Rosé is supposed to be a refreshing style of wine, made by pressing red grapes, and not letting them rest on the skins as long as to make a red.  While new world producers tend to like short, cute names, like 3 Girls or Maxwell Creek, old world producers have an engrained tendency to create more distinguished names.  With another mouth full of a name, 2013 Les Dauphins Côtes Du Rhône Reserve is one of a few international selections available at under a $10 bill.  Can France usurp Portugal’s recent success, and deliver on lineage? 

Sight: 2013 Les Dauphins Côtes Du Rhône Reserve gives off a slightly orange impression, layering over a similar shade to the pink slip from the back of a receipt.

Smell:  The first thing that comes to mind, is a slightly stemmy or herbal notes, but they give way to raspberries and strawberries.  There are some mild floral smells, but the touch of minerality conflicits, and picks up more stems.  It’s only a semi-inviting scent.

Sip:  2013 Les Dauphin Côtes Du Rhône Reserve mouth feel is moderate, and the acidity crisp.  The minerality and herbal nature jumps forward first, and overwhelms a lot of the fruit.   While some underripe raspberry and strawberry still play, it mainly gets grassy.

Savor:  The ending is as bitter as the flavor, and the fruit doesn’t play the central role one would hope.

2013 Les Dauphins Côtes Du Rhône Reserve is just not playing at the level it should.  The wine is not as fruit forward as it could be, but it also lacks any sort of minerality.  It’s overly bitter, and doesn’t leave an enjoyable after taste.  There are better wines on the market, and Portugal offers a great alternative region to 2013 Les Dauphins Côtes Du Rhône Reserve, at just as reasonable of a price.

Verdict: Bitter, herbal, underripe, bright
Price: $9.99
Cotes Du Rhône, France