Winemaker Notes
Pair with grilled pork sausages with herbs; roasted lamb; ribs with smoky chipotle glaze.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Leading off the 2015s which were all tasted from bottle, the 2015 Côtes du Rhône les Quartz is terrific and will compete with any number of more expensive Châteauneuf du Papes. Strawberries, framboise, garrigue and flower notes all flow to an elegant, ethereally textured Côtes du Rhône that has depth, length, and complexity. With silky tannin, a charming, forward style, and a great finish, it's a no-brainer purchase.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A blend of 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah from just outside Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the 2015 Cotes du Rhone Les Quartz displays tremendous fruit purity and freshness. Raised half in demi-muids and half in foudre, the wine's crisp berry and baking spice notes come to a silky finish. It's an impressive Cotes du Rhone.
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Wine Spectator
Friendly, with fleshy layers of plum sauce, cherry preserves and red licorice gliding over a silky but persistent structure. Fresh acidity gives this cut for balance.
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.