Rhône Blend
The Southern Rhône is home to the Rhône Blend, where Grenache, Mourvèdre, and, Syrah come together.
In addition, Carignan, Cinsault, Counoise and a dozen other varieties come together to make superb Rhône Blend. In Châteauneuf-du-Papes 18 varieties can be blended into their wines, 9 red and 9 white.
Both red and white varieties can be blended to make red Rhône Blends.
Look out for the regions of Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Rasteau, as well as the generically labelled, Côtes du Rhône, which can offer incredible value.
The Main Varieties
Grenache tends to be the dominant variety with the majority of the vineyard plantings in the Southern Rhône. It offers spice, perfume, and, juby, fruit. 100% Grenache wine can have an incredible delicacy and appear almost as elegant as the best red Burgundy.
Shiraz offers the blends opulence and generous fruit with its supple tannins.
Mouvèdre AKA Mataro gives structure, backbone, spice and earthiness to the blends.
The diversity of regions and varieties sprawling over such a large area yields an equal diversity of blends and styles.
Guigal’s Côtes du Rhône, a blend of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre is one of the best known, best value Rhône Blends using fruit from a number of regions.
Château de Beaucastel, from is famous for consistently using all the permitted varieties in its top wine each year.
Château Rayas is 100% Grenache.
Rhône Blends from other parts of the world
Rhône Blends have been common throughout Australia, particularly the Barossa, and, have made a real come back over the last couple of decades. Century old vines of many of the varieties offering quality fruit for makers.
Australian winemakers have commonly blended Cabernet with Shiraz balancing the structure of Cabernet with the opulence of Shiraz.
In Priorat blends of Grenache (AKA Garnacha or Garnatxa) and Carignan (AKA Cariñena) are common.
Domaine Roger Sabon's 2016 Châteauneuf's
Pure, Rich, Silky and Beautifully Balanced!
When I’m tasting Châteauneuf-du-Papes I’m always looking for freshness, or, perhaps, better put, wines that show no sign of being cooked or using raisined, jammy fruit. I want to see the fruit, harmony, balance, particularly in a region where potential alcohols can rocket up very quickly in the vineyard. Finally, in a region that has been prone to Brett, I want clean wines.
Sabon is ticking the boxes. I had the 2016 Reservée over a couple of nights and it’s brooding, and, dark, the palate has excellent flow and fine texture. I can see it developing beautifully as a little of the youthful puppy fat drops off and gives us a wine of increasing transparency. By all accounts with a much higher percentage of Grenache, as you move up to the ‘Secret’ you get a wine of increased elegance.
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$77ea in any 3+, $72ea in any 6+ $82.00 More InfoSabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape ‘Les Olivets’ 2016
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$89ea in any 3+, $85ea in any 6+ $93.00 More InfoSabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape ‘Réserve’ 2016
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$137ea in any 3+, $130ea in any 6+ $144.00 More InfoSabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape ‘Cuvée Prestige’ 2016
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$400ea in any 3+, $385ea in any 6+ $415.00 More InfoSabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape ‘Le Secret des Sabon’ 2016
“I continue to love the wines from Didier Negron at Roger Sabon, yet I always feel they’re underappreciated in the market. While they can certainly be big, rich wines (especially the Secret des Sabon), these are always classic, elegant wines that have beautiful Provençal charm. There are four Châteauneuf-du-Pape releases: the entry level Les Olivets (first made in 1955) from younger vines and completely destemmed; the Cuvée Reserve from a single vineyard and 70-80% Grenache, and the rest Syrah and Mourvèdre, aged in foudre and oak tanks; the Cuvée Prestige based on 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and the rest mostly Mourvèdre that’s aged in foudre, oak tanks, and demi-muids; and the smallest production cuvée (there’s normally just 100 cases produced), the Le Secret des Sabon based mostly on Grenache.”
Jeb Dunnuck
JL Chave's Hermitage
Showing all 12 results
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Last Few!
Insane perfume, spice, juicy core of fruit, perfectly executed élévage = a supple, delicous Grenache of great harmony & complexity!
Exceptional Grenache$78ea in any 3+, $74ea in any 6+ $82.00 More InfoDomaine Charvin Côtes du Rhône ‘Le Poutet’ MAGNUM 2016
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$77ea in any 3+, $72ea in any 6+ $82.00 More Info
Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape ‘Les Olivets’ 2016
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VIDEO INSIDE
As I researched this wine the texture they achieved made sense! $600K sorting kit does make a difference!
Includes Cellar Release Back to 1964!!$84ea in any 3+, $80ea in any 6+ $88.00 More InfoChâteau Mont-Redon Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2016
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$89ea in any 3+, $85ea in any 6+ $93.00 More Info
Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape ‘Réserve’ 2016
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VIDEO INSIDE
As I researched this wine the texture they achieved made sense! $600K sorting kit does make a difference!
$100ea in any 3+, $95ea in any 6+ $105.00 More InfoChâteau Mont-Redon Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2017
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video inside
Incredibly sophisticated, the sensuality of the wine is insane. If you like quality Shiraz and feel like something different TRY THIS!
Stunning Châteauneuf$113 for 3+, $106 for 6+ $120.00 More InfoDomaine Charvin Châteauneuf du Pape 2014
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$119ea in any 3+, $114ea in any 6+ $124.00 More InfoChâteau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-Du-Pape HALF BOTTLE 2017
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$137ea in any 3+, $130ea in any 6+ $144.00 More Info
Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape ‘Cuvée Prestige’ 2016
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$235ea in any 3+, $225ea in any 6+ $245.00 More Info
Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-Du-Pape 2017
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$400ea in any 3+, $385ea in any 6+ $415.00 More Info
Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape ‘Le Secret des Sabon’ 2016
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$209ea in any 3+, $199ea in any 6+ $470.00 More Info
Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-Du-Pape MAGNUM 2017
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The Very Pinnacle of Châteauneuf-Du-Pape!
$1,230.00 More InfoChâteau de Beaucastel ‘Hommage à Jacques Perrin’ Châteauneuf-Du-Pape 2017