A Fun Little Quaffer Awaits

We let the news slip last week about one of our favorite Rhône reds. Who knew an innocuous P.S. was capable of creating such a commotion? As predicted, the beautiful Domaine du Joncier Lirac caused a stampede. It sold out in the blink of an eye.

Good news for all you fans though. The new 2010 vintage is expected to arrive this Friday. 2010 was a blockbuster year in the Southern Rhône -- even better than 2009. The new release from Joncier has not yet been rated or reviewed. However, under the category of "tough job, but someone has to do it" we'll let you know what we think after we pop a bottle on Friday.

In the meanwhile, we have a fun little wine to share with you from the same producer.

Domaine du Joncier Côtes du Rhône L'O 2011

Winemaker Marine Roussel steers the ship at Domaine du Joncier. She's been instrumental in helping the winery to achieve biodynamic certification. As a result of cash flow issues, Marine decided to declassify the Grenache used in her Lirac (which is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault and Carignan) and package it under the more generic Côtes du Rhône appellation. Bad news for them, but really good news for you.

Declassified wines are truly some of the hottest bargains in the marketplace (when you can find them) and this particular one is an outstanding value. It's easy to see why. Joncier's Lirac sells for $24.99/bottle. This Côtes du Rhône -- which is made with the EXACT same Grenache used in the Lirac bottlings -- sells for a silly little song.

The name L’O is a play on words with the French word for water—l’eau. As vigneron Marine puts it, “this wine drinks as easily as a glass of water.” We can personally confirm this fact. The wine is great. It's lush, smooth, and packed with red and dark fruit flavors. It has the same silky and opulent character as the Lirac, but with less complexity.

OK, by now you've probably ascertained where we're going with this.

This wine is a quaffer. No bones about it.

And, yet, in spite of being a reasonably priced quaffer, this wine has all the trademarks of its famous importer, Kermit Lynch. The grapes are hand harvested from old vines. Only natural and native yeasts are used. The wine is both organic and biodynamic which costs significantly more to produce. And it doesn't hurt the wine shares similarities to its neighboring cru Châteauneuf-du-Pape!

While the Joncier Lirac sells for $24.99/bottle, this little gem known as L'O is a mere $13.99.

That's just $134.30/12 pack case ($11.19/bottle) or only $11.19/bottle in a mixed case of wine.

But, wait, there's more. Purchase a solid case by Monday, February 11 and receive the special case price of just $126/12 pack case ($10.50/bottle). That's a whopping 25% savings per case, just for you. This special sale is just for a few wintery days. And why not, it's February and we're cold. Plus we're told we're about to get clobbered with snow. A nice glass of Grenache is just the ticket. Sunshine in a glass!

P.S.

The ever popular Las Rocas Garnacha 2009 from Spain was just awarded a "90 point, Best Buy" rating from Wine & Spirits Magazine. That's on top of Wine Advocate's 90 point score. Oh, all right, here's the press.

"The 2009 Las Rocas is 100% Garnacha sourced from 80-year-old vines from the DO of Calatayud with 25% of the wine aged in wood. It is a forward, savory, ripe, succulent offering that should prove to be a crowd-pleaser. It is an outstanding value that will deliver enjoyment over the next 5 years." (Wine Advocate)

Wine Advocate: 90 points

"The mix of almond, dried fruit and earth notes give a certain air of mystery to the aroma of this wine. The palate is taut, with a fine layer of tannins and firm acidity that padlocks the flavors for now." (Wine & Spirits Magazine)

Wine & Spirits Magazine: 90 points

Wine & Spirits Magazine: Best Buy

$12.99/bottle or $124.70/12 pack case ($10.39/bottle) or just $10.39/bottle in a mixed case of wine.

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