La Solitude Cotes du Rhone Rouge 2022

red currant preserves, fresh blackberries, black licorice, black pepper and Herbs de Provence

The Lançon family have been producing wine in the Rhône Valley for 8 generations that stretches to the late 17th century. Their winery is located in La Crau, near Vieux Telegraph, Mont Olivet and Chateau La Nerthe. For their Châteauneuf-du-Pape bottlings they only use estate grapes from their nearly 100 acres of vineyards. For the Côtes du Rhônes they also have long term contracts with 5 nearby growers. You will notice that the Rosé carries the Demeter Certification designating biodynamic farming. The red is also farmed using biodynamic practices but one of the growers is not yet certified.

The Côtes du Rhône Rouge (CdR) is a great early example of how good the 2022 vintage is in this region. The blend is 45% Grenache, 45% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre, which is less Grenache than you typically see in this category. You will want to decant this wine for a half hour before serving and give it a slight chill. Then the nose is a surprisingly fresh mix of red currant preserves, fresh blackberries, black licorice, black pepper and Herbs de Provence. On the palate this wine is juicy and soft to start, then there is some tannin that builds nicely into the finish. Drink this in 2024 or 2025 with grilled skirt steaks, hoisin and soy glazed pork ribs or lamb and feta burgers.