Winemaker Notes
Enjoy with any slow-cooked caramelised dishes, creamy cheeses or chocolate dessert with red fruits coulis.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
There’s less than 100 cases of the 2014 Cotes du Rhone Villages Séeguret Family Reserve Grenache (100% Grenache from the oldest vines on the estate), which sports a ruby/purple-tinged color as well as sexy, sweet bouquet of kirsch liqueur, black raspberries, roasted Provençal herbs, pepper and lavender. Broad, beautifully concentrated, especially for a 2014, with sweet tannin, terrific purity and a great finish, it’s a terrific example of what a top-notch estate can do in a difficult vintage. It’s well worth seeking out and will drink well through 2024.
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Wine Spectator
Features a solid core of plum, anise and black currant, liberally inlaid with sweet tobacco and bramble notes, all carried by a well-integrated chalky spine. Solid for the vintage. Best from 2017 through 2020.
Grenache thrives in any warm, Mediterranean climate where ample sunlight allows its clusters to achieve full phenolic ripeness. While Grenache's birthplace is Spain (there called Garnacha), today it is more recognized as the key player in the red blends of the Southern Rhône, namely Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône and its villages. Somm Secret—The Italian island of Sardinia produces bold, rustic, single varietal Grenache (there called Cannonau). California, Washington and Australia have achieved found success with Grenache, both flying solo and in blends.
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.