Winemaker Notes
Coming entirely from Grenache planted around 1950 in a sandy part of Lirac, the Côtes-du-Rhône Les Sables d’Arene would be a standout Lirac if it wasn’t for the fact that mono-varietal wines are not permitted according to current AOC rules. Rather than dilute the quality and unique expression of of old-vine Grenache grown on sandy soils, François and Marie bottle this wine as a Côtes-du-Rhône rouge instead.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Moving to the 2017s, this is a stronger vintage than 2018, and the wines have slightly more concentration. The 2017 Côtes Du Rhône Les Sables d’Arène offers terrific richness and depth as well as medium to full body, loads of blackberry and black raspberry fruits, classic peppery garrigue nuances, and ample ripe tannins. It plays in the elegant, seamless style that this cuvée always shows yet displays the sunny, Provençal style of the vintage.
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.