Bursting with cherry-scented fruit, the 2016 Cotes du Rhone La Dame Rousse is a worthy value. Deeply concentrated and richly textured for a C?tes du Rh?ne, it should drink well for 5-8 years.

Another terrific red is the 2015 C?tes du Rh?ne La Dame Rousse, which has serious polish and elegance for a C?tes du Rh?ne. Black cherries, raspberries, garrigue and licorice all emerge from this medium-bodied, silky effort that’s an excellent value well worth a multi-bottle purchase.

The 2014 C?tes du Rh?ne Rouge La Dame Rousse didn't seem to be as interesting, no doubt reflecting this rather challenging vintage. Some herbaceousness and a more compact style, the wine still has good fruit—part of the hallmarks of this blend of 40% Grenache, 30% Syrah and the rest Cinsault, Carignan and Counoise.

Readers who have read my past reports and, more recently, those of Jeb Dunnuck's on the Southern Rh?ne Valley know that Domaine de La Mordorée is one of the bright shining stars of that region, if not all of France. This estate continues to be guided by two brothers, Christophe and Fabrice Delorme, and now encompasses over 135 acres spread through several appellations. Jeb Dunnuck has reviewed the more expensive cuvées, but what follows are three terrific values offered by Mordorée. The opaque ruby/purple-colored 2013 C?tes du Rh?ne La Dame Rousse is another outstanding effort from the Delorme family. Made from 40% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 15% Cinsault and the rest Carignan and Counoise, it is a classic Mediterranean-styled red with medium to full body as well as notes of Proven?al herbs, underbrush, sweet cassis and kirsch, and dusty new saddle leather. Consume it over the next 1-3 years.

Two inexpensive reds include the excellent 2012 Cotes du Rhone La Dame Rousse, a blend of 40% Grenache, 30% Syrah and the rest Cinsault, Carignan and Counoise. It is a delicious, dark ruby/purple-colored, Provencal-styled red revealing notes of balsam wood, raspberries, black currants and cherries. Medium-bodied with sweet tannin and a heady finish, it should be drunk over the next several years. Run by the Delorme brothers, Domaine de la Mordoree ranks as one of the most impeccably, precisely run estates and negociant businesses in western Europe. Their least-expensive offerings are stunningly good, and their high end, flagship wines from Lirac and Chateauneuf du Pape are magnificent. Moreover, this estate continues to go from strength to strength. Although it is too expensive to recommend, year-in and year-out one of the finest roses made in the world is Mordoree’s Reine des Bois Tavel Rose. I rated the outstanding 2012 91 points ($34.00). Well-known in these pages, Fran Kysela runs a surprisingly large volume import business with a strong focus on value-priced wines from Southern France, Argentina, Australia, and Spain. Importer: Fran Kysela, 331 Victory Rd., Winchester, VA; tel. (540) 722-9228; fax (540) 722-9258