Winemaker Notes
The color is bright red with purple highlights. The nose is intense and complex on spicy notes added to aromas of red fruit jam and a hint of light tobacco. The mouth is attractive and smooth with a tight texture, on ripe fruit followed by licorice flavors and a mineral background with silky tannins. The finish is elegant and subtly spiced.
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
Cotes du Rhone is among the world's best red wine values. The 2022 Domaine du Pere Caboche Reserve is attractive and smooth on the palate. This wine exhibits aromas and flavors of attractive sandalwood, garden herbs, and chalky notes. Enjoy it with a slow-cooked lamb stew. (Tasted: January 9, 2024, 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.