Domaine La Remejeanne Cotes-du-Rhone Rouge Les Arbousiers 2010
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Blend: 50% Syrah, 50% Grenache
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Wine Spectator
This has a nice racy edge that lets the cherry preserves, blackberry pâte de fruit and plum sauce notes run along, while black tea, licorice snap and sweet spice fill in on the finish.
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2016-
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Owned by Olivier Klein, this domaine is located in the little-known village of Sabran, nestled in rather dramatic hills divided between forests of green oak and vineyards. The 35 hectares of vineyards are planted at the relatively high altitude of 200 to 280 meters resulting in a cooler climate than Chateauneuf-du-Pape or Gigondas, and endows the wines with a freshness and liveliness not often encountered in the Southern Rhone. Klein is an extremely conscientious winemaker, constantly testing new approaches to improve his wines. As Andrew Jefford writes in The New France (© 2002): “Lengthy extractions, micro-oxygenation…, lees work, malolactic in barrique: all of these are practiced here, but always thoughtfully and never routinely.” Grapes are hand-harvested and sorted on a table de tri, ensuring that only the healthiest fruit makes it into the bottle.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
Typically thought of as a baby Chateâuneuf-du-Pape, the term Côtes du Rhône actually doesn’t merely apply to the flatter outskirts of the major southern Rhône appellations, it also includes the fringes of well-respected northern Rhône appellations. White wines can be produced under the appellation name, but very little is actually made.
The region offers some of the best values in France and even some first-rate and age-worthy reds. Red wine varieties include most of the Chateâuneuf-du-Pape varieties like Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, and Counoise, as well as Carignan. White grapes grown include Grenache blanc, Roussanne and Viognier, among others.