Winemaker Notes
A very deep crimson color. A very complex nose of small blackberries with spice notes. Very powerful in mouth with an excellent lingering, tannins are there but they are rounded,harmoniously woody, good aromatic persistency of sloe and liquorice.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
This has such rich and delicious fruit. Ripe dark-berry and plum aromas and flavors run riot here. Very succulent and such great value, too. Drink or hold.
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Jeb Dunnuck
One of the more fresh, focused wines in the lineup, the 2017 Rasteau La Bastide offers classy red plum and blackberry fruit as well as notes of sappy underbrush, spice, and spring flowers. With a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, good acidity, and plenty of underlying structure, hide bottles for 2-3 years and enjoy over the following 7-8 years. Rating: 91+
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2017 Rasteau La Bastide is ripe and chocolaty, full-bodied and creamy-textured. A blend of Grenache and Mourvèdre, it's almost dessert-like, with a rich, velvety finish that lingers on the palate.
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Decanter
Violet, licorice and cassis nose. Very full bodied, lush and juicy with fine, supporting tannins and a firm, holistic finish.
Grenache thrives in any warm, Mediterranean climate where ample sunlight allows its clusters to achieve full phenolic ripeness. While Grenache's birthplace is Spain (there called Garnacha), today it is more recognized as the key player in the red blends of the Southern Rhône, namely Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône and its villages. Somm Secret—The Italian island of Sardinia produces bold, rustic, single varietal Grenache (there called Cannonau). California, Washington and Australia have achieved found success with Grenache, both flying solo and in blends.
A highly successful southern Rhone village promoted to Cotes du Rhone Villages status because of its intense and heady red wines, Rasteau is also recognized for its fortified wine, Vin Doux Naturel. Grenache is responsible for both styles. Rasteau also produces refreshing white and rosé table wines.