A splurgeworthy find from an estate dating back to 1150, the Chateau de Rouanne Vinsobres. A GSM blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre from a single block of 50+ year-old vines in Vinsobres in the southern Rhone Valley of France. The wine is aged in cement … [Read more...]
The Best Rhone Wines
E. Guigal Cotes du Rhone Rouge - A Classic Rhone Value
A great wine for the price that is widely available, including at some Costco locations. We review the E. Guigal Cotes du Rhone Rouge. 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre from vines with an average age of 35 years throughout the southern Rhone Valley of France. The … [Read more...]
Kirkland Signature Cotes du Rhone Villages - A Whole Lot of Complexity For $7
The best value in all of the Costco Kirkland Signature wines? We check out the latest vintage of the Kirkland Signature Cotes du Rhone Villages. A blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre from Cotes du Rhone Villages, France. … [Read more...]
Laurent Dublanc Tradition et Terroir Cotes du Rhone from Trader Joe's
A solid little GSM blend, we review the Laurent Dublanc Tradition et Terroir Cotes du Rhone from Trader Joe's. While the label doesn't specify, the wine is a blend of predominantly Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre (aka GSM) from the Rhone Valley of France. … [Read more...]
Vignobles de la Vallee du Rhone Collection Rhone - Uncomplicated
A nice, inexpensive Cotes du Rhone from Trader Joe's, we review the Vignobles de la Vallee du Rhone Collection Rhone. A red blend of 55% Grenache, 30% Carignan and 15% Syrah from Cotes du Rhone, France. … [Read more...]
Delas Saint-Espirit Cotes du Rhone - The Complete Package
Everything you want in an inexpensive (thanks to the Costco price) Rhone blend, the Delas Saint-Espirit Cotes du Rhone. 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache from the Ardeche region in the Rhone Valley of France. The wine is aged 8 months in stainless steel. … [Read more...]
Reserve des Chastelles Tavel Rosé - Serious Rhone Rosé from Trader Joe's
Much more than your typical sub-$10, lazy day, easy-drinking rosé, we check out the latest vintage of the Reserve des Chastelles Tavel Rosé from Vignobles & Compagnie. A rosé blend of primarily Grenache Noir plus Cinsault, Grenache Blanc, Syrah and Carignan from Tavel, … [Read more...]
Caves du Fournalet Cotes du Rhone - A Worthy Buy
A tasty Cotes du Rhone red blend in a distinctive bottle for just $7 at Trader Joe's, the Caves du Fournalet Cotes du Rhone. A red blend from the Rhone Valley of France. No info is given but it is likely primarily made from Grenache. … [Read more...]
Kirkland Signature Chateauneuf du Pape - A Costco QPR Champ!
A high end wine available close to $20 thanks to Costco. The Kirkland Signature Chateauneuf-du-Pape! A Southern Rhone blend of 70% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Cinsault and 10% Mourvedre from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France. … [Read more...]
Ferraton Pere & Fils Samorens Cotes du Rhone Rouge - Tempting
A little bit meaty, a little bit spicy, a little bit peppery and a lot bit tasty, the Ferraton Pere & Fils Samorens Cotes du Rhone Rouge. 85% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 5% Cinsault from the left bank of the Rhone, France. The wine is matured in vats. … [Read more...]
Bois de Menge Gigondas - Balanced and Easy
A solid buy at the very reasonable Trader Joe's price, the Vignobles & Compagnie Bois de Menge Gigondas. 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah from Gigondas, Southern Rhone, France. The wine has 4 g/L of residual sugar. … [Read more...]
Famille Perrin Cotes du Rhone Reserve Blanc – Fresh and Smooth
Why should the Rhone red wines get all the love? The Famille Perrin Cotes du Rhone Reserve Blanc. A blend of Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier from Cairanne and Jonquieres in the Rhone Valley of France. The wine is fermented in stainless steel. … [Read more...]
