Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2016 Cuvée Romaine is another smoking vintage for this cuvée, and in my view, the best to date, surpassing the 2005, 2007, and 2009. Blackberry, peppery herbs, garrigue and hints of leather all emerge from this ripe, full-bodied, incredibly sexy, opulent beauty. With sweet fruit, a stacked mid-palate, no hard edges, sweet tannin and a great finish, this is rockingly good. Buy a case and drink it over the coming 7-8 years. The blend is 65% Grenache, 25% Mourvèdre, and 10% Syrah, all from Vacqueyras, that spent 10-12 months all in concrete tanks.
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.