The Rhone Zone:2010 Delas Saint-Esprit Cotes-du-Rhone

“If you only drink the same wines that everyone else is drinking then you can only think what everyone else is thinking.” ~ A wise Vino-Sapien

Well, good afternoon every and welcome to March, here in San Diego it looks like we are having some summer-like weather, just ahead of the coming Spring. Sadly my friends on the East coast are still in full-blown winter mode and for that, I'm truly sorry. 

But on the bright side, it looks like a good opportunity for them to indulge in one of my favorite Winter wines, Port. So all I can say is lean into it because before you know you'll be looking Spring right in the face soon. 

In today's review is a fantastic wine, one that is so easy on the wine-budget, you may become giddy with delight, perhaps even a few hand-springs, okay-okay perhaps that's just a bit too ambitious. 

But you will soon get my point after you uncork what I can only describe as one most "complete" bottles of wine for $12 you will find anywhere, and here's where you can get some for yourself.

This wine has everything the average vino-sapiens is looking for via earthy, mineral-driven nuances, [you literally taste the vineyard dust] light engaging aromatics which draw you in for the first slurp. A food friendly wine with a gentle verve of dark and red fruits pulsing through its soul. 

Even the garden variety wine-twirler will get these wines easy going and easy to get along with personality; a wine that's easy as a Sunday morning. This is the style of wine which makes food pairing choices so easy and wonderfully fun. I can't imagine too many things that would not pair well with this wonderfully well-made wine from a stellar vintage. And a unique blend with Syrah leading the way at 70% and, the balance 30% of palate cleansing Grenache.

If you've never taken a visit to the Rhone-Zone, as I like to call it; then this folks is your ticket to ride. A wine that will come out, shake your hand and you'll become fast friends. It will leave you wondering why you had not met sooner. My score on this wine is 90 points, the kind of wine to purchase by the caseload. Easy, fun and flavorful, so very worth the tiny price of admission. Until next time folks, sip long and prosper cheers!

Disclosure: I secured the wine featured in today's review with my own cold-hard cash from my employer; Bird Rock Fine Wine.