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
2024 Vin de Pays de Vaucluse Rouge
France | Southern Rhône
Black olive, fig, and rosemary abound in this easy-to-love, soulful southern Rhône red.
2024 Ventoux Rouge “Mégaphone”
France | Southern Rhône
Fragrant aromas of lavender and garrigue, notes of perfectly ripe black cherries, hints of black olive and stones.
2022 Côtes-du-Rhône “La Papesse”
France | Southern Rhône
Elevation and abundant limestone combine to give taut, high-toned wines with delicate floral aromas and stimulating mineral freshness.
2023 Vacqueyras Rouge “Cuvée de Lopy”
France | Southern Rhône
Stony and smoky, and full of garrigue and black cherry, it is an epic wine that opens up wonderfully now.
2022 Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge “Contre Couleur”
France | Southern Rhône
Deep, dynamic Grenache feels aptly highlighted by bright and fresh Clairette. Soft and rich, yet still defined.
2024 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.
2024 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.
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 “La Sagesse”
France | Southern Rhône
La Sagesse carries the full flavor, succulence, and savoriness we associate with Grenache on a graceful and lively frame.
2024 Côtes du Rhône Villages Rouge
France | Southern Rhône
Brambly, rustic, savory, and joyous, this is as perfect a house red from the Rhône as you’ll find.
/
About The Producer
Selected by Kermit Lynch
More from Southern Rhône or France
2024 Gigondas
Domaine de Durban France | Southern Rhône
2023 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “Piedlong”
Famille Brunier France | Southern Rhône
2023 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “Télégramme”
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe France | Southern Rhône
2022 Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge “Contre Couleur”
Domaine Gramenon France | Southern Rhône
2023 Côtes-du-Rhône “La Sagesse”
Domaine Gramenon France | Southern Rhône
2024 Tavel “La Combe des Rieu”
La Combe des Rieu France | Southern Rhône
2023 Vacqueyras Blanc “Un Sang Blanc”
Domaine Le Sang des Cailloux France | Southern Rhône
Clairette de Die “Tradition”
Domaine Achard-Vincent France | Southern Rhône
2023 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “La Crau”
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe France | Southern Rhône
2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “La Crau” HALF BOTTLE
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe France | Southern Rhône
2024 Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge “Il Fait Soif”
Maxime-François Laurent France | Southern Rhône
2024 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc “La Crau”
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe France | Southern Rhône
2024 Gigondas
Domaine de Durban France | Southern Rhône
2023 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “Piedlong”
Famille Brunier France | Southern Rhône
2023 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “Télégramme”
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe France | Southern Rhône
2022 Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge “Contre Couleur”
Domaine Gramenon France | Southern Rhône
2023 Côtes-du-Rhône “La Sagesse”
Domaine Gramenon France | Southern Rhône
2024 Tavel “La Combe des Rieu”
La Combe des Rieu France | Southern Rhône
2023 Vacqueyras Blanc “Un Sang Blanc”
Domaine Le Sang des Cailloux France | Southern Rhône
Clairette de Die “Tradition”
Domaine Achard-Vincent France | Southern Rhône
2023 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “La Crau”
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe France | Southern Rhône
2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “La Crau” HALF BOTTLE
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe France | Southern Rhône
2024 Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge “Il Fait Soif”
Maxime-François Laurent France | Southern Rhône
2024 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc “La Crau”
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe France | Southern Rhône
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
I want you to realize once and for all: Even the winemaker does not know what aging is going to do to a new vintage; Robert Parker does not know; I do not know. We all make educated (hopefully) guesses about what the future will bring, but guesses they are. And one of the pleasures of a wine cellar is the opportunity it provides for you to witness the evolution of your various selections. Living wines have ups and downs just as people do, periods of glory and dog days, too. If wine did not remind me of real life, I would not care about it so much.
Inspiring Thirst, page 171