"Vrac" means "bulk". No other indications of origin?

It's certainly not bad, James, and I think its fine for what it is. But at every price point I try to maximize my value, and for a backyard party style wine I'd generally be a little happier spending my 8 bucks for a wine that is as friendly but that I thought showed a tad more character (Iche Heretiques VdP, Piazzano Chianti, Quinta da Cabriz Dao, Lafond CdR, Borsao,etc).

[James Roscoe]

It's certainly not bad, James, and I think its fine for what it is. But at every price point I try to maximize my value, and for a backyard party style wine I'd generally be a little happier spending my 8 bucks for a wine that is as friendly but that I thought showed a tad more character (Iche Heretiques VdP, Piazzano Chianti, Quinta da Cabriz Dao, Lafond CdR, Borsao,etc).

I agree with you, but the Vrac CdR is pretty ubiquitous. I haven't ever heard of the others on your list. I have never tried the Vrac mind you. I have just seen it at my BAWS.