Winemaker Notes
Ruby with garnet reflections. The nose offers a combination of fresh fruits such as raspberry and redcurrant. Spicy notes of cinnamon and garrigue stand out. The wine will gain in suppleness over time, and in jammy aromas of raspberry and plum as well as undergrowth. The wine is generous and spicy with notes of wild strawberries, raspberries and redcurrants. Touches of toast and sweet spices add complexity. The mouth is full and the finish is persistent.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
The nose is heady with violets and lavender over juicy red cherry and raspberry, framed by wild thyme. The palate brings rich plum fruit, plenty of white pepper, and a grounding layer of soft clay and crushed stone. Delicious with Asian beef noodle dishes or soups.
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Wine Spectator
There’s a lot of juicy, bouncy fruit to love in this red, with pure, alluring notes of cherry and plum etched in graphite. Shows hints of smoked bacon and fleur de sel, with a thread of savory acidity pulling everything together. Firm and focused on the chalky finish. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
The 2022 Maison Brotte CREATION GROSSET CAIRANNE shows a light red-ruby color and opens with aromas of dried leaves and tart cranberries, offering a gently savory, autumnal lift. On the palate, it carries a fine richness while remaining lively and well-composed, supported by soft, steady tannins and zingy acidity. Bright red-fruit flavors carry through to a crisp, refreshing finish, giving the wine both energy and balance. A natural pairing would be herb-roasted pork tenderloin with a cranberry reduction or rustic ratatouille, both of which complement the wine’s lively acidity and subtle earthiness. (Tasted: March 20, 2026, San Francisco, CA)
Located in Châteauneuf-du-Pape since 1931, the Brotte family own 3 exceptional estates in the Southern Rhone Valley. Here, Grenache is king and flourishes with its expressive fruit and is masterfully blended with Syrah and Mourvedre to add freshness and structure. Focused on protecting the environment, all Brotte Family estates are certified Sustainable by the Terra Vitis organization. As well as estate-grown wines, Maison Brotte collaborates with other growers to produce top quality wines from other appellations, including Condrieu, Côte Rôtie, Gigondas and Côtes de Provence. Their entire portfolio is consistently highly rated by the industries top publications and always reliable.
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.