Delicious, inexpensive wines like the 2016 Cotes du Rhone Cuvee Richette show just how great the 2016 vintage is in the Southern Rh?ne. A blend of 75% Grenache and 25% Syrah aged in tank, this is a knockout value, bursting with vibrant black cherry and blackberry fruit, possessing ample weight and richness and finishing with silky elegance.

2010 年的 Cotes du Rhone Cuvee Richette 由 Syrah、 Grenache 和 Mourvedre 三種葡萄等比例混釀而成，并在酒槽中熟成。它是一款 Cotes du Rhone 佳釀，酒體適中，引人注目，散發(fā)著濃郁的紅色水果、黑色水果以及動物的氣味，并縈繞著森林的氣息。適飲期：未來數(shù)年內(nèi)。

For example, the 2009 Cotes du Rhone Cuvee Richette is a soft, round, medium-bodied, Grenache-based, already drinkable wine. Consume it over the next 1-2 years. Well-known negociant Patrick Lesec, whose collection of high quality southern Rhone wines has always been somewhat under consumers’ radar, seems to be cutting back on the number of offerings he produces. His finest vintages to date have been 2007, 2005 and some early years such as 2000 and 2001. His 2009s are all very good efforts, but perhaps less impressive than the previously mentioned vintages. Nevertheless, there are some top bargains to be had in Lesec’s portfolio. Lesec used to offer a half dozen or so Chateauneuf du Papes, but he has cut this down to just three cuvees in 2009.Importer: Chemin des Vins, Sherborn, MA; tel. (508) 545-1532, who distributes to wholesalers in 20 different states. Readers are advised to call them for availability in their region.

The lowly priced 2007 Cotes du Rhone Cuvee Richette reveals its Grenache component in its licorice, pepper, spice box, and black cherry-scented bouquet. Medium-bodied, round, and generous, this fruit-forward 2007 can be enjoyed over the next several years. The stars in Patrick Lesec’s porfolio are the superb Chateauneuf du Pape cuvees he fashions, but there are also some stunning bargains for shrewd consumers. By the way, Lesec chose not to produce any Chateauneuf du Papes or Gigondas in 2008.Importer: Chemin des Vins, Sherborn, MA; tel. (508) 545-1532, who distributes to wholesalers in 20 different states. Readers are advised to call them for availability in their region.

In 2006 Lesec has added a Cuvee Richette Cotes du Rhone, which is a rather solid, dark ruby wine, somewhat monolithic compared to the other cuvees, but well-made. I can’t speak highly enough of the job that Patrick Lesec does as a negociant, putting together interesting and high quality blends of Cotes du Rhones and Chateauneuf du Papes.A Patrick Lesec Selection, agent for the US market: Chemin des Vins, Sherborn, MA; tel. (508) 545-1532