Winemaker Notes
Blend: 50% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, 5% other indigenous varieties
Professional Ratings
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Tasting Panel
This above average blend of 60% Grenache Noir, 30% Syrah, and 10% Mourvedre offers dimension, weight, and a silky mouthfeel, sending along scents of coffee and tobacco that also translate on the palate. Raspberry preserves and dark chocolate are buttoned up in a fine coat with good acid structure. Lavender lifts on the finish.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
This wine continues to be domaine-bottled, although a cursory look at the label reveals just 2019 La Nerthe Cotes du Rhone Villages Les Cassagnes. It's a separate estate under the same ownership as Château La Nerthe. Dark and intensely colored, it comes across as welcomely airy and lacy in texture, while still showing ample concentration. A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre from limestone and sand soils, it delivers notes of ripe cherries and mulberries, plus hints of roses, garrigue, orange zest and dried spices. It's uncommonly elegant for a villages wine, with a long, silky finish.
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Wine Spectator
Warm raspberry ganache, anise and alder notes all mix in this juicy, full-bodied version. Plum cake and singed cedar hints chime in on the finish.
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.
An appellation full of some of the most delightful and particularly charming reds, Côtes du Rhône Villages includes the best villages of the greater Côtes du Rhône appellation. The possibility for an appellation promotion exists for every named village but each has to achieve and prove superior quality before an upgrade will be granted. The main ones today are Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Beaumes-de-Venise, Vinsobres, Rasteau and Cairanne.
The Gigondas appellation, while sometimes producing wines with a touch of rusticity, can often rival Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Its elevations are higher and soils richer in limestone. Vacqueyras reds are more concentrated than the more general Côtes du Rhône reds and must be at least one half comprised of Grenache by law. Beaumes de Venise also includes some excellent higher elevation spots for making snappy, fruity and spicy reds but historically the appellation’s esteem came from its fragrant, sweet and golden Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise.