($12, Kermit Lynch):  A blend of Syrah and Carignan, Château St. Martin de la Garrigue’s Cuvée Tradition delivers a lot for the money.  This charmingly rustic mixture of fresh red fruit flavors, appealing herbal qualities and moderate tannins makes this mid-weight wine a good choice for hearty wintry fare.… Read more

($17, Kermit Lynch): In the local dialect, lascaux means limestone and refers to the local terrain.  Unusual for the Languedoc, there is no Carignan in this blend, only Syrah and Grenache, which helps to explain the weight of this fragrant, polished wine. … Read more

($39, Kermit Lynch): This, the domaine’s top-of the-line wine, comes from a separate parcel just outside the well-regarded Mont Peyroux area as opposed to a cellar selection of their ‘best’ wines.  The higher altitude location of the vineyard means a cooler climate in this normally hot part of the south of France and explains the wine’s elegance and polish. … Read more

($18, Kermit Lynch): This wine is a poster boy for the French concept of terroir since the winemaking and blend is the same–60% Syrah and 40% Grenache–as in their regular Coteaux du Languedoc (also reviewed this week), but the flavors are markedly different. … Read more

($10, ExCellars): The Languedoc region in the south of France is better known for bold ripe wines than for producing a delicate, fragrant Pinot Noir, such as this one. Not as intense–nor as jammy–as many Pinot Noirs from California, Lurton’s has lovely ripe red fruit flavors, but retains an elegance rarely found at this price level.… Read more

($16, Louis Dressner Selections): The French — or at least some of them — are finally changing the way they market their wines.  The crisp eye-catching front label simply says Vieillefont.  The obscure AOC — Côtes de Duras — and even the producer’s name are relegated to the back label. … Read more

($11, Louis Dressner Selections): This juicy ‘everyday’ type of wine, a blend of Syrah and Carignan, has considerable ripeness nicely balanced by spice. It’s a great value. 88 Michael Apstein Oct 31, 2006… Read more

($10, Red Bicyclette, USA): I was prepared not to like this wine because of its cutesy name and label, but in fact, it is a pleasant, high value, southern French red wine. Plummy and quite supple, it is easy to drink before a meal and then take it to the table with burgers.… Read more