Winemaker Notes
#64 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2022
This wine has a nose of red fruits, bursting with fresh blackcurrant and redcurrant and a lovely palate of great length underscored by soft tannins.
Blend: 60% Grenache, 40% Syrah
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
A firm core of mineral courses through this well-built red, with ripe red berry and cassis punctuated by char, meat, black pepper, dried herbs and warm vanilla. Heady and generous yet balanced.
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Wine Enthusiast
In the glass, this wine has a classic nose magnified with opulent dark fruits integrated with a fine thread of lavender. The palate is silky yet boasts a bold powerful profile of black cherry, cassis, blueberry, blackberry, flint and clove, all of which are balanced by the wine’s natural acidity derived from high-elevation, limestone-driven plots.
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.
One of the more established Rhône villages promoted to its own 'Côtes du Rhône Villages' appellation, Vinsobres produces uniquely styled Rhône Blends based on Grenache and Syrah in its relatively cool and elevated vineyards.