Notify me
2017 Côtes du Rhône
Selected by Kermit LynchIf you ever want to show someone what a red wine from the southern Rhône tastes like, this is the first bottle you should open. Each year, Kermit and Anthony travel to a cave cooperative outside of Avignon to sample two dozen tanks and craft an unfiltered blend that best represents that vintage in the southern Rhône. Packed with flavors of black olives, herbs, and blackberries, this custom bottling—which we have imported for more than three decades—is far more complex and refined than you might expect given the price. Take the tannin, to start. It is here in perfect measure, leaving you with a red that has some grip and spine, but is at the same time supremely approachable. Next, feel the generous acidity on your tongue. The versatility of this acid is, in large part, what makes this bottling such an ideal weeknight red. Open it on Tuesday, and it’s perfect with some simple pasta. Didn’t finish it in one night? Pour it again on Wednesday with a grilled chicken breast or burger. This wine is what the southern Rhône is all about.
—Tom Wolf
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2017 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | 48% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 8% Carignan, 6% Cinsault, 3% Mourvèdre |
Appellation: | Côtes du Rhône |
Country: | France |
Region: | Southern Rhône |
Producer: | Selected by Kermit Lynch |
Vineyard: | 40 years average, 36 ha |
Soil: | Marl, Limestone |
Aging: | Wine is aged in cement tank before bottling |
Farming: | Lutte Raisonnée |
Alcohol: | 14% |
More from this Producer or Region
2022 Côtes-du-Rhône “La Sagesse”
France | Southern Rhône
La Sagesse carries the full flavor, succulence, and savoriness we associate with Grenache on a graceful and lively frame.
2007 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “La Crau” MAGNUM
France | Southern Rhône
An aged magnum from this venerable producer is never a bad idea, as we at KLWM can happily attest.
2022 Tavel Rosé MAGNUM
France | Southern Rhône
This dark, autumnal rosé is a beacon of tradition in a sea of paler styles.
2020 Gigondas “Racines” MAGNUM
France | Southern Rhône
Intense in both color and character, the most dense and vinous I can ever remember from this cuvée.
2021 Gigondas “Terrasse du Diable” MAGNUM
France | Southern Rhône
Violets and dark berries dominate the palate, with a pleasant wild side lurking below the surface.
2022 Côtes du Rhône Rouge
France | Southern Rhône
A fresh, pure entry point to the Rhône’s great reds with aromas and flavors of black cherries, stones, and a hint of black olive.
2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc “Clos la Roquète”
France | Southern Rhône
Clos La Roquète’s blanc is luscious, yet finishes nice and dry with striking acidity.
2023 Côtes du Rhône Villages Rouge
France | Southern Rhône
We aimed for maximum drinkability: plenty of hedonistic purple-tinged fruit, along with a hint of wild herbs and lovely lavender and violet notes.
2022 Tavel “La Combe des Rieu”
France | Southern Rhône
This bears a rich bouquet of wild strawberry, flowers, garrigue, and sweet spices, culminating in a long, stony finale.
2023 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc “La Crau”
France | Southern Rhône
Clairette, an unsung hero of the south, is the main grape here, undoubtedly one of many key elements to this singular wine.
About The Producer
Selected by Kermit Lynch
More from Southern Rhône or France
2008 Gigondas “Terrasse du Diable”
Domaine Les Pallières France | Southern Rhône
2022 Vacqueyras Rouge “Floureto” MAGNUM
Domaine Le Sang des Cailloux France | Southern Rhône
2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “Piedlong”
Famille Brunier France | Southern Rhône
2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “La Crau”
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe France | Southern Rhône
2023 Côtes-du-Rhône “Sierra du Sud”
Domaine Gramenon France | Southern Rhône
2023 Gigondas
Domaine de Durban France | Southern Rhône
2022 Beaumes-de-Venise Rouge
Domaine de Durban France | Southern Rhône
2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “Télégramme”
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe France | Southern Rhône
NV Clairette de Die Brut
Achard-Vincent France | Southern Rhône
2022 Côtes du Rhône Rouge
Selected by Kermit Lynch France | Southern Rhône
2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc “Clos la Roquète”
Frédéric & Daniel Brunier France | Southern Rhône
2022 Tavel Rosé
Trinquevedel France | Southern Rhône
2008 Gigondas “Terrasse du Diable”
Domaine Les Pallières France | Southern Rhône
2022 Vacqueyras Rouge “Floureto” MAGNUM
Domaine Le Sang des Cailloux France | Southern Rhône
2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “Piedlong”
Famille Brunier France | Southern Rhône
2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “La Crau”
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe France | Southern Rhône
2023 Côtes-du-Rhône “Sierra du Sud”
Domaine Gramenon France | Southern Rhône
2023 Gigondas
Domaine de Durban France | Southern Rhône
2022 Beaumes-de-Venise Rouge
Domaine de Durban France | Southern Rhône
2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “Télégramme”
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe France | Southern Rhône
NV Clairette de Die Brut
Achard-Vincent France | Southern Rhône
2022 Côtes du Rhône Rouge
Selected by Kermit Lynch France | Southern Rhône
2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc “Clos la Roquète”
Frédéric & Daniel Brunier France | Southern Rhône
2022 Tavel Rosé
Trinquevedel France | Southern Rhône
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
Let the brett nerds retire into protective bubbles, and whenever they thirst for wine it can be passed in to them through a sterile filter. Those of us on the outside can continue to enjoy complex, natural, living wines.
Inspiring Thirst, page 236