Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
A glorious nose - cherry blossom, raspberry and redcurrant coulis - I could smell this all day. Intense but not heavy with a great sense of purity, bright fruity acidity and very fine tannin. This has such charm and character, it's drinkable, focussed and precise with a little sappy, balsamic herbal note that brings it all together. Great value for money. Pebbly clay limestone slope, grown at 250 to 420m altitude. Hand-harvested, destemmed, indigenous yeasts, fermented then matured for 20 months in concrete. 15% Cinsault in the blend gives great aromatic freshness and fluidity on the palate.
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.
One of the more established Rhône villages promoted to its own 'Côtes du Rhône Villages' appellation, Vinsobres produces uniquely styled Rhône Blends based on Grenache and Syrah in its relatively cool and elevated vineyards.