Winemaker Notes
The trio of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre grape varieties give a delicate wine where elegance and power are found to delight your palate. Aged in demi-muid for 11 months, this is a long and complex wine.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2007 Cotes du Rhone Villages Rasteau Cuvee Marc is another terrific wine from this top-notch estate. Made from 50% Grenache and 25% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre, aged all in demi-muids, it has a ripe, full-bodied, concentrated style as well as classic notes of ripe black fruits (currants, black cherries), chocolate, garrigue and spice.
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Wine Spectator
Really lush, with an appealing whiff of cocoa that gives way to crushed blueberry, boysenberry and blackberry fruit, held together by a long, graphite spine. Superfresh and driven, despite the almost heady fruit.
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.
A highly successful southern Rhone village promoted to Cotes du Rhone Villages status because of its intense and heady red wines, Rasteau is also recognized for its fortified wine, Vin Doux Naturel. Grenache is responsible for both styles. Rasteau also produces refreshing white and rosé table wines.