Speaking of French wine for under $30

[KMP]

In his Getting into French Wine thread waistcoat asked for ideas about where he should start looking particularly for wines under $30 a bottle. So here is one that I got for under $30, although that was a discounted price and I have no idea what it would cost in Oz, but it is French!.

Betts and Scholl Hermitage Rouge 2006 (14% ABV) $29.95USD
In color it’s a deep, dark cherry red with a red edge rimmed with a tinge of orange/brown. It is developing very well with a bouquet that speaks of damp earth, spice, barnyard, the ink well from an old school desk, leather, black pepper and crushed violets. There is also a dusty oak note and the aroma of tobacco as you swirl the wine in the glass. The body is medium weight and supported by juicy acidity and very firm tannins. The flavors carry well across the palate to a lengthy finish. It lacks depth on the mid palate but should fill out with a few more years. At present it’s a wine that needs food to soften its astringency. Easy to pick as a French Syrah but perhaps not as Syrah only. Is it just Syrah? Hmmmm, hard to say but its certainly great value at the price I paid.
Score: 93/100

How about giving waistcoat a few more examples?
Mike

[dlo]

I don't have anything in French rouge that I buy for that price, Mike! LOL

[Polymer]

Yeah...

There are dozens of things you can suggest at 30 dollars if it was in the US, UK or HKG...but in Australia, that 30 dollar bottle which normally sells for 50-60 in the US (Just a quick WS search) would probably be 100+ in Australia...More if it were Bdx/Burg..

[monghead]

What about some of the villages beaujolais from Jean-Marc Burgaud?

Monghead.

[Dave Dewhurst]

What about some of the villages beaujolais from Jean-Marc Burgaud?

Monghead.

Yup, agreed, those are really tasty and sub 30! Both 09 and 10 good but preferred 09.

Cheers

Dave

[dingozegan]

There are a fair few Beaujolais Villages under A$30 in Australia - in addition to Burgaud, I'd recommend Domaine du Vissoux. Worth considering the Loire too (e.g., Chinon from Amirault or Baudry; or Puzelat's Touraine or Le Clos de Tu-Boeuf), or perhaps even Alsace (e.g., Hugel).

Having said that, I think people newer to French wine (like the Getting into French Wine thread OP, waistcoat) may be looking for a more wowing/revelatory experience, which may require more cash.