Country: France Region: Cotes du Rhone Varietal: Grenache (80%) / Syrah (10%) / Carignan (5%) / Mourvedre (5%) Vintage: 2018 Colour: Red Style: Dry Producer: Domaine de Griveliere Description: Cotes du Rhone is overpopulated with Thrush birds, or Grive in French, that devour the grapes in the vineyards when ripe. La Griveliere is a blend of native grapes cultivated in south-central France along the Rhone River. Well-balanced with aromas of red fruits and spices with mild hints of vanilla and earth. Rich, full-bodied and round in the mouth