91pt Rated Rhone Valley Red that is Under $20

Famille Perrin Vinsobres Les Cornuds 2018

Rated 91 Points by the Wine Spectator & a Wine Spectator Smart Buy

Today's featured wine comes from the village and parish of Vinsobres. Vinsobres is located in the Southern Rhone valley and from 1967 until late 2005, the wines from this AOC were labeled as Cotes du Rhone Villages. The Villages designation of Cotes du Rhone was given to the wines from specific places that must meet higher standards than the rest of the Cotes du Rhone appellation. These wines come from specific vineyards that show the potential to produce wines that are distinctive in the region.

Since 2005, the reds from Vinsobres were given full appellation status, with Vinsobres becoming its own AOC appellation within the Rhone Valley similar to Gigondas and Rasteau to name just two. So today, as you will see with this wine, only Vinsobres is printed on the label, leaving out any mention of the Cotes du Rhone for the reds. Located about 40 kilometers north of Chateauneuf du Pape, Perrin loves their Vinsobres vineyards specifically for its Syrah, with the grape showing a lot of finesse when grown here, that it tends to lose a bit of when grown further south. 

Perrin owns 60 hectares of vineyards in Vinsobres, which is also the most northern vineyard in the Southern Rhone. These 60 hectares make up one coninuous plot within the region and is planted with Grenache and Syrah. The 2018 vintage in this region was considered fairly ideal, with excellent growing conditions and an abundance of ripe grapes at harvest. 

Famille Perrin's 2018 Vinsobres Les Cornuds is made up of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah.

Rated 91 Points by the Wine Spectator - "Ripe and expressive, with a lovely beam of plum puree and violet racing through, laced with subtle mineral and anise hints along the way. Ends with a late whiff of dried garrigue on the finish. Drink now through 2026."

From the Winemaker - "Beautiful, deep purple colour. The Syrah that makes up this wine brings roundness with notes of spices and fleshy red fruit. The altitude of this vineyard, also allows this wine to keep good freshness which gives it a very nice balance."

Overall we find this an excellent value for a single appellation wine from the Rhone Valley, priced similarly to many Cotes du Rhone wines. 

This wine will drink well with anything from burgers to stews, and is very enjoyable on its own. 

Cheers!

Tracy Maxon

tracy@varmax.com