Very dark ruby with reddish-violet glints against the light. Simple, a bit rustic, with undifferentiated black fruit and a hint of fennel; black plums, a whiff of black pepper, and tart, mouth-watering acidity on the palate, with a buzz of soft tannins joining in the finish. A Rhône-style blend of Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, and Cinsault in undisclosed proportions, it’s good with food, nothing you’d call “elegant,” but – in the tradition of La Vieille Ferme – a versatile, inexpensive red table wine that offers plenty of pleasure for the price. U.S. importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, Ala. (July 14, 2015)

FOOD MATCH: Serve it with just about any grilled red meat or roast poultry or meatless bean-and-cheese dishes, or drop it in place of a basic Chianti with Italian red-sauce fare. It was just fine with Martha Rose Shulman’s Zucchini Parmesan from The New York Times.

WHEN TO DRINK: Chances are that it would hold up for another few years, but honestly, with a reliable new vintage every year, I’m inclined to drink it up and go for the youngest available.

VALUE: That’s the point here today. At $10 or less in 2015, it has maintained its status as a value wine for 45 years.

WEB LINKS This fact sheet from importer Vineyard Brands covers the basics about the 2013 Rouge.

FIND THIS WINE ONLINE:
Find sources and check prices for La Vieille Ferme Rouge on Wine-Searcher.com.