Winemaker Notes
Pairs well with filet of beef with chanterelle mushroom, grilled duck breast or a wide range of cheeses.
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: One of the world's great wine bargains is Côtes-du-Rhône. This southern Rhône Valley appellation has provided—and continues to do so—excellent drinking red wines for more than half a century. The 2015 Bonpas Côtes-du-Rhône is a fine example of what I am talking about as a wine that I seek out for casual evenings. TASTING NOTES: The wine is fresh and pleasing. Its ripe red fruit and dried leather aromas and flavors make it a versatile meal wine. (Tasted: July 13, 2018, 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.