We recently received a shipment of wines from the Rhone Valley.  I was so excited for these to arrive, the four wines here are all top notch and as we’ve been touting the 2015 and 2016 vintages here are four more highly rated, under $30 wines for your consideration–

Xavier Vins Cotes-du-Rhone-Villages Arcane XVIII Le Soleil 2015 – $22.99
“The 2015 Cotes du Rhone Villages Arcane XVIII Le Soleil is youthfully dark in color and fruit-forward, but it also shows softening, silky tannins. It’s full bodied but not overblown, with a sensationally seductive mouthfeel. Black cherries define the fruit, joined by hints of dark chocolate and enough garrigue to give it a seriously savory character despite the fruit. This is an old-vine blend of 80% Grenache with 10% each Syrah and Mourvèdre, aged 15 months in one-third new oak, the rest in concrete or foudre. Maybe the best Côte du Rhône Villages I’ve ever tasted, it looks to have the stuffing to go another 10 years.  94 points.”  Wine Advocate

Xavier Vins Arcane le Diable 2015 – $19.99
“Almost 100% Mourvèdre from a parcel close to Vinsobres, the sensational 2015 Vin de France Arcane XV Le Diable had a three-week maceration (Xavier prefers to get as much extraction as possible before alcoholic fermentation), and was aged mostly in small oak tanks and concrete. Blueberries, blackberries, peppery herbs and spice all flow from this layered, full-bodied beauty that has awesome purity, integrated acidity and plenty of structure. Give bottles 2-3 years and drink over the following 10-15 years.  94 points.”  Wine Advocate

Domaine Cote de la L’Ange Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2016- $29.99
“The 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape is a blend of 65% Grenache, 25% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah, which spent time in concrete, foudre and upright wooden vats. Clove and plum aromas lead the way, adding jammy raspberry fruit on the full-bodied palate before finishing long, vibrant and silky.  94 points.”  Wine Advocate

Domaine la Fourmone Vacqueyras “La Poete” 2016- $19.99
“…the 2016 Vacqueyras le Poete—a blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah—features gorgeous raspberry fruit accented by subtle spice notes. It’s full-bodied and rich without seeming heavy at all, with a long, silky finish. It should drink well for at least 6-7 years.  92 points.”  Wine Advocate

“Bright-rimmed ruby. Vibrant cherry and red currant scents are complemented by suggestions of black pepper, licorice and pipe tobacco. Taut and structured on entry, then broader in the midpalate, offering raspberry and bitter cherry flavors that are sweetened by a building floral pastille nuance. Fine-grained tannins sneak up on the finish, which lingers with strong, smoky persistence.  91 points.” Vinous

If you loved this Blog post, please see more of My Favorite Wines, here….