Red Wine

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 2017 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.

We only have a couple of dozen bottles in total!

Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape ‘Les Olivets’ 2017

Rhône Blend | Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf du Pape

“A straight-up fruit bomb, it has full-bodied richness, beautiful purity, and tons of charm. I'm impressed – Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to taste any 2018s from this estate but, unquestionably, their 2017s are some of the wines of the vintage. Now - 2029” Jeb Dunnuck  
$87
$83ea in any 3+
$79ea in any 6+

Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape ‘Réserve’ 2017

Rhône Blend | Châteauneuf du Pape, France

“The 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Reserve is largely in the same ballpark [as the Prestige] and has terrific notes of blackberries, smoked earth, garrigue, and pepper. It’s based on 80% Grenache and 10% Syrah and Mourvèdre brought up in foudre and cuve tronconique tanks. More concentrated as well as focused, it's medium to full-bodied, has brilliant concentration, ripe, present tannins, and a great finish. It's another awesome wine from this estate.” Jeb Dunnuck  
$103
$98ea in any 3+
$93ea in any 6+

Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape ‘Cuvée Prestige’ 2017

Rhône Blend | Châteauneuf du Pape, France

“Including more Syrah, the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Prestige is 70% Grenache 20% Mourvèdre, and the rest Mourvèdre and other permitted varieties. While it’s brought up mostly in foudre, it has 10% in demi-muids and 30% in cuve tronconique. With thrilling purity of fruit, notes of black raspberries, blackberries, ground pepper, garrigue, and a distinct sense of minerality, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, ripe, sweet tannins, a beautifully opulent texture, and a great fini
$150
$143ea in any 3+
$136ea in any 6+

Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape ‘Le Secret des Sabon’ 2017

Rhône Blend | Châteauneuf du Pape, France

“On another level, the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Le Secret Des Sabon is stacked and packed and ranks with the top 2-3 wines in this great vintage. A huge nose of blackcurrants, melted licorice, graphite, garrigue and pepper gives way to an uber-full-bodied, concentrated, massively endowed wine that has an insane level of opulence and decadent, sweet tannins, and a huge finish. This is a tour de force in wine that readers need to taste to believe. Given its wealth of fruit and texture, it’s a
$495
$480ea in any 3+
$465ea in any 6+

“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


Domaine de la Mordorée's Southern Rhône Gems


Restrained, Seamless, Thirst Quenching & Packed Full of Flavour!

Every wine I’ve tried from the Domaine has had that something special that makes the difference between just a beverage and real wine.

Two Stunning Rosé Wines

Proper Rosé with flavour & texture. These two smoke the ocean of dilute, swill coming out of Provence for twice the price!


The Beginning

Great refreshing red. Light on foot it packs plenty of flavour into a thirst-quenching drink. Great refreshing red. Light on foot it packs plenty of flavour into a thirst-quenching drink. Crunchy fruit and fine acid match red fruits a little spice and flowers. So easy to devour, perfect as the weather warms. 50% Grenache 50% Syrah. Made from 40 year old vines this is 100% tank fermented.
$48
$46ea in any 3+
$44ea in any 6+

Stepping it Up!

F*@#ing excellent! Vibrant fresh, energetic, wonderful wine. Poised and balanced. There’s a seamless harmony about this wine that takes me to a happy place! F*@#ing excellent! Vibrant fresh, energetic, wonderful wine. Poised and balanced. Excellent tannins, dusty and of quality, layered. Lovely drive of fruit. Got this tricky dark, brooding undertone with energetic layer on top. Excellent complexity. There's a seamless harmony about this wine that takes me to a happy place! True to form for
$72
$69ea in any 3+
$66ea in any 6+
From all accounts this is something special. Given the calibre of the rest of the wines in the line up I don't doubt it for a second! “The saturated purple-hued 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée De La Reine Des Bois is another brilliant wine from this estate. Made from 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, and 5% Syrah and Vaccarèse (as well as a few other varieties) brought up in 80% stainless steel and 20% old barrels, it offers an extraordinary bouquet of blackcurrants, chocolaty herbs, ground pepp
$162
$155ea in any 3+
$148ea in any 6+

JL Chave's Hermitage


Filters & Sorting

Showing 22 Delicious Wines!

