Winemaker Notes
Blend: 70% Grenache, 30% Syrah
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
My favorite Cotes du Rhone is the 2010 Guy Louis, a blend of 60% Grenache (from Rasteau, Cairanne and the Plan de Dieu) and 40% Syrah. This opaque blue/purple-colored, medium to full-bodied offering displays a stunning nose of forest floor, camphor, barbeque spices, licorice and blue, red and black fruits. This loaded cuvee may ultimately eclipse the sumptuous 2009.
Range: 90-92 -
Wine Spectator
Opulent, with a warm ganache note introducing layers of blackberry preserve, steeped black currant and roasted fig. The finish unfurls with velvety tannins and a long echo of espresso and graphite.
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.