Domaine De La Chesnay and Chateau Perron Madiran: Two Great Value Wines from France

When thinking of excellent values in red wines, most folks look towards Australia, Portugal, Argentina, Chile and the like - newer winemaking regions generally. Who thinks of France for high-value, modest priced, red wines? Here we review two dry red wines which meet the Spirit of Winecriteria for best values: where the quality level is at least two full levels above the price level.

Review: Domaine de la Chesnay is a recently released Cotes du Rhone blend, which consists of 70% grenache, 20% syrah and 10% carignan. Alcohol level comes in at a modest 13%.

In the glass, Domaine de la Chesnay is medium, deep, dusty red. Big, bold aromas - they first hit as helium balloon, but that is likely to blow off with a little air. Along with that, a strong sweet red berry.

On the palate, a mid-bright sweet red cherry is apparent first; that is followed by a rush of prickly, minerally acids rushing along the cheeks. Clean, fun finish - crisp and lasting. Three stars, as I want to try this again - I'd see using it wherever a pinot noir might work.

The quality/price point makes this an outstanding value versus just about any pinot noir you will find.

Find Domaine de la Chesnay at WineZap.

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Review: Chateau Perron Madiran comprises 60% tannat grape, a grape known for its gritty, tannic, rugged nature. The Perron is blended with 20% cabernet sauvignon and 20% cabernet franc. All of the grapes hail from the southwestern region of France known as Appellation Madiran. The wine is not designed for long aging, so the 2004 vintage - now over four years old - is pretty much ripe for current drinking.

In the glass, Chateau Perron Madiran is appropriately deep - a velvety dark red. The aromas are bold and lush, coming across as ripe cabernet fruit, layered with fresh-washed laundry hung out to dry in the breeze, and a whisper of oak. On the palate, there is a strong front and back end. The front is prickly sweet berry acids that flush the tip of your tongue and the roof of your mouth. Then the tannins take over, pulling your cheeks together like the shrinking room about to crush Superman. They squeeze the remaining sugars from the wine to bring a bit of sugar to the finish.

Very interesting and intense wine. Three stars. Very interested to see what happens with more decant and/or bottle time. Great value.

Find Chateau Perron Madiran at WineZap.