Winemaker Notes
This wine displays notes of black cherry, minerality, licorice, and wild herbs. Earthy and rich, it is a full-bodied fleshy wine fashioned in a supple open style. A great taste of red fruits. The tannins are harmonious and elegant. Nice finish in the mouth allowing for even more complex aromas. The wine allies strength and elegance but is still easy to drink for every day meal.
Blend: 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A year in, year out killer wine is the 2015 Côtes du Rhône Villages Cuvee Sabrine (80% Grenache and 20% Syrah), which is loaded with Provençal charm and offers lots of ripe black raspberries, spiced cherries, garrigue and leather aromas and flavors. It’s slightly more layered, concentrated and complex than the Feraud Brunel release, and has medium to full-bodied richness and sweet tannin, all suggesting it will drink nicely for 4-5 years.
Range: 89-92
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.