From Rhone With Love
Today, we’re thrilled to revisit a place very close to our hearts: the Southern Rhône. This region has captivated us for over thirty years, and our passion for wandering its landscapes and exploring its offerings remains undiminished.
We’re excited to share with you a couple of our favourite Côtes du Rhône wines, which are hitting their peak: currently showcasing their full potential and are truly delicious and welcome additions to what remains of our summer. For September, we are offering these at a special case of six price.
First up, we have a delicious old vine CDR from Domaine Clos du Mont Olviet: which has been one of not only Chateauneuf’s, but the Southern Rhone’s, premier estates for many generations: run today by the fantastic, brother-sister triumvirate of Thierry, David and Celine Sabon. Next up, we have the delightful 2016 ‘Lou Cambou’ from successful Belgian businessman turned winemaker extraordinaire, Gerard Constant of Domaine Constant Duquesnoy. One of the finest producers in Vinsobres and Cairanne around today, Gerard’s wines are full bodied and complex, with superb concentration of fruit and a stylish minerality.
These gems from some of the most exciting domaines in the Southern Rhone today offer truly excellent value for money, with a delicious depth of fruit for hearty dishes on cooler days, but possessing lovely purity and freshness to enjoy in the sun, for some fine dining ‘Al Fresco’. When our wonderful ‘Summer’ sun decides to grace us with its presence.
From Rhone With Love - Two Bottle Pairing
This contains 1x each of the following wines:
The 2021 Cotes du Rhone VV from Mont Olivet
First up, we have a delicious old vine CDR from Domaine Clos du Mont Olviet: which has been one of not only Chateauneuf’s, but the Southern Rhone’s, premier estates for many generations: run today by the fantastic, brother-sister triumvirate of Thierry, David and Celine Sabon.
The 2021 Vielles Vignes is a delicious and serious Côtes du Rhône, from rich sandy and quartz soils from the ‘Sainte Cardille’ Lieu-dit in Orange, just north of Chateauneuf. Made from 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 10% Mouvedre and produced from 40–70-year-old vines this wonderful little cuvée shows a refined depth and complexity which could rival many top crus.
It opens on the nose with a beautifully pure and fragrant bouquet of cherries and blackberries, accompanied by subtle notes of garrigue. The palate that follows is wonderfully intense and with rich raspberry and cherry fruit, alongside attractive notes of pepper and spice. However, it is not heavy at all, with lively harmony and balance. It is round and silky with real finesse, very fine tannins and great length.
The 2016 Cotes du Rhone ‘Lou Cambou’ from Constant Duquesnoy
Next up, we have the delightful 2016 ‘Lou Cambou’ from successful Belgian businessman turned winemaker extraordinaire, Gerard Constant of Domaine Constant Duquesnoy. One of the finest producers in Vinsobres and Cairanne around today, Gerard’s wines are full bodied and complex, with superb concentration of fruit and a stylish minerality.
His 2016 Lou Cambou is a blend of 40% Syrah and 60% Grenache, from vines avergaing 40 years of age located at the bottom of the slopes below Vinsobres, on limestone soils. This is a beautifully intense garnet colour in the glass and opens with a wonderfully pure and fragrant bouquet on the nose. A delicious mix of pomegranate, strawberry jam, ripe berries (blackberries/mulberries), pepper, liquorice and cloves with notes of pepper and some cloves in the background.
There is great depth on the palate, with glorious, ripe, pure, fresh black and red berry fruit, lovely minerality, melted tannins and a great harmony between fruits and spices. Having had a few years in the cellar this wine is hitting it’s prime as of 2024. The tannins are wonderfully softened and integrated and the palate is refined and elegant and the finish is exquisite. Fabulous!
From Rhone With Love - Six Bottle Mixed Case
This Mixed Case Contains 3x each of the following wines:
The 2021 Cotes du Rhone VV from Mont Olivet
The 2021 Vielles Vignes is a delicious and serious Côtes du Rhône, from rich sandy and quartz soils from the ‘Sainte Cardille’ Lieu-dit in Orange, just north of Chateauneuf. Made from 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 10% Mouvedre and produced from 40–70-year-old vines this wonderful little cuvée shows a refined depth and complexity which could rival many top crus.
It opens on the nose with a beautifully pure and fragrant bouquet of cherries and blackberries, accompanied by subtle notes of garrigue. The palate that follows is wonderfully intense and with rich raspberry and cherry fruit, alongside attractive notes of pepper and spice. However, it is not heavy at all, with lively harmony and balance. It is round and silky with real finesse, very fine tannins and great length.
2016 Cotes du Rhone ‘Lou Cambou’ from Constant Duquesnoy
The 2016 Lou Cambou is a blend of 40% Syrah and 60% Grenache, from vines avergaing 40 years of age located at the bottom of the slopes below Vinsobres, on limestone soils. This is a beautifully intense garnet colour in the glass and opens with a wonderfully pure and fragrant bouquet on the nose. A delicious mix of pomegranate, strawberry jam, ripe berries (blackberries/mulberries), pepper, liquorice and cloves with notes of pepper and some cloves in the background.
There is great depth on the palate, with glorious, ripe, pure, fresh black and red berry fruit, lovely minerality, melted tannins and a great harmony between fruits and spices. Having had a few years in the cellar this wine is hitting it’s prime as of 2024. The tannins are wonderfully softened and integrated and the palate is refined and elegant and the finish is exquisite. Fabulous!