_In recent years, Chateau de Saint Cosme Côtes du Rhône, has been nothing if not consistent. And by that, we mean consistently good. The rich red wine made from 100 percent syrah grapes has earned 90 points from Wine Spectator magazine in three of the past four vintages, including the current 2010 release on store shelves now. The 2008 growing season in France’s Rhône Valley was considered a challenging one, sandwiched between ballyhooed vintages 2007 and 2009 (followed by another critically acclaimed vintage last year). Its score from Wine Spectator dipped all the way down to 88 points in 2008 (87 points from the Wine Advocate), a miniscule disparity that prevented four straight 90-point wines.

So it should come as no surprise that Chateau de Saint Cosme Côtes du Rhône is typically a $15 bottle of wine. The 2010 vintage “has lush, silky-textured layers of dark plum, anise and crushed blackberry fruit, woven with black tea and graphite notes through the finish,” according to James Molesworth, who scored it 90 points in the Oct. 15 issue of Wine Spectator. And yes, that hint of lead pencil is supposed to be appealing. The wine “impresses with its length and depth,” he added, noting that it should drink well through the end of next year.