Winemaker Notes
The Saint-Esprit's deep color has a dark, plum-like hue. The nose is classic Syrah, with berry fruit, violet and licorice. It has a full, rounded palate with delicate tannins, making it a unique wine in the Côtes-du-Rhône appellation.
Saint-Esprit pairs well with Provençale-style cuisine, stuffed tomatoes and eggplant, mixed grills and barbecue.
Blend: 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 90% Mourvèdre & Other Traditional Grape Varieties
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A serious Cotes-du-Rhone. Full forest berry fruit with delicate spice, bitter chocolate and licorice notes. Impressive depth and some real structure on the full-bodied palate. I love the way the generous, rather fine tannins carry the long, spicy and fresh finish. A cuvee based on 60% grenache, mostly from the Vaucuse region, with about 30% syrah from the Gard and small amounts of mourvedre and other traditional grape varieties.
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Wine Enthusiast
A compelling meld of fresh blackplum, dark-red-cherry, black-olive and lavender aromas fill the glass. The palate is straightforward and black-fruited, with supple tannins that supporting layers of licorice, cocoa and dried herbs.
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Wine Spectator
A winey version, offering grilled plum and currant notes supported by chalky tannins and ample graphite shaving accents. Shows good vibrancy and substance on an open-knit palate, with campfire ash floating over the succulent finish.
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.