Espigouette Côtes du Rhône Vieilles Vignes, 2022

An old-vine Côtes du Rhône from Espigouette

If you like wines with warm spicy fruit and the classic structure of the Old World while avoiding the heavy-hitting price tag of a Big Name Region, then the Southern Rhône pretty much ticks all boxes.

It is a large and diverse wine-producing area, producing wines of all colours; wine-making here dates back 2,000 years and there are over 5,000 winemakers and merchants.

The valley has had a turbulent geological past, typical for riverscapes, creating steep slopes, rolling hillsides and a huge variety of different soil types. It is theses varied soils, aspects and slopes that bring variety and interest to the wines of the region. The southerly climate with high levels of sunshine brings ripeness, body and darker fruit flavours.

The reds are usually a blend of Grenache for vibrancy with Syrah for colour, tannins and dark, spicy fruit as well as Mourvèdre which likes the heat and provides flavours of wild game, earthiness and red fruits.

Rocky and dramatic with a continental climate, the southern Rhône is one of my favourite wine areas: if you have ever been there in summer, the name alone can be enough to evoke lavender-scented fields at the foot of the Alps. Its wines balance a southern warmth and substance with complexity and a fresh food-friendliness.

About Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC

Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC are two significant appellations within the Rhône Valley wine region of France, renowned for their diverse and high-quality wines.

Côtes du Rhône AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) is one of the largest and most renowned appellations in France, covering vast vineyard areas along the Rhône River. It encompasses both the Northern and Southern Rhône regions, allowing for a wide range of grape varieties and wine styles.

Produced in 172 communes on rich and varied terroirs, regional Côtes du Rhône is notable for its diversity, its character and a blend that guarantees a quality wine.

Espigouette Côtes du Rhône Vieilles Vignes, 2022 (£14.95, Jaded Palates, Perfect Cellar, Shaftsbury Wines, St Andrew’s Wine)

They say:

This is a first class Côtes du Rhône, balanced, full flavoured and rich yet traditionally made from Domaine L’Espigouette where the some of the vines used for this Vieilles Vignes Cuvée are over 80 years of age.

Predominantly Grenache (70%), and the rest being Syrah, Mouvedre, Cinsault and Carignan, the wine is aged for 12 months in concrete vats to produce a delicious, full-flavoured, old-fashioned, rich and spicy wine.

When stirred, candied cherries, morello cherries and raspberry cream make the wine very attractive. The mouth does not disappoint, it is supple and delicious. It’s a nice continuity with the nose. We note a lot of sweetness, roundness without any aggressiveness despite the presence of pretty tannins, well controlled. Good length. A delicious and highly recommended Côtes du Rhône from the Old Vines of Espigouette.

I say:

Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Cinsault blend

14%

bright, translucent ruby; dark plum, black cherry, with and blackberry fruit, cool mint, woodsy undergrowth and complex spices; fresh, inky and supple with polished tannins, black cherries and black olives, mint and tobacco, violets, spicy cloves and liquorice; plush and generous with good savoury underpinnings

Very Good.

Drinks nicely on first opening, improves with aeration and will repay some cellaring.

Match with red meats, such as peppered steak, roasted venison or rosemary and garlic lamb.