Winemaker Notes
The 2021 vintage offers beautiful notes of black fruits, garrigue and spices. The mouth is greedy, with a tannic texture present but very fine. The opulent, round finish is undoubtedly charming.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Dark wild berries, dried herbs, dark cherries, baking spices, roasted meat and hints of cloves as well. Medium to full body with a round and creamy core of fruit. Generous with a caressing texture and so much pepper character bringing vivacity and energy to the focused finish. Structured and flavorful finish with a licorice aftertaste. 40% grenache, 35% syrah, 15% carignan and 10% mourvedre.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A step up from the basic Côte du Rhône, the 2021 La Solitude Côtes du Rhône Villages Reserve emanates from the commune of Rochegude. It shows some lovely rose-like florals, strawberry and raspberry fruit on the nose. It's only medium-bodied but silky in feel and fine and elegant on the lingering 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.
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.