My search for the most value for the Rhone dollar continues

While most traditional palates abhor the fruit-bomb generation of modern Chateauneuf, what I find is that the entry level cuvees of houses that are scarred by this rap (ie: Usseglio, Clos St. Jean, Beaurenard, etc.) tend to offer a profile that strikes a nice balance between the old & the new. While certain Rhone enthusiasts may still find Clos St. Jean’s Chateauneuf to be a tad ripe for their tastes, the ’06 vintage (along w/ ’04) emphasized freshness over flamboyance & may be just what the old world doctor ordered.

It is exceptionally difficult to find a 19 dollar wine that approaches the depth of this baby.

Clos St. Jean CDP '06
Cheaper than most CDRs, the '06 bail out continues to rain down on retail pavement. The nose is a pure distillation of black cherry liqueur, w/ a juicy, mouth-filling flush of bittersweet chocolate & sweet earth rounding out the palate. There's enough herbal bite to keep the lush, dark fruit flavors in check, paving the way for a fresh finish, 92+ points.