Great refreshing red. Light on foot it packs plenty of flavour into a thirst-quenching drink. Great refreshing red. Light on foot it packs plenty of flavour into a thirst-quenching drink. Crunchy fruit and fine acid match red fruits a little spice and flowers. So easy to devour, perfect as the weather warms. 50% Grenache 50% Syrah. Made from 40 year old vines this is 100% tank fermented.
$48
$46ea in any 3+
$44ea in any 6+
F*@#ing excellent! Vibrant fresh, energetic, wonderful wine. Poised and balanced. There’s a seamless harmony about this wine that takes me to a happy place! F*@#ing excellent! Vibrant fresh, energetic, wonderful wine. Poised and balanced. Excellent tannins, dusty and of quality, layered. Lovely drive of fruit. Got this tricky dark, brooding undertone with energetic layer on top. Excellent complexity. There's a seamless harmony about this wine that takes me to a happy place! True to form for
$72
$69ea in any 3+
$66ea in any 6+

Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape ‘Les Olivets’ 2017

Rhône Blend | Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf du Pape

“A straight-up fruit bomb, it has full-bodied richness, beautiful purity, and tons of charm. I'm impressed – Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to taste any 2018s from this estate but, unquestionably, their 2017s are some of the wines of the vintage. Now - 2029” Jeb Dunnuck  
$87
$83ea in any 3+
$79ea in any 6+
“Dark Ruby. Fresh cherry, dark berries, pungent flowers and hints of musky earth and garrigue on the fragrant nose. Pliant and expansive on the palate, offering juicy red and dark berry, candied violet and baking spice flavors and a hint of mocha that adds appealing sweetness. Finishes long and gently chewy, with well-knit tannins and lingering spiciness.” Josh Raynolds, Vinous 92 Points, WS 93  
$90
$86ea in any 3+
$82ea in any 6+

Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape ‘Réserve’ 2017

Rhône Blend | Châteauneuf du Pape, France

“The 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Reserve is largely in the same ballpark [as the Prestige] and has terrific notes of blackberries, smoked earth, garrigue, and pepper. It’s based on 80% Grenache and 10% Syrah and Mourvèdre brought up in foudre and cuve tronconique tanks. More concentrated as well as focused, it's medium to full-bodied, has brilliant concentration, ripe, present tannins, and a great finish. It's another awesome wine from this estate.” Jeb Dunnuck  
$103
$98ea in any 3+
$93ea in any 6+

Alkina ‘Old Quarter’ Grenache Shiraz Mataro 2019

Rhône Blend | Barossa, Australia

The step up in sophistication from the Field blend is clear. There’s more composure. The line and length are on show. Harmony and shape to the palate. The finish here sees excellent persistence. This could easily give a quality CndP a run for it’s money. You can feel the energy. A very complete wine with a lot going on. The acid is finer, the palate together. The whole bunch tannins more elegant. This is a triumph. Coming back to this bottle after it had been open under Coravin for a coup
$105
$100ea in any 3+
$95ea in any 6+
“Gorgeous blackberry and morello cherry fruits as well as roasted herbs and licorice emerge from the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Réserve, a rich, full-bodied, downright decadent 2019 with sweet tannins and a broad, expansive mouthfeel. It has plenty of up-front appeal with its fruit yet has a solid spine of tannins that are going to keep it drinking nicely for 15-20 years.”  Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points, JC 94  
$109
$104ea in any 3+
$99ea in any 6+

Moulin de la Gardette ‘Tradition’ 2018

Rhône Blend | Gigondas, France

Jean-Baptiste Meunier's Gigondas wines, from the land where Grenache is King, have an intensity and flavour that are distinctly their own. Moulin de la Gardette sits firmly in Gigondas' 1st Division. This is very very good. It has presence with sophistication, the core of fruit is superb. Of depth and length. Incredibly silky tannins caress. Bright energetic fruit, strawberries & red fruits, slate, earth baking spice, darkness, anise, pops of bubble gum over rhubarb, a little orange and m
$110
$105ea in any 3+
$100ea in any 6+

Moulin de la Gardette ‘Tradition’ 2019

Rhône Blend | Gigondas, France

Jean-Baptiste Meunier's Gigondas wines, from the land where Grenache is King, have an intensity and flavour that are distinctly their own. Moulin de la Gardette sits firmly in Gigondas' 1st Division. Seriously good. So pure, precise and energetic. Incredible tannins, fine silky mouth coating, the shape so poised and long. Again the counterplay of red energy with darkness. More baked rhubarb, delicacy in the baking spice, harmony here. A little woody herb. These are wines of presence. Oh so so
$110
$105ea in any 3+
$100ea in any 6+

Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape ‘Cuvée Prestige’ 2017

Rhône Blend | Châteauneuf du Pape, France

“Including more Syrah, the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Prestige is 70% Grenache 20% Mourvèdre, and the rest Mourvèdre and other permitted varieties. While it’s brought up mostly in foudre, it has 10% in demi-muids and 30% in cuve tronconique. With thrilling purity of fruit, notes of black raspberries, blackberries, ground pepper, garrigue, and a distinct sense of minerality, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, ripe, sweet tannins, a beautifully opulent texture, and a great fini
$150
$143ea in any 3+
$136ea in any 6+

Moulin de la Gardette ‘Ventabren’ 2018

Rhône Blend | Southern Rhône, France

Jean-Baptiste Meunier's Gigondas wines, from the land where Grenache is King, have an intensity and flavour that are distinctly their own. Moulin de la Gardette sits firmly in Gigondas' 1st Division. An extra layer of flavour & complexity over the 'Tradition'. The 18’s are bolder, darker than the 19's. A little fruit cake here, not at all jammy, five spice, tobacco, flowers, progressing well past bubble gum to a more sophisticated blackberry fruit. Excellent tannins with depth. Persiste
$154
$147ea in any 3+
$140ea in any 6+

Moulin de la Gardette ‘Ventabren’ 2019

Rhône Blend | Southern Rhône, France

Jean-Baptiste Meunier's Gigondas wines, from the land where Grenache is King, have an intensity and flavour that are distinctly their own. Moulin de la Gardette sits firmly in Gigondas' 1st Division. The sophistication and elegance here shows lovely line of acid, poached quince, baked rhubarb, fresh ripe mulberry, spice and delicacy. Seamless, dancing across your tongue with twirls of complexity. Superbly dialed in. All the element sitting in balanace. Entrancing, intoxicating and divine. Suc
$154
$147ea in any 3+
$140ea in any 6+

Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape ‘Cuvée Prestige’ 2019

Rhône Blend | Châteauneuf du Pape, France

“One of the top vintages for this cuvée, the 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Prestige features intense aromas of black cherries and purple raspberries, without the dark chocolate nuances that appear in the other 2019s at this address. It's full-bodied, dense and concentrated, big but also silky and fine, with a long, elegant finish. It's a Grenache-led assemblage of lots from the lieux-dits of les Brusquières and Cabrières. Technical director Didier Negron is refreshingly candid when speaking abou
$160
$153ea in any 3+
$146ea in any 6+
From all accounts this is something special. Given the calibre of the rest of the wines in the line up I don't doubt it for a second! “The saturated purple-hued 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée De La Reine Des Bois is another brilliant wine from this estate. Made from 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, and 5% Syrah and Vaccarèse (as well as a few other varieties) brought up in 80% stainless steel and 20% old barrels, it offers an extraordinary bouquet of blackcurrants, chocolaty herbs, ground pepp
$162
$155ea in any 3+
$148ea in any 6+

Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-Du-Pape 2019

Rhône Blend | Châteauneuf du Pape, France

"Powerful, mineral-accented cherry, blackberry, licorice and -garrigue- scents, along with a hint of candied flowers. Deep, penetrating and alluringly sweet, offering cherry liqueur, dark berry, lavender, exotic spice and cola flavors that are given spine by a core of juicy acidity. In a concentrated yet lively, fluid style. Finishes extremely long and precise, with building tannins and a powerful echo of spiciness and florality. (10/2021)" Josh Raynolds, Vinous
$278
$268ea in any 3+
$258ea in any 6+

Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2020

Rhône Blend | Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf du Pape

"A blend of 55% Grenache, 35% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah and other permitted varieties, the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape looked exceptional on this day, offering up scents of framboise and kirsch alongside dried flowers and Asian spices. Full-bodied yet weightless, silky and long, this is special stuff, complex and balanced. "The phenolic maturity is there, the sugars are there," Avril said. "No, it won't be like 2019, but I think we will come in around 14.5–15 degrees [of alcohol]. I think, I don'
$310
$300ea in any 3+
$290ea in any 6+