WTN: Inexpensive Rhone and Mosel

Last night 2 inexpensive wines were on the table. A friend came by to pick up some wine we were splitting, and we opened a bottle of the 2008 Mas du Fadan Cotes du Ventoux (rouge). This was a $5 blowout, and that price well worth it. Ripe red fruit, herb (garrigue? ) notes, soft acidity, not especially long, but for a cook with 2 cups and drink a cup wine, or for a big backyard party, just the ticket at this price. B-

With grilled sausage, salad, and leftver corn salad, the 2008 Steinmetz Brauneberger Juffer Kabinett Feinherb (Mosel) . There is noticable RS, though of course not much. Lime, mineral, clover honey, wildflowers. Not a lot of length or complexity, but nice for what it is. B

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency. 

[David M. Bueker]

Nice for what it is matches my thoughts about the Steinmetz. I remember when there was this sort of hipster hype about the under appreciated producers of Mosel Riesling in the dry/nearly dry style several months ago; I bought some of the bottles (including the same Steinmetz) and have been consistently underwhelmed.