Winemaker Notes
Blend: 85% Grenache, 15% Syrah
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
This is the joint venture of Michel Gassier, Philippe Cambie and Eric Solomon. Their 2012 Cercius Vieilles Vignes Cotes du Rhone, a blend of 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah aged six months in concrete, tips the scales at nearly 15% alcohol. Possibly the finest Cercius produced to date, this gorgeous red reveals a lot of sucrosity (sweetness from ripeness, not residual sugar) along with loads of lavender, black raspberry, kirsch, licorice and a touch of pepper. Well-balanced, pure, medium to full-bodied and savory, this superb value should drink nicely for 2-3 years.
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.