Domaine de Beaurenard Cotes du Rhone, 2021

I have been a fan of Domaine de Beaurenard's Chateauneufs du Pape since the 1990 vintage. This is my first taste of the estate's Cotes du Rhone, and I am impressed. It is similar to the Brusset CDR (below): 70% Grenache, 30% Syrah aged in both stainless steel and neutral barrels.

Compared to the Brusset, a deeper ruby color. Also more aromatic intensity: red berries, plums, flowers. Medium full body, coats the tongue. A bit rough on the finish, but, again, this is a 2021 and will benefit from a few more months in the bottle. Good CDR; my score: 18.0. At $15, I would be a buyer but the retail price ($19 to $24) seems a bit high for a Cotes du Rhone, even one of this high quality.