Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Notes of smoke, blackberries, blueberries, violets and herbs. Medium-to full-bodied with firm tannins. Fleshy, flavorful and fresh red with a crisp finish. Drink or hold.
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Wine Enthusiast
This robust, fragrant red introduces itself with spiced plum and violet perfumes. A Grenache-dominant blend augmented by Syrah, Mourvèdre and Carignan, it's packed with ripe, penetrating red-cherry and strawberry flavors that are lifted by a bristling mineral crush. Enjoy through 2024.
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Wine Spectator
Dark plum and blackberry puree flavors form the core, with a black licorice note wrapped around them. A dash of sweet toast on the finish adds to the flattering feel. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Carignan. Drink now through 2023.
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.