Winemaker Notes
Moderately tannic, this wine pairs well with grilled meat or fresh tomato pie.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
A special cuvée for importer Eric Solomon, the 2015 Côtes du Rhône Reserve is a beauty that’s from a blend of 55% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 10% Carignan, and 5% each of Mourvèdre, 5% Cinsault. Kirsch liqueur, black cherries, ground herbs, and garrigue notes all emerge from this this ripe, sexy, opulent Côtes du Rhône. Balanced and layered on the palate, with some serious oomph, it’s a smoking value!
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.