Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Mulberries, dark plums, olives, dried herbs and minerals on the nose. Full body and chewy tannins. Chalky texture with juicy character. Herbal and juicy with structure and balance. Ample, flavorful finish with length. Really excellent. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold.
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Wine Enthusiast
A concentrated bouquet of strawberry, pomegranate and vanilla is on the nose. The palate is wonderfully layered with black cherry, raspberry, dark chocolate, acacia, herbes de Provence and velvety tannins. Though you can drink it now, it'll be best after 2025.
Cellar Selection
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.
Granted its own appellation within Minervois in the Languedoc region of France, Minervois La Livinière takes its name from cella vinaria, Latin for ‘wine cellar.’ In the hilly northern end of Minervois, the altitude and dense, rocky limestone soils of La Liviniere produce quality red Rhône Blends made from Syrah, Mourvedre, Grenache and Carignan.