Had I not known the price of this wine prior to tasting it I would have assumed it was a substantially pricier Rhone. It's fresh and focused with loads of flavor and complexity along with excellent length. Yet another exceptional red from Southern France.

The 2018 Dames de Bonpas ushers in a melange of dried cherries, potpourri, violets, and mocha on the nose, with concentrated flavors of black raspberry, blueberry, and white pepper to round it out. This wildly compelling wine represents one of the best values of the year, and is an easy case buy to hold over you and your guests for the holiday season.

I absolutely adore the nose on this wine! It is a beguiling array of red berry fruit, pipe tobacco, marzipan and forest floor aromas and translate to a lively palate of raspberry, white pepper, dried meats, sun-dried tomatoes and bitter chocolate flavors. Firm tannins and good acidity give this a wine fine structure and great length as it holds court on your palate. A very impressive wine for the amazing price of only $12.99. This may be the best value I have tasted from the Rhone Valley this year.