Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
80% grenache with 10% each of carignan and syrah. This whole cluster fermentation makes for fragrant, ethereal aromas of wild flowers, pepper and graphite. The palate exudes supple, fleshy raspberry and red plum fruits.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
In the same ballpark, the Grenache-dominated 2015 Cotes du Rhone Vieilles Vignes comes for more diverse terroirs and is aged in foudre, older barrels and stainless steel. Concentrated, medium plus bodied and loaded with darker fruits, olives, pepper and cured meat aromas and flavors, it’s another incredibly high quality Cotes du Rhone from this family.
Range: (88-90)
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.