Winemaker Notes
This wine was neither fined nor filtered before bottling in order to preserve its personality and intensity. And although this wine could be enjoyed young, it will develop its full character much later and will keep its freshness for at least 20 years after bottling.
Blend: 85% Grenache, 15% Syrah
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Made with fruit from both Cairanne and Domazon, the dense ruby/purple-tinged 2010 Cotes du Rhone (85% Grenache and 15% Syrah) is a sleeper of the vintage. With excellent texture as well as a full-bodied mouthfeel, this sensational Cotes du Rhone exhibits lusty black cherry, raspberry and cassis fruit intermixed with hints of lavender, subtle smoke and earth ... Buy this one by the case. Range: 90-92
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.