Barton & Guestier Cotes du Rhone – Simply Enjoyable
A $10 red blend you can't help but enjoy, the Barton & Guestier Cotes du Rhone Les Galets. 50% Syrah, 30% Carignan and 20% Grenache from the Southern Rhone, France. The wine does not spend time in oak and is vegan friendly. … [Read more...]
Ferraton Saint-Joseph La Source - A True Treat
From a part of the Rhone we don't see a lot of here comes a fantastic example of a favorite variety, the Ferraton Pere et Fils Saint-Joseph La Source. 100% Syrah from Saint-Joseph, Northern Rhone, France. The wine is partially aged in oak barrels for 12 months. … [Read more...]
Rhone Valley Adventures Part Two - Southern Rhone
Also be sure to check out Part One of this series, focusing on Northern Rhone. Today we turn to the second half of our Rhone Valley Adventure, focusing on the Southern Rhone. (For our post on Northern Rhone and an overview of the Cotes du Rhone appellation and all its … [Read more...]
Rhone Valley Adventures - Northern Rhone
Includes an overview of the Cotes du Rhone appellation and its designations. Earlier this year I was invited by Atout France to partake in what amounted to a wine-lovers dream trip -- an exploration of the Rhone Valley from north to south. Today is the first half of what will … [Read more...]
M. Chapoutier La Ciboise Costieres de Nimes Rouge - Unknown Rhone
A very good and very French red blend, the M. Chapoutier La Ciboise Costieres de Nimes Rouge. A blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan and Cinsault from Costeries de Nimes, Rhone Valley, France. The wine was aged for 6 months in concrete tanks. … [Read more...]
Chateau du Trignon Cotes-du-Rhone Villages Plan de Dieu - Wonderful
Another heavenly find from the Rhone Valley, the Chateau du Trignon Cotes-du-Rhone Villages Plan de Dieu red wine from Famille Quiot. 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah from 30 plus year-old vines in the Plan de Dieu appellation in the Southern Rhone Valley of France. The wine is … [Read more...]
Ferraton Pere et Fils Plan de Dieu - A Little Piece of Heaven
Smooth, savory and delicious, the Ferraton Pere et Fils Cotes-du-Rhone Villages Plan de Dieu. 65% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre from Cotes-du-Rhone Villages Plan de Dieu in the Southern Rhone of France. The wine is matured in concrete vats. … [Read more...]
Domaine Des Bosquets Gigondas - A Meaty Marvel
Splurging on a fantastic GSM blend from the Rhone, the Domaine Des Bosquets Gigondas. 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre and Cinsault from 50 year old vines in Gigondas, Rhone, France. The wine is aged for 18 months in a combination of concrete tanks, 228L barriques … [Read more...]
Chateauneuf du Pape On The Cheap At The Lidl French Wine Fair
Authentic Chateauneuf du Pape well under $20? Count us in! A blend of predominately Grenache with a small amount of Syrah from Chateauneuf du Pape, Rhone, France. The wine is aged in neutral oak tanks. … [Read more...]
Campuget 1753 Syrah - A Surefire Syrah
The Campuget 1753 Syrah, a favorite variety from a favorite place, the Rhone Valley. 100% Syrah from Costieres de Nimes, Rhone Valley, France. The wine was aged in vats for 6 months. … [Read more...]
Caves Saint-Pierre Gigondas - A Big Name at a Little Price
Available for $14.99 exclusively at Trader Joe's. Sample submitted for review. A blend of Grenache, Syrah and and Mourvedre from Gigondas, France. Available for $14.99 exclusively at Trader Joe's. Sample submitted for review. From the bottle: "Located in … [Read more...]
Caves Saint-Pierre Vacqueyras - GSM Love
A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre aged for 9 months in casks and large barrels. From Vacqueyras, Southern Rhone, France. Available for $12.99 exclusively at Trader Joe's. From the bottle: "Located in Chateauneuf-du-Pape since 1898, Caves Saint-Pierre is a … [Read more...]