Tasting notes, July 6, 2024; Rhone Varietals

                    Rhone Varietals

2023 Grand Veneur Cotes-du-Rhone Blanc
On Sale for $13.60
Southern Rhone Valley / France
50% Viognier, 30% Clairettte, 20% Roussanne
This Cotes-du-Rhone Blanc emanates from terraced vines planted in sand and clay. The wine is fermented and aged in stainless steel in order to maintain the vibrant aromatics present.
2021 Mas Doix
Murmuri

On Sale for $32
Priorato / Catalonia / Spain
90% Grenache Blanc, 10% Macabeo
Sourced from both hillside and valley vineyards, the Murmuri is the product of both slate and clay limestone soils. The wine is aged on its lees for three months in stainless steel tanks.
2023 Mesclances Saint Honorat
On Sale for $23.99
Provence / France
Grenache, Cinsault
Sourced from mid-slope vineyards planted to 35-year-old Grenache and Cinsault, the Saint Honorat receives just 8 hours contact with the skins in order to produce its decidedly pale hue.
2020 Natte Valleij Cinsault
On Sale for $17.60
Coastal Region / South Africa
100% Cinsault
Sourced from very old vines (50-140 years of age), the Natte Valleij Cinsault offers an expressive nose of fresh cut flowers, strawberry and cherry. The wine is fermented and aged in a combination of concrete and used oak.
2021 Altos de la Hoya Monastrell
On Sale for $15.20
Jumilla / Murcia / Spain
90% Monastrell, 10% Grenache
Created from hand harvested fruit from old vines, the Altos de la Hoya is fermented using only indigenous yeasts. The wine is then aged in a combination of large and small barrels, with an approach borrowed from the Bandol appellation of France. 
2020 La Roubine Vacqueyras Rouge
On Sale for $25.60
Vacqueyras / Southern Rhone Valley / France
70% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre, 15% Syrah
Aged in half concrete tank and half large oak barrels, the Roubine Vacqueyras is the product of 45-year-old vines planted in clay limestone. The wine is fermented using only natural yeasts.