Help me pick wines for a "Rhone Value" tasting

[Jenise]

Here's the list of what's available in my market. I will choose 6 reds and 3 whites. Without help and based on my own somewhat limited experience with some producers, though none with these vintages, for the reds, I would choose from among the Millierre, Charvin, St. Cosme (both), Mont Olivet, Janasse, Pegau, Grand Montmirail Gigondas, Boussiere and La Garrique.
I would avoid the Chanteduc and the Courons. I know nothing of the others.

From the whites, where I'd like to save money, I'd choose the St. Cosme and the Brunel. The Guigal tempts but I've loved it in some years and not liked it at all in others (typically, the hot vintages).

Comments? Suggestions? All welcome.




RED
05 Terra de Mistral $9.80
05 Clos Chanteduc $14.70
05 Coudoulet de Beaucastel $30.80 91 Bob/89 Josh
05 Saint Cosme CdR $10.80
05 Saint Cosme "Les Deux Albions" $18.65 90 Bob
05 Kermit Lynch CdR $14.70
05 Charvin "Le Poutet" $21.55 88 Bob
05 La Milliere CdR V.V. $15.85 88 Bob
05 Mont Olivet "Clos de Serre" $19.15
05 Clos du Caillou V.V. $20.30
05 Domaine du Couron CdR $9.80
04 Domaine du Couron Villages $12.75
04 Domaine du Couron Syrah "M. Dubois" $15.65
06 Janasse CdR $14.70 87 Bob
05 Pegau CdR Seguret $14.70
05 Grand Montmirail Gigondas $21.55 90-92 Bob
05 Abel Clement Vacqueyras $10.75
05 Arnoux & Sons Gigondas $18.60
04 Clos de Caveau Vacqueyras $19.60
05 Bouissiere Vacqueyras "Bel Air" $24.95 90 Josh
05 Domaine La Garrigue Vacqueyras $19.60 89 Bob/88-91 Josh
05 Saint Sauveur Cotes-du-Ventoux $8.95

WHITE

06 Alain Graillot Croze-Hermitage $29.40
06 Vieux Telegraphe Le Pigeoulet $16.65
06 Saint Cosme CdR $10.80 89 Bob
06 Perrin CdR $9.80 89 Bob
06 Brunel "Becassone" $14.70
06 Domaine du Couron CdR Viognier $10.75
05 Guigal Blanc $12.75 87 Bob
05 Coudoulet de Beaucastel $42.00 (?) 88 Bob

I've always like Mont Olivet CdP.. never tried the CdR... and for name recognition alone a Pegau or Janasee would be tempting... I didn't even know they did low end bottlings (I'm gonna look for them)...and RMP's lower ratings on these may be a good thing...on the whites, the Graillot is tempting

Looking forward to WTNs....as these are nicely priced in general...

[Jenise]

I've always like Mont Olivet CdP.. never tried the CdR... and for name recognition alone a Pegau or Janasee would be tempting...

Precisely my predicament, as it means that I could pass up some real jewels among the names not familiar. But, also, this is a "cash flow" tasting, meaning as much as I'd like to show great value wines, I also need to bank as much of the approximately $1200 door proceeds as possible. After our group's Christmas dinner, which cost us almost $3,000, we had exactly $61 in the bank.

Hi Jenise

That's a nice selection of wines to be choosing from. Seems a shame to have to narrow it down. BUt based on wines I know (not necessarily in the last couple of vintages), the regular, less expensive St. COsme is unusual because it's 100% Syrah (certainly used to be), might be worth seeing if your guests taste the difference. The Coudoulet could be interesting for the same reason - i.e., is the extra money worth the extra dollars? The Kermit Lynch has been superb when I've had it and I would be tempted to get the Pegau Seguret both because it's a Pegau and because it's from the excellent village of Seguret. At that point, though, you are starting to get into Villages rather than just Cotes du Rhones, and if you move up to Vacqueryas and Gigondas which are their own appellations, then the question becomes why not a Lirac or Vinsobres, or even a Chateauneuf du Pape? It all depends what you're trying to achieve with the tasting. If it is just to taste the enormous variety and quality of wines in the Cotes du Rhones range, I think I'd go for both St. Cosmes, the Kermit Lynch, the Pegau, the Coudoulet and possibly the Janasse or maybe one of the others I haven't tried here to see what it's all about.

Of the whites, clearly you know the Guigal- I gather he's been adding more and more Viognier each year. Can't determined if that's good or bad. The Graillot stands out because it's northern RHone and opens up a whole different ball game; maybe stick with the south for this tasting? St,-Cosme is just a very good producer, and Brunel is among the best.I would get those two and either the 100% Viognier or maybe the Pigoulet. Although PErrin is worth including to show what you can hopefully get from a bargain basement.

HOpe that helps

Tony

Jenise,
The 2005 Le Clos du Caillou Côtes du Rhône Vieilles Vignes Cuvée Unique is amazing. I bought a case and a half, and it wasn't enough.
Warren

Don't miss Coudoulet de Beaucastel. Think of it as a cheap Châteauneuf du Pape rather than as an expensive CDR.

Perrin, Pegaü, Janasse and Clos du Caillou are all very reliable and Graillot is great. I would add Mont-Olivet to that list but for that deeply disappointing Cuvée du Papet 1990 opened at New Year.

Jenise,
I have tasted 3 vintages of Vacqueras from Arnoux et fils and they were all quite impressive. I think a Gigondas from this house, especially from '05 would be quite interesting.
Shaji

the regular, less expensive St. COsme is unusual because it's 100% Syrah (certainly used to be)

AFAIK, it is still 100% syrah. I haven't tasted '05, but generally like it better than the more expensive Deux Albion.