Winemaker Notes
A deep, bright ruby red. Nose: intense, revealing red fruit notes as well as garrigue and sweet spicy fragrances. On the palate, the wine expresses the subtle alliance of aromatic power and tannic finesse. Explosive on the finish with exceptional length and touches of licorice.
Perfect with grilled red meats as well as a variety of cheese and charcuterie.
Blend: 55% Grenache, 45% Syrah
Professional Ratings
-
Jeb Dunnuck
From vines throughout the region and a blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah brought up all in concrete, the 2018 Côtes Du Rhône comes from a collaboration between Michel Chapoutier and 3-star Michel Chef Yannick Alleno. It has a perfumed bouquet of ripe black cherries, blackberries, garrigue, and chocolate. This carries to a medium to full-bodied Côtes Du Rhône that has a distinct saltiness, beautiful fruit, and a great finish. It seems to always over-deliver.
Barrel Sample: 90-92
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.