Notify me
2020 Côtes du Rhône
Selected by Kermit Lynch
This emblematic southern Rhône red originates half an hour east of Avignon, just outside a town whose name begins with Châteauneuf and whose vineyards are littered with the Rhône’s most quintessential terroir feature: the rounded river stones called galets roulés. No, this is not the Châteauneuf—Châteauneuf-du-Pape—that brought the region fame through its history of papal schism and legendary wines, but Châteauneuf-de-Gadagne, a charming medieval village worthy of a stop the next time you find yourself near Avignon.
For this cuvée—our house blend—we use mostly Grenache, along with some Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan, and a splash of Marselan planted in a galet-strewn terroir, which reflects the southern sun into the forty-year-old vines and yields an expressive rouge full of beautiful aromas and flavors of black cherries, stones, and a hint of black olive. Year in and year out, we are amazed to find this much southern French character and deliciousness for the price of a movie ticket.
—Tom Wolf
| Wine Type: | red |
| Vintage: | 2020 |
| Bottle Size: | 750mL |
| Blend: | 48% Grenache, 39% Syrah, 6% Mourvèdre, 5% Carignan, 1% Marselan, 1% Cinsault |
| 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: | 14.5% |
More from this Producer or Region
2023 Beaumes-de-Venise Rouge
France | Southern Rhône
Grenache is joined by Syrah and a drop of Mourvèdre to create this delightful everyday red scented of herbes de Provence and ripe black cherry.
2022 Gigondas “Racines”
France | Southern Rhône
The palate is dense and ripe, yet wonderfully smooth and elegant. Racines seems to tap into the history of Les Pallières, the prestige and the high-toned elegance.
2023 Côtes du Rhône Rouge
France | Southern Rhône
Dark-fruited, with fresh acidity and stony tannins, it’s about as versatile as reds come from the south of France.
2024 Vin de Pays de Vaucluse Rouge
France | Southern Rhône
October Club Gourmand ~ Black olive, fig, and rosemary abound in this easy-to-love, soulful southern Rhône red.
2023 Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise
France | Southern Rhône
This lovely Muscat is full of fresh honeysuckle and ripe citrus fruit.
2023 Vacqueyras Rouge “Doucinello” MAGNUM
France | Southern Rhône
The Férigoules have honed a unique style of Vacqueyras that mixes deep, dark color with a lightness of touch, rusticity with warmth, and minerality with delicious fresh fruit.
2023 Côtes-du-Rhône “L’Emouvante”
France | Southern Rhône
Deep, concentrated, and refreshingly saline, this is like great Cornas with Mediterranean influences.
2024 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 Rosé HALF BOTTLE
France | Southern Rhône
This dark, autumnal rosé is a beacon of tradition in a sea of paler styles.
2023 Vin de Pays de Vaucluse Rouge “Le Pigeoulet”
France | Southern Rhône
This is about as quaffable as the region’s rouges get.
/
About The Producer
Selected by Kermit Lynch
More from Southern Rhône or France
2024 Gigondas
Domaine de Durban France | Southern Rhône
2023 Côtes-du-Rhône “L’Emouvante”
Domaine Gramenon France | Southern Rhône
2023 Vin de Pays de Vaucluse Rouge “Le Pigeoulet”
Famille Brunier France | Southern Rhône
2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “La Crau” HALF BOTTLE
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe France | Southern Rhône
2021 Côtes-du-Rhône “La Papesse”
Domaine Gramenon France | Southern Rhône
2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “La Crau” MAGNUM
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe France | Southern Rhône
2024 Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge “Il Fait Soif”
Maxime-François Laurent France | Southern Rhône
2022 Tavel Rosé HALF BOTTLE
Trinquevedel France | Southern Rhône
2024 Côtes-du-Rhône “Sierra du Sud”
Domaine Gramenon France | Southern Rhône
2024 Côtes du Rhône Villages Rouge
Selected by Kermit Lynch France | Southern Rhône
Huile d’Olive Vierge Extra
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe | Southern Rhône
2022 Vacqueyras Rouge “Cuvée de Lopy”
Domaine Le Sang des Cailloux France | Southern Rhône
2024 Gigondas
Domaine de Durban France | Southern Rhône
2023 Côtes-du-Rhône “L’Emouvante”
Domaine Gramenon France | Southern Rhône
2023 Vin de Pays de Vaucluse Rouge “Le Pigeoulet”
Famille Brunier France | Southern Rhône
2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “La Crau” HALF BOTTLE
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe France | Southern Rhône
2021 Côtes-du-Rhône “La Papesse”
Domaine Gramenon France | Southern Rhône
2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “La Crau” MAGNUM
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe France | Southern Rhône
2024 Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge “Il Fait Soif”
Maxime-François Laurent France | Southern Rhône
2022 Tavel Rosé HALF BOTTLE
Trinquevedel France | Southern Rhône
2024 Côtes-du-Rhône “Sierra du Sud”
Domaine Gramenon France | Southern Rhône
2024 Côtes du Rhône Villages Rouge
Selected by Kermit Lynch France | Southern Rhône
Huile d’Olive Vierge Extra
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe | Southern Rhône
2022 Vacqueyras Rouge “Cuvée de Lopy”
Domaine Le Sang des Cailloux France | Southern Rhône
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
When buying red Burgundy, I think we should remember:
1. Big wines do not age better than light wine.
2. A so-called great vintage at the outset does not guarantee a great vintage for the duration.
3. A so-called off vintage at the outset does not mean the wines do not have a brilliant future ahead of them.
4. Red Burgundy should not taste like Guigal Côte-Rôtie, even if most wine writers wish it would.
5. Don’t follow leaders; watch yer parking meters.
Inspiring Thirst, page 174