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.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
The effusive aromas of summer flowers, forest berries and baking spices pull you into this very firmly structured, full-bodied Cotes-du-Rhone. Bold, crisp and emphatically dry finish.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
The 2023 Boissy & Delaygue Côtes du Rhône shows a deep ruby color and opens with aromas of ripe plums and sun-dried stones. On the palate, it is lively and expressive, revealing layers of red and black fruits accented by a touch of spice. This vibrant Rhône red pairs beautifully with Provençal-style grilled lamb chops seasoned with herbs de Provence and roasted garlic, a dish that mirrors the wine’s generous fruit and savory character. (Tasted: November 2, 2025, San Francisco, CA)
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.