
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.
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Saxum James Berry Vineyard Bone Rock (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2005Rhone Red Blends from Central Coast, California
- RP
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Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape (stained label) 2005Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Dom. du Grand Tinel Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Alexis Establet 2005Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2005Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Saxum James Berry Vineyard Bone Rock 2005Rhone Red Blends from Central Coast, California
- RP
- WE
- WS
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Guigal Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2005Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- W&S
- RP
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Clos du Caillou Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Quartz 2005Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Domaine Pierre Usseglio et Fils Chateauneuf-du-Pape Mon Aieul 2005Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2005Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Mas de Boislauzon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee du Quet 2005Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Reservee (stained label) 2005Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Tardieu-Laurent Chateaneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes 2005Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Patrick Lesec Chateauneuf-du-Pape Bargeton 2005Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
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Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Hominis Fides 2005Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France
- RP
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Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes 2005Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2005Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Domaine de la Vieille Julienne Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve 2005Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Glaetzer Wallace Shiraz/Grenache 2005Rhone Red Blends from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- RP
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Bosquet des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Chante Le Merle 2005Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
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Domaine Pierre Usseglio et Fils Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve des Deux Freres 2005Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Villa Creek James Berry Vineyard High Road 2005Rhone Red Blends from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
- RP
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Bosquet des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape Tradition 2005Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau de Beaucastel Hommage Jacques Perrin Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2005Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Domaine Pierre Usseglio et Fils Chateauneuf-du-Pape Tradition 2005Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
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L'Aventure Cote A Cote 2005Rhone Red Blends from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
- RP