Winemaker Notes
The Côtes-du-Rhône from Clos Saint Antonin comes from the younger vines on the property between 30-50 years old. This cuvée is is mostly Grenache but includes small amounts of Syrah and Mourvèdre. For this cuvée to achieve as naked an expression of Grenache as possible it is fermented and aged without SO2 it in neutral 600L French oak demi-muids.
Blend: 80% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Although this southern Rhone red has tons of black fruit and quite an expansive scale, there’s also some red-fruit and herbal freshness on the nose, then enticing smoothness at the finish.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Mainly Grenache, with the balance a blend of Mourvèdre and Syrah, the 2019 Cotes du Rhone offers up notions of ripe cherries, garrigue and even a few modest hints of pine sap. Medium to full-bodied, it's concentrated and ripe yet silky and reasonably elegant. Drink it over the next several years.
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.