“If you’re looking for some good Red Wings Red Rhône mojo or just a couple of very good red wines to enjoy with dinner, both of these will serve admirably.”

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For me, there’s only one consolation to saying goodbye to another summer, and it’s knowing that hockey season is right around the corner. I’ve been a Detroit Red Wings fan since 1976, so I’ve seen it all, the glory years, and the gorey years. Lately, it’s been more of the latter, but hope springs eternal with every new season, and some supposed pundits think that the Wings might have a real shot at making the playoffs this campaign. Win or lose, I’ll be here, watching them play.

Back in our Gang of Pour days, I had a recurring feature that I called “Red Wings and Red Rhônes.” It started out as something of a joke, the premise being that big, hearty red Rhônes are the perfect choice to sip whilst rooting for the boys with the winged wheel on their jerseys on those cold wintery evenings. Perhaps surprisingly, the “schtick” caught on, and I reported on many selections over the years, not only from southern France, but from anywhere around the world that produced wines composed of red Rhône varietals.

Fast forward to the present, and it occurred to me that it’s high time to reboot Red Wings and Red Rhônes after picking up these two fine bottlings from Holiday Market in Royal Oak a few days ago. They are both perfect to enjoy with tonight’s Red Wings season opener against the New Jersey Devils.

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2021 Réserve del Puech Vieilles Vignes Côtes-du-Rhône, 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 10% Carignane, 14.5% alc., $14.99: This is a strapping young thing, but it’s not unapproachable if you give it some air. My wife Kim enjoyed a few glasses earlier in the evening, and after pouring myself a glass a few hours later, I really like it too. There’s a substantial core of earthy black plum, currant and berry that even the good dose of youthful tannins can’t totally obscure. Subtle leathery undertones will probably develop as it ages, and I don’t see any reason you can’t lay this down in the cellar for 2-5 years or more. This is some very good Côtes-du-Rhône. If you drink it sometime soon, the more air you give it, the better it gets. Find this wine

2019 Réserve de la Roncière Côtes-du-Rhône Cuvée Traditionnelle, 85% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre, 15% alc., $14.99: This is another big, young bruiser, but it has a more peppery, herb and underbrush character than the Réserve del Puech. There’s an abundance of earthy black fruit here, with ample structure for several years in the cellar. In many ways, this reminds me of a baby Vacqueyras or Gigondas, with some iron and leather emerging with air, and that’s a good thing. You can drink this now, just give it some time in a decanter first. Find this wine

Both wines are imported by All Star Wine Imports, LLC, Cleveland, OH

These two come from vineyards situated near Avignon, the Pope’s city, in the south of the Rhône Valley. If you’re looking for some good Red Wings Red Rhône mojo or just a couple of very good red wines to enjoy with dinner, either of these will serve admirably. And remember, the decanter is your friend.

Reporting from Day-twah,
Bastardo

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