
Rhône Blends
Learn about Rhône Blends — taste profile, popular regions and more ...
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, red Rhône blends originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley. Grenache, supported by Syrah and Mourvèdre typically form the base of the blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. With some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in Priorat, Washington, Australia and California.
Tasting Notes for Rhône Blends
A Rhône blend is a dry, red wine and will vary according to its individual components, as each variety brings something different to the glass. Grenache is the lightest in color but contributes plenty of ripe red fruit and a plush texture. Syrah supplies dark fruit flavors, along with savory, spicy and earthy notes. Mourvèdre is responsible for a floral perfume and earthy flavor as well as structure and a healthy dose of color. New World examples tend to be fruit-forward in style, while those from the Old World will often have more earth, structure and herbal components on top of ripe red and blue fruit.
Perfect Food Pairings for Rhône Blends
Rhône Blends work with a wide variety of meat-based dishes, playing equally well with beef, pork, lamb or game. Braised beef cheeks, grilled steak or sausages, roasted pork and squab are all fine pairings.
Sommelier Secrets for Rhône Blends
Some regions like to put their own local spin on the red Rhône blend—for example, in Australia’s Barossa Valley, Shiraz is commonly blended with Cabernet Sauvignon to add structure, tannin and a long finish. Grenache-based blends from Priorat often include Carignan (known locally as Cariñena) and Syrah, but also international varieties like Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, anything goes, and it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate36
- Wine Spectator23
- Jeb Dunnuck8
- Wine Enthusiast7
- Wine & Spirits5
- International Wine Cellar1
- Decanter1
- Collectible36
- Older Vintages26
- Boutique5
-
Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2003Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
-
Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes 2003Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
- WE
-
Mas de Boislauzon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee du Quet 2003Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
-
Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2003Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
- JD
-
Mas de Boislauzon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee du Quet (Torn Label) 2003Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
-
Guigal Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2003Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- W&S
- RP
-
Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Reservee (3 Liter Bottle) 2003Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
-
Domaine de Beaurenard Cuvee Boisrenard Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2003Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
- WE
-
Domaine Pierre Usseglio et Fils Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve des Deux Freres 2003Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
-
Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee da Capo 2003Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
- JD
-
Domaine Pierre Usseglio et Fils Chateauneuf-du-Pape Tradition 2003Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
-
Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2003Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
-
Domaine de Cristia Cuvee Renaissance Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2003Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
-
Domaine Pierre Usseglio et Fils Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2003Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- JD
- WS
-
John Duval Plexus Red 2003Rhone Red Blends from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- RP
- W&S
-
Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Reservee 2003Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
-
Chateau Fortia Cuvee du Baron Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2003Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WE
- WS
-
Patrick Lesec Chateauneuf-du-Pape Bargeton 2003Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
-
d'Arenberg The Ironstone Pressings 2003Rhone Red Blends from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
- RP
- W&S
-
Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2003Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
- JD
- ST
-
Standish The Relic Shiraz 2003Rhone Red Blends from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- RP
-
Cuvee du Vatican Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve Sixtine 2003Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
-
Domaine Saint Prefert Chateauneuf-du-Pape Collection Charles Giraud 2003Rhone Red Blends from Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
- WE
-
Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee da Capo (3 Liter Bottle) 2003Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
- JD
-
Chateau La Nerthe Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee des Cadettes 2003Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP