Winemaker Notes
Pair with cold cuts (delicatessen), white meat, pastry, Mediterranean cooking.
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Still in tank when I tasted it, the 2017 Cotes du Rhone Roc Epine is a 60-40 blend of Grenache and Syrah. Cola, blueberries, black pepper and licorice notes all mingle easily on the nose and medium to full-bodied palate. Still youthfully firm and edgy, with a bit of dissolved carbon dioxide present in the sample, it should be ready to drink soon after bottling and drink well through 2024.
Range:88-90
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.