Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Roasted and perfumy, with mesquite and espresso notes weaving through the crushed plum and red currant fruit. Tobacco and ganache hints flitter in on the finish, adding length and definition.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The inky/purple-colored 2010 Cotes du Rhone Les Deux Albion represents fabulous value. Offering up lovely notes of marmalade, honeysuckle, white peaches, cassis and black cherries, this is a full-bodied, luscious, supple-textured 2010.
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.