When people tell me they know of a great tasting $5 wine, I never believe them. Well, I'm here to tell you that I know of a great tasting $5 wine. (Actually, it normally sells for $9, but I bought it on sale for $5.)I never buy wines under $10. So, when I saw that Prime Wines had bottles of Baron Philippe de Rothschild's Vin de Pays D'Oc Pinot Noir on sale for $5, I paused over it briefly but kept on walking. I thought that no matter what name may appear on the bottle, it would always be a $5 bottle of wine.
Well, thanks to a party at David and Rose Hershenov's--home of western New York's most popular floating bar--I got to try some. I couldn't believe how drinkable this wine was. And by 'drinkable' I don't mean "drinkable by those who don't know good wine from a Dr. Pepper." I have since bought half a case, and I may go back for more.
The Rothschild Pays D'Oc Pinot Noir had a deep red color and a fruity nose, the latter being dominated by black cherry with some hints of violets. It had a smooth but firm tannin structure. I can't imagine a better $5 wine.
The 'Vin de Pays' label denotes an intermediary quality level that lies between the Vin de Table category and the class of wines that receive the appellation d'origine contrôlée certification. The Pays D'Oc region is located in the south of France and encompasses Languedoc and Roussillon. It is the largest Vin de Pays region, accounting for 70% of Vin de Pays wine production.
In 1995 Baron Philippe de Rothschild S.A., maker of the world-renowned Château Mouton Rothschild, expanded beyond its traditional châteaux-based wine production into the varietal-based wine market. It now offers eight varietal wines from the Pays D'Oc. The Pinot Noir in this family of wines is the perfect party wine--tasty and inexpensive. It's a good bet the other Rothschild Pays D'Oc wines are good buys as well.
I tried this wine last night and found it to be very pleasant for the price. It kind of reminded me of a chianti on the nose. Deep leather and fruit aromas.A strong aroma of earthiness and sense of place that you don`t often get at this price level.It is a wine that actually has some character which is often rare with so many wines that sell for under ten dollars. I will try another glass tonight to see how it has evolved after twenty four hours after popping the cork. I plan to purchase some more of this wine ASAP. It is quite a value for the price.
ReplyDeleteTried this wine tonight at a restaurant where it was $7 per glass. I was kind of skeptical given the low price, but the wine itself was very drinkable. Pleasant fruit notes, distinctive whiff of violets (or peonies). Balanced, with a nice finish. Would go well with salads, light soups, and fish dishes or burgers.
ReplyDeleteI cannot beleive it. I have just tasted in a run down restaurant in the suburbs of Detroit the 2008 vintage of the Rothschild vin de Pays d'Oc Pinot Noir, It was amazing.
ReplyDeleteI am a die hard fan of everything Languedoc, specially their wines, even if they start to trun to "vinaigre" because they a bunch of anarchists wine maker since the roman times and can stick it up to the Mondavi family who once tried to take over the "terroirs" of the Languedoc regions.
Now I cannot find the 2008 bottle anywhere. Can somebody help.. I need to help my follow Languedocians .... if the middle man is Mondavi or Gallo please to not help me....
I am mid-glass of the 2008 vintage as we speak and I find the wine to be pleasant, but lacking almost completely in any qualities that I would normally associate with Pinot Noir. It has more of a gamay nose and color...at least around the edges. Also, the wine lacks a finish. In my opinion, a better value Pinot Noir from France can be found in the Roc de Chateauvieux. A Vin d'Pays level wine as well, but from the Loire.
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