Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Bottled in July of last year, the 2016 Côtes du Rhône sports a medium ruby/purple color as well as a classic bouquet of cherries, strawberries, spice, and dried flowers. It's elegant, medium-bodied, seamless, and undeniably delicious. Buy a case.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
The 2016 Domaine de Marcoux Côtes du Rhône offers an excellent richness that most others often do not bring to the table. While the soft and easy ones are quite good for most imbibers, this wine takes this AOC up to another level and would be loved by New World wine drinkers. This wine's richness is best paired with savory braised meat dishes. (Tasted: November 2, 2017, San Francisco, CA)
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.