Winemaker Notes
Hints of Châteauneuf pervade each sip from this chiseled beauty. Expansive aromas of fresh boysenberry,
black raspberry, and spice cake. Seamless and concentrated on the palate, one of the most complex
Côtes du Rhône wines made.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A rich and generous Cotes-du-Rhone with tons of damson plums and ripe blackberries, but also notes of hot, dry earth and spice. Lovely, rich and creamy mid-palate with tons of soft tannin, then a long, silky finish. A touch of overripe plum comes though at the end, but the wine remains balanced and subtle.
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.