The Rhône region shares many similarities with the Cape, and an excellent price-to-quality ratio is one of them. Today we focus on three red blends from famed family-run producers that will enchant and make you reach for more.
The Chapoutier family’s Bila-Haut Rouge 2022 from the Roussillon – a blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan – will ‘compete with wines two to three times its price’, says Jeb Dunnuck. A perennial overachiever, Pesquié’s Terrases Ventoux Rouge 2022 is a Grenache-Syrah blend, aged mainly in concrete and steel. Full of red fruit and velvety tannins, it’s ‘just delicious’ (Wine Advocate).
Not all Côtes-du-Rhône reds are created equal, and Roger Perrin’s Grenache-led 2023 Côtes-du-Rhône Fruité sits comfortably amongst the very best. Brambly with wild strawberries, nutmeg and cumin spice, it shows classical garrigue notes on the palate with medium-bodied fruit, a velvety feel and bone-dry, almost chalky tannins.
All three families work their vineyards organically and biodynamically. Across the board, the average vine age is 40 years+, with a few circling a century.
Pepper, spice and all things at a nice price – these are wines to stock up on by the caseload!
