Winemaker Notes
Nose: Grenache leads with strawberry, chocolate, prune, cherry and violet notes.
Palate: Black fruits, cherry, pepper; lingering finish
Pair with red and white meats, pizza, barbecue, pasta and cheese
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Now owned by Guigal, this bottling should be fairly easy to find in the United States, with 35,000 cases imported. Its dense, youthful purple color presages intense aromas of jammy black and red berry fruit, while gamy notes, black olives and dried herbs add complexity. The blend of 65% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre and 5% Carignan is long and smooth on the finish, with supple tannins and just the right grip.
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.