I am presently drinking my first glass of 1999 Chateau Maris Minervois (in the Languedoc region), which is a blend of 60% Syrah, 30% Grenache, and 10% Carignan. It's also biodynamically and organically grown, if that appeals to anyone (I only care about that kind of thing in fruits or vegetables that I eat raw). But here's the good part:

This wine is still quite cool as I just brought it up from a cellar, opened and poured it 15 minutes ago, but it's already showing more in the nose than it did at first: smoke/charcoal, dark fruits, nice; very dark in color, but lighter in body than I had expected, esp. considering the 14% alcohol; fills the palate quite nicely with spicy, smoky plum flavors; medium-long finish with quite a bit of tannin, but fruit coming back at the end with a touch of bittersweet chocolate as well. App. 88-9 pts.

But here's the really good part: C$17, which means for most of you this will be about US$10-12.

At that price, this will be a nice choice for roast chicken, grilled vegetables, all the good stuff that Cotes du Rhones work with. An excellent mid-week wine.