Winemaker Notes
Between tapenade and blackcurrant, the cuvée Terre d'Argile offers a concentrate of aromas. Dense and fleshy, the mouth reveals deep and smooth notes of ripe fruit, and a lingering finish. An ideal companion to grilled lamb chops.
Blend: 25% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 25% Mourvèdre, 25% Carignan.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2019 Côtes du Rhône Villages Terre d'Argile brings more sweet fruit than the 2020 yet has similar dark, peppery fruits as well as Provençal garrigue-like aromas and flavors. It’s a full-bodied, ripe, bombastic beauty that shines in the vintage. It certainly put a smile on my face, and Southern Rhône lovers out there will dig this.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Black cherries, licorice and cocoa mark the nose of the 2019 Cotes du Rhone Villages Terre d'Argile. Full-bodied, rich and dense, with almost fudge-like flavors and intensity, this super effort finishes long, velvety and mouthwatering. It should drink well for at least a decade. Best after 2023. Rating: 92+
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Wine Enthusiast
Composed of equal parts Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Carignan fermented with 20% whole clusters, this powerful red highlights explosively fruity flavors of black plum and blueberry. Youthful and primary, it's gripped by a delicate fringe of oak tannins and lingering hits of anise and allspice. Best to enjoy now–2025 for its exuberant fruit.
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Wine Spectator
Focused, with a direct, winey core of dark plum and cherry preserve flavors infused with sanguine and mineral notes that enliven the lightly toasted finish. Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Cinsault and Mourvèdre. Drink now through 2022.
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.
An appellation full of some of the most delightful and particularly charming reds, Côtes du Rhône Villages includes the best villages of the greater Côtes du Rhône appellation. The possibility for an appellation promotion exists for every named village but each has to achieve and prove superior quality before an upgrade will be granted. The main ones today are Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Beaumes-de-Venise, Vinsobres, Rasteau and Cairanne.
The Gigondas appellation, while sometimes producing wines with a touch of rusticity, can often rival Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Its elevations are higher and soils richer in limestone. Vacqueyras reds are more concentrated than the more general Côtes du Rhône reds and must be at least one half comprised of Grenache by law. Beaumes de Venise also includes some excellent higher elevation spots for making snappy, fruity and spicy reds but historically the appellation’s esteem came from its fragrant, sweet and golden Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise.