Cellier des Dauphine NV France

Cellier des Dauphine NV  is a red wine from the Côtes du Rhone that is NV - which is Non Vintage, the grapes come from more than one year/vintage, this again is something that is quite 'New World', it is something that only Big Brands can manage to do successfully. The problem is that as soon as anyone sees the NV on a label they think low quality, mass produced...... In this case Cellier des Dauphine is a large producer and this is a good quality mass produced wine! This is a wine that falls under the new designation of Vin de France ( Vin de Table with no Geographic Indication!) It is a new category which has to be made in France ( anywhere and may have mixed grapes from different region) and can have the variety on the label. It is a way that France sees that it can compete on the wider stage of the New World competative market.
On the nose the aromas of baked fruits ( black and red cherry with a hint of blackcurrant) are of medium intensity, and this wine has seen no oak, the fruit aromas are fairly simple - baked and fresh and juicy.
On the palate the wine is dry, but has a slight 'fizz' on the tongue - dissolved CO2, used by many producers  just before bottling to preserve their wines. There is good fresh acidity, warming but well integrated alcohol , silky texture and chalky soft ripe tannins. The length is short and the finish is red pithy fruits - this is after the initial black fruit start. Overall a young fresh wine that is for drinking now, it has been made well, but remember it is a NV wine, mixed grapes produced in bulk in a hot area, and the selling price for this wine is £4.49 from Sainsbury's.
Score : 80