2012 Côtes du Vivarais

Côtes du Vivarais may well be one of the Rhône Valley’s least-known crus. A small zone that earned AOC status only in 1999, it lies along the western banks of the Rhône, just south of Montélimar—roughly halfway in between great growths of the southern Rhône like Châteauneuf and the revered slopes of Cornas to the north. Grenache finds an unusually elegant expression in this slightly cooler zone, while Syrah, with its dense structure and savory aromas, is a natural companion in the blend. The Gallety family has farmed the limestone vineyards here for three generations now, proudly carrying the flag for the local wines. Organic farming is a central tenet of their efforts to showcase the Vivarais terroir, as are noninterventionist practices in the cellar, like racking by gravity and élevage in neutral wood. This full-bodied, spicy red could well replace Vacqueyras or Saint-Joseph as your go-to Rhône red. –Anthony Lynch

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

• Vintage 2012
• Bottle Size 750mL
• Blend 50% Syrah, 50% Grenache
• Appellation Côtes du Vivarais
• Country France
• Region Southern Rhône
• Vineyard 40 years average, 13.8 ha
• Soil Clay, Limestone
• Winemaker Alain Gallety
• Aging Wine is aged in neutral oak barrels for about 15 months
• Farming Organic
• Alcohol 13.5%