Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Even better, yet with only a minuscule amount made, the 2011 Cotes du Rhone les Garrigues is 100% Grenache, aged all in foudre, that comes from the same region as the Terre d'Argile. Loaded with strawberry, garrigue, roasted meats and mulled spices, it is medium to full-bodied, seriously endowed and gorgeously textured. Despite dishing out loads of fruit and texture, it remains remarkably fresh and elegant. Don’t miss a chance to latch onto a couple bottles if you can.
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.
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.