Winemaker Notes
The wine possesses a dark plum color, copious tannins and body as well as earthy, sandy, loamy soil undertones, and plenty of kirsch, pepper and lavender. This big wine reveals superb concentration and enough structure to warrant several more months of cellaring.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
In addition to the Châteauneuf du Pape release, Marie makes a terrific Côtes du Rhône. The 2016 Côtes du Rhône Les Sables d'Arène comes all from Lirac and is a blend of 80% Grenache and 10% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre, aged all in concrete. Its medium ruby color is followed by perfumed notes of red and black fruits, garrigue and sandy/loamy soil aromatics. Fine, elegant, medium-bodied and seamless on the palate...
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A top-notch effort, the medium to full-bodied 2016 Cotes du Rhone Les Sables d'Arene features garrigue and licorice aromas, bright cherry flavors and a supple texture.
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.
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.