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.
Pair with lamb chops.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2021 Côtes Du Rhône Terre d’Argile is also terrific and, as expected, brings more richness and depth. There's no Les Garrigues in the vintage, so all of the old vine Grenache that normally goes into that cuvée is in here. Black raspberries, darker fruits, ground pepper, and some meaty and floral notes give way to a pretty, medium-bodied, nicely concentrated 2021 that has good acidity and enough tannins to allow it to evolve for at least 5-6 years. It's a terrific Côtes Du Rhône, especially in the vintage.
Barrel Sample: 90-92 -
James Suckling
A fruity and textured red with notes of candied cherries, redcurrants, dried herbs and mild spices. Medium body with chewy tannins. Spicy and sharp with transparent berry character towards the succulent peppery finish. Drink or hold.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
In 2021, Janasse didn't bottle a Les Garrigues, so that fruit went into the 2021 Cotes du Rhone Villages Terre d'Argile. There's no doubt it improved the quality of this wine, a blend of approximately one-third each Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah. Cherries, garrigue and raspberry notes all appear on the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate is silky and fine, with a long, elegant finish.
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.