Wine of the week: Les Dauphins Reserve Rose 2020

This French rose delivers $10 worth of value – and then some. Actually, a lot of then some.

One of the many joys of rose is that there are literally hundreds worth drinking, and that it’s almost impossible to find one – even at the blog’s prices – that isn’t enjoyable.

In other words, the Les Dauphins Reserve Rose 2020 ($11, purchased, 12.5%).

I’ve been writing about rose on the blog for 14 years and drinking it for even longer, but did not see this wine until the start of the pandemic. Because, even when the supply chain is working, that’s one of the joys of wine availability. And it’s also worth noting that this wine has a couple of names and labels – some, like the one in the bottle shot, don’t refer to reserve.

The Les Dauphins is a top-notch pink blend from France’s Rhone that does everything a rose should at this price – and then a little more. There are red berries from the grenache, but it’s not too fruity or too jammy as can sometimes happen with grenache. And the little bit of cinsault adds some interest and depth.

Highly recommended, and just the thing for Thanksgiving dinner – even for people who may not like wine all that much. A candidate for the 2022 Hall of Fame, as well as the 2022 Cheap Wine of the Year.

Imported by Plume Ridge