Winemaker Notes
Ruby red in color. A nose dominated by notes of cocoa, cherries, and spice. On the palate, the wine is bold with blackcurrant, cherry, and roasted nut flavors.
Blend: 65% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, 5% Carignan
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Moving to the southern Rhône releases, the 2016 Côtes du Rhône is mostly Grenache and has a perfumed, complex, medium to full-bodied style as well as lots of darker (even some blue) fruits, lavender, and pepper. Drink it over the coming 6-7 years.
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.