Winemaker Notes
"Rich and intense, with a meaty aroma and layers of red plum, raspberry, dark cherry and dark chocolate flavors. There's also a pure, minerally spiciness, with an enveloping finish of clove, kirsch and mocha. Carignane, Syrah and Grenache. Drink now through 2015. 400 cases made."
-Wine Spectator
The vineyards are located on the slopes in the upper reaches of the Agly valley. The plot planted with Carignan and Shiraz is on gneiss at an altitude of 250 m, and faces north. The plot planted with Grenache is on south-facing slopes on an original soil made up of schists on a layer of limestone. The grapes are picked and selected by hand, 100% destemmed. Aged for 16-20 months before bottling.
Professional Ratings
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.
Although it is a region predominantly recognized for fortified, vins doux naturels (a type of sweet wine), Roussillon is also ideal for the production of dry red, white and rose wines. To encompass all the dry wines from the surrounding region that are not the vins doux naturels of Banyuls, Maury and Rivesaltes, the appellation of Côtes du Roussillon was created in 1977. It covers the eastern half of the Pyrénées-Orientales (the eastern side of the Pyrenees Mountains) and lower lands of Roussillon. Côtes du Roussillon includes complex soils of schist, limestone, gneiss and granite and climatic conditions that support many grape varieties.
Côtes du Roussillon red wines are blends made from Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and smaller amounts of Carignan, Cinsault and the lesser known, Lledoner Pelut. Rosé wines come from the same varieties, as well as may include Grenache Gris and Macabeo. White wines from Côtes du Roussillon are Grenache Blanc and Macabeo with small amounts of Marsanne, Roussanne and Rolle (aka Vermentino).