Winemaker Notes
This wine presents a beautiful ruby color with brilliant highlights. The nose is expressive, marked by aromas of red and black fruits (strawberry, morello cherry, blackcurrant), accompanied by a more floral and slightly spicy touch. On the palate, the wine combines freshness and juicy taste. The fruit expresses itself vividly, supported by notes of sweet spices, a hint of licorice and thyme, reminiscent of the garrigue. The finish is supple and pleasant, with a nice length. This cuvée, a historic wine of the estate, presents a balanced and elegant ensemble. It is a charming wine, accessible now, but which will also evolve well with time.
Blend: 70% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre, Carignan, & Counoise
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2023 Cotes du Rhone Le Bouquet des Garrigues is a serious and expressive Côtes du Rhône, bursting with aromas of ripe cherry, raspberry, licorice, garrigue and crushed stone. Medium- to full-bodied, supple and layered, it’s built around a core of vibrant fruit framed by fine, chalky tannins and bright underlying acidity. Sourced from sandy soils adjacent to the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, this cuvée offers a degree of refinement and depth that transcends its classification. It will drink well on release but also reward 5 to 8 years of cellaring.
Rating: 91+
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.