Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2016 Côtes du Rhône Village Setier, also still in tank, offers more structure and tannin, with lots of black fruits, roasted herbs, olive tapenade, and obvious minerality. It too is impressive, medium-bodied, and concentrated, and appears to be an outstanding wine that will keep for at least 7-8 years.
Range: 90-93 -
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2016 Cotes du Rhone Villages Cuvee Setier is a blend of 60% Grenache and 20% each Mourvèdre and Syrah, with an average vine age of 50 years. Violets and raspberries mark the nose, along with hints of leather and mint. Still richly tannic, full-bodied and velvety in feel, with a long finish, it looks to have the ability to age for at least a decade from the vintage.
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Wine Spectator
A suave mesquite note curls up from the core of gently steeped plum and red currant flavors, carrying through the dried lavender–tinged finish. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre.
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.
An appellation full of some of the most delightful and particularly charming reds, Côtes du Rhône Villages includes the best villages of the greater Côtes du Rhône appellation. The possibility for an appellation promotion exists for every named village but each has to achieve and prove superior quality before an upgrade will be granted. The main ones today are Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Beaumes-de-Venise, Vinsobres, Rasteau and Cairanne.
The Gigondas appellation, while sometimes producing wines with a touch of rusticity, can often rival Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Its elevations are higher and soils richer in limestone. Vacqueyras reds are more concentrated than the more general Côtes du Rhône reds and must be at least one half comprised of Grenache by law. Beaumes de Venise also includes some excellent higher elevation spots for making snappy, fruity and spicy reds but historically the appellation’s esteem came from its fragrant, sweet and golden Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise.