Winemaker Notes
Deep, elegant and bright color with seductive aromas of ripe black, violet and licorice punctuated by peppery notes. There is a beautiful silky mouthfeel from the tannins which are elegant and well-balanced. It concludes with a velvety, long and intense finish. Lou Pontias is the name of the gentle breeze which wafts through the vineyard, refreshing the grapes on summer mornings. The vineyard is situated in the Southern Rhône Valley, on slopes close to the village of Puyméras up to 400 m altitude, and the village of Richerenches. These plots allow, for Puyméras a difference of temperatures between day and night, and for Richerenches to benefit from a very sunny position. This wine is made with grapes selected at optimum ripeness. The Syrah grapes benefit from ideal growing conditions cool temperatures at night, and hot, sunny conditions in the daytime.
Blend: 80% Syrah, 10% Marselan, 10% Grenache
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
This deeply coloured wine has an inviting nose of dark cherry and chocolate. The palate is dense and rich, with mouth-coating blackberry fruit and layers of chocolate, savoury spice and gently chewy tannins.
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.
Typically thought of as a baby Chateâuneuf-du-Pape, the term Côtes du Rhône actually doesn’t merely apply to the flatter outskirts of the major southern Rhône appellations, it also includes the fringes of well-respected northern Rhône appellations. White wines can be produced under the appellation name, but very little is actually made.
The region offers some of the best values in France and even some first-rate and age-worthy reds. Red wine varieties include most of the Chateâuneuf-du-Pape varieties like Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, and Counoise, as well as Carignan. White grapes grown include Grenache blanc, Roussanne and Viognier, among others.