Winemaker Notes
This wine goes very well with grilled meat, sausages or cheese.
Professional Ratings
-
Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
You know sometimes, you just want to drink a really tasty red wine and not even think about it. Well, this could be the one. Actually, this is the one. The fresh and fruit-driven 2012 Domaine Le Garrigon by Louis Bernard Cotes-du-Rhone is simply delectable; smooth and joyful on the palate; the winery recommends grilled meat, sausages or cheese. I am thinking how about a slowly grilled organic chicken, hmm, this makes me quite hungry. This wine has plenty of ripe fruit richness and sails so easily on the palate. Drinks so well, everyone will be charmed.
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.