Winemaker Notes
Robert Parker says, "This unheralded estate is making fabulous wines from their 62 acres of vines spread throughout Rasteau and the surrounding Cotes du Rhone appellation. Proprietor Georges Perrot utilizes the services of the enormously talented Philippe Cambie, and, as one might expect, these are full-flavored, wonderfully pure, complex wines that respect their appellation."
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A sleeper of the vintage, the 2010 Cotes du Rhone, which includes Grenache and Syrah in the blend, possesses surprisingly full body as well as concentrated, sweet blackberry and kirsch notes intermixed with hints of spring flowers, pepper and earth. Fruity, hedonistic, complex and opulent, it can be enjoyed over the next 3-4 years. Rated 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.