Winemaker Notes
This classic Côtes du Rhône offers densely layered black and red fruit aromas with a characteristic spiciness on the nose. Medium-bodied on the palate, with ripe tannins, plenty of black cherry fruit, and a long, lingering finish.
It is the ideal accompaniment to most meals and a wide range of grilled meats and vegetables. It is particularly well-suited to dishes highlighted with Mediterranean herbs and spices.
Blend: 80% Grenache, 20% Syrah
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Moving to the reds, the 2019 Côtes Du Rhône is a smoking good effort offering loads of character in its red and black fruits as well as peppery herbs and leathery aromas and flavors. Liquid Provence in a bottle, it's medium to full-bodied, has a ripe, rounded mouthfeel, and outstanding length. I'd buy it.
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.