Winemaker Notes
Deep ruby with purple hues; aromas of cherry, blackberry, and soft spices lingering through the finish. Full-bodied with a good acidity and character. Tannins are subtle and smooth.
This wine matches perfectly with Italian or Mediterranean cuisine such as pasta dishes, pizza or grilled lamb, but also stands up to tasty meat such as barbecue ribs or duck breast. Very good served at room temperature during the winter, it can also be lightly chilled in summer.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
This is a deliciously fruity and harmonious red made of syrah, grenache, marselan and mourvedre. The nose shows aromas of wild berries, dried herbs and crushed peppercorns. Medium-bodied, this has fine, firm tannins, a very juicy center-palate and a focused finish. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification.
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.
Gently rolling hills covered by large, round stones on south-facing slopes, Costieres de Nimes is a substantial IGP zone that was formerly considered part of the Languedoc. Today it is included as a section of the southern Rhone; its climate, topography and wines put it more in line with that appellation. Grenache is its most important red variety, along with Mourvedre, Syrah and Carignan. Half of the production here is rosé.