The Rhone Valley is located in the southeastern part of France and is generally divided into two main regions: the North and the South. The Southern Rhone focuses mainly on blended wines that utilize many of the grapes allowed in this region while the Northern Rhone uses Syrah for its reds and Viognier, Roussane, and Marsanne for its whites. Most Southern Rhone wines have at least some Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre in their blends.
The Southern Rhone is generally hot and the vineyards feature large stones called gallettes that retain the daytime heat throughout the night. As a result, Southern Rhone wines can often achieve high levels of ripeness and alcohol. The best wines are ageable, complex, and full of flavor and can rival the top wines from all over the world. The most famous village in the Southern Rhone is undoubtedly Chateauneuf du Pape. Chateuneuf du Pape features delicious, ageable red and white wines that are made from different combinations of grapes, usually leading with Grenache. While Chateauneuf du Pape is arguably the most important village in the Southern Rhone, it is by no means the alone. Gigondas, Vacqueyras, and Lirac as well as hosts of other small villages make wines with grape combinations similar to Chateauneuf, though the wines in these less important villages rarely achieve the greatness of the finest Chateauneuf du Pape. It is also important to note that the Southern Rhone produces many wines under the Cotes du Rhone appellation. Cotes du Rhone wines can be either red, white or rose. Like other Southern Rhone wines, Cotes du Rhones are made from blends of grapes. These wines often represent the best value in the Rhone valley, especially for everyday consumption. The final The Southern Rhone wines to note are the rose wines from Tavel. These wines are powerful and full-bodied and are generally regarded as some of the top roses in the world.
Unlike the Southern Rhone with its blended wines, the Northern Rhone's reds focus mainly on Syrah and the whites are comprised of Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne, depending on the region. Interestingly, though the red wines of Cote Rotie and Hermitage feature Syrah, these wines often blend in small amounts of white wines to increase the wines aromatic complexity. Like Chateauneuf du Pape in the south, the wines of the Northern Rhone are often long-lived. Cote Rotie and Hermitage, both red and white versions, can age for well over a decade, and often up to twenty years ore more. Though Cote Rotie and Hermitage are undoubtedly the most important red wine appellations of the North, they are by no means the only appellations. Some of the lesser appellations are St. Joseph, Cornas and Crozes-Hermitage which all feature Syrah as their main grape. As far as white wines go, the Northern Rhone plays host to two of the most famous in the world: Condrieu and Hermitage. The wines of Condrieu are made exclusively from Viognier while the white wines of Hermitage are made from Roussanne and Marsanne. Both Condrieu and Hermitage produce wines that are full of body, richness, complexity and a certain aromatic complexity that captivates wine drinkers from around the world.
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Fresh and open, with red and dark berry fruit supported by grilled herb and tobacco notes. Drink now.
List: $56 91 Wine Spectator Very ripe, with velvety layers of crushed plum and mulled blackberry fruit interwoven with bittersweet ganache, fruitcake and melted licorice. The long, dense, fleshy finish sails on nicely. Approachable now, thanks to the sleek structure, but better with a touch of cellaring. Best from 2010 through 2025.
91 Wine Spectator Very lush, with velvety-textured fig, currant paste and melted red licorice notes that glide along, while hints of Black Forest cake and hoisin sauce weave in and out. Not as dense as the Terrasse du Diable, but the range is there for cellaring. Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Clairette. Drink now through 2014.
Bold, bacony toast and cocoa notes trumpet the way for the black cherry and currant fruit. Nice hints of game and lavender on the finish keep it honest. Drink now. 1,500 cases imported. 87 pts. - WS
A very ripe, flashy style, with soft, creamy-textured peach, apricot and ginger notes that move languidly through the big, broad finish. Drink now through 2010.
This first-class example of the world's greatest rose is a steal by today's standards. Deep copper. Warm and charming. Fine pepper expression balanced by a crisp, clean berry fruit. Forthright charm. Classic Tavel vinosity with a tingling edge. Superb rose expression.
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