Les Trois Couronnes Cotes du Rhone, 2007

I've discovered a pattern in my response to the 2007 Southern Rhones: my favorites are the least expensive and least sought-after wines, such as this Cotes du Rhone that has lingered on the shelves despite its modest price of $6.99.

The wine changed a bit during its first year or so, as I remember, but it has settled into a pleasant plateau of drinkability. The aromas and flavors are typical of Cotes du Rhone but with an assertive personality that the Beaurenard lacks. Plums, berries and purple spices. To the tart rather than sweet end of the spectrum. No de-stemming here, I understand, and that's probably why I like the wine. Coats the teeth and tongue with a spicy goodness. Not as glib as the Beaurenard but more expressive.

I think the 2007 has been replaced by the 2009 or 2010 on most of the shelves that I visit, but it's usually on a lower shelf and cheap enough that it's easy to ignore. Les Trois Couronnes not for everybody, but if you have experience with traditional Cotes du Rhone you can find a lot of wine here for $6.99.