Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This is a dense, concentrated and expressive wine, although it's still young and promises more beauty and elegance with age. Aromas of African violets and cocoa nibs marry harmoniously with the fleshy black-fruit core. Jammy, ripe plum and cherry flavors lead the lush and slightly creamy palate, transitioning into notes of roasted coffee and chocolate, and finally ending on a sweet toasted-oak and baking-spice accent. It's richly delicious now, but patience will also be rewarded.
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Wine Spectator
A big, rich red, with touches of elegance to the well-structured flavors of dark plum, cherry tart and blackberry. Features a fresh dose of acidity, with some hints of ruby grapefruit and tangerine. Long and lush on the finish.
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.
Of the five Côtes du Roussillon Villages appellations, Tautavel (recognized since 1997) sits farthest east, on the last granite outcropping before the land slopes to the Mediterranean Sea. The infertile soils here force vine roots to dig deep for water and nutrients, which creates wines with more complexity. Tautavel’s superior quality red wines are blends traditionally based on Carignan, but today tend to include more Grenache and Syrah. The minor variety, Lledor Pelut (a variant of Grenache) is also allowed.
Côtes du Roussillon-Tautavel claims a warm Mediterranean climate but its slight altitude (650 ft) keeps it cooler and drier than the plains.