Lesec Côtes du Rhône Villages Rasteau 1999

[Thraz]

$14.50 at Spec's, 13.5%. A lighter version of the vacqueyras I wrote about a few weeks ago (also from Lesec). Very fruity, raspberry and red cherry through and through. Very nice, not very complex, light-bodied. My third Lesec wine, and I think I recognize a style - similar fruit profile, more complexity and body as you go up the appellation chain (the Chateauneuf Marquis being the third and highest appellation I have tried from this producer). The rasteau is very nice, but I don't think it justifies the $14.50. In a very similar style and body I would stick to Jaume Grand Veneur for $10.