This is the time of the year when I pull out all of the wine “wish” lists that I have accumulated over the year and review them.  Mind you, these are not nice organized lists but rather “wants” scribbled on sheets of paper of all sizes…..post it notes, legal sized yellow pads, a stray napkin, etc.  My job, if I decide to accept it (paying homage to the original 1960’s Mission Impossible), is to consolidate this mish mash of paper into a readable 2010 list.

No surprise to those who know me are the Rhone Rangers, both south and north.  While Southern Rhone has gotten the majority of publicity for its stellar vintages over the last several years, Northern Rhone has some world class wines as well.  On my list I have Vieux Donjon 2007 ( the ‘03’s, ‘04’s and ‘05’s are excellent, as well), Vieux Telegraph (2005 & 2007), Chateau Beaucastel 2007, St. Prefert, Domaine Charvin, Domaine Janasse, Pierre Usseglio both ‘05’s and ‘07’s.  These are wines that range from $60-$150 and beg for a bargain.  The ’06 and ‘07 Tardieu-Laurent VV Gigondas and Vacqueyras, the ‘07 Domaine Les Aphillanthes Cotes du Rhone VV and the Domaine des Escaravailles Cotes du Rhone Sablieres are front and center for me with the latter running less than $20.  I’ll also keep an eye out for more of the affordable Northern Rhones such as the ’06 Jean Louis Chaves’s St Joseph Offerus and Silene, both of which are great wines for the price.  I would love to grab some of his Hermitage but it’s just too pricey right now.

One overlooked region of very affordable and delicious wines is the Languedoc-Roussillon, just south of Southern Rhone.  I just finished my last bottle of Mas du Soleilla La Clape Les Bartelles 2006 and will keep and eye out for the ’07 as well.  This wine is absolutely delicious.  While I can’t locate any more ‘06’s, the ‘07’s are available on the internet and priced mostly in the $20’s.