_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.

_As noted here frequently, most recently just a few months ago, cabernet sauvignon is arguably the king of red wine grapes, yet good inexpensive California cabernet is hard to come by. California’s Napa and Sonoma Valleys are famed for their rich, luxurious cabs, yet you generally have to look south of the border to Chile and Argentina or across the Pacific to Australia for affordable cabernet that tastes remotely like the expensive stuff. That’s why a good $10 bottle of California cab is a reason to celebrate. (See “At $10 this Calif. cab is still a steal.”)

So we’re doubly excited by a pair of such wines on sale locally – for at least a day and a week, respectively – for less than $8 a bottle. The 2009 vintage of Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon, which Wine Enthusiast magazine awarded 90 points and named an “Editor’s Pick” in the Dec. 15 issue, is widely available for about $10 a bottle at places like Total Wine in Virginia, Corridor Wine & Spirits in Laurel and Calvert Woodley in the District (2008) and for a few dollars more elsewhere.

Last week we highlighted some $20 wines that are selling locally for less. That doesn’t mean we’re walking back our stance that you don’t have to spend more than $10 to enjoy a bottle of fine wine. But during the holiday season many wine drinkers like to splurge on something special or spend a little extra on gifts for wine lovers or party hosts.

Even when recommending higher-end wines – like this or these – we still look for value. Whether we’re touting our favorite $10 wines or recommending a bottle in the $15 to $20 price range, they should taste as if they cost twice the price. One such $15 wine, which has been a solid performer for more than a decade and can taste like a $30 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, is widely available around town for as little as $10 to $12 a bottle. And its newly released 2010 vintage could be its best yet.