
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 Advocate31
- Wine Spectator29
- Wine Enthusiast9
- Wilfred Wong of Wine.com3
- Wine & Spirits2
- Jeb Dunnuck2
- Decanter1
- Tasting Panel1
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Bodegas Mas Alta Romani La Basseta 2011Rhone Red Blends from Priorat, Spain
- RP
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Roger Sabon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Prestige 2011Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Domaine Santa Duc Prestige des Hautes Garrigues Gigondas 2011Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Clos du Caillou Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve 2011Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
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Domaine de Cristia Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2011Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
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Chateau de Vaudieu Val de Dieu Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2011Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Domaine Duseigneur Lirac Antares 2011Rhone Red Blends from Rhone, France
- RP
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Gerard Bertrand Corbieres 2011Rhone Red Blends from Corbieres, Languedoc, South of France, France
- WW
- RP
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Bila-Haut by Michel Chapoutier Cotes du Roussillon Villages 2011Rhone Red Blends from Côtes du Roussillon-Villages, Roussillon, South of France, France
- RP
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Chateau La Nerthe Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2011Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WW
- RP
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Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape (375ML half-bottle) 2011Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Domaine Giraud Chateauneuf-du-Pape Premices 2011Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
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Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas 2011Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas le Claux 2011Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France
- D
- RP
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M. Chapoutier Chateauneuf-du-Pape Croix de Bois 2011Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Puech-Haut Prestige Rouge 2011Rhone Red Blends from Languedoc, South of France, France
- RP
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Chateau de Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone Les Deux Albions 2011Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- RP
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Chateau de Vaudieu Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2011Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Terry Hoage The Pick Cuvee 2011Rhone Red Blends from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
- RP
- WS
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Chateau de Saint Cosme Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2011Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Terry Hoage The 46 Grenache - Syrah 2011Rhone Red Blends from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
- RP
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Big Basin Grizzly Red Blend 2011Rhone Red Blends from Santa Cruz Mountains, California
- RP
- WE
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Terry Hoage 5 Blocks Cuvee 2011Rhone Red Blends from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
- RP
- WS
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Mas Martinet Clos Martinet Priorat 2011Rhone Red Blends from Priorat, Spain
- RP
- WS
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Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2011Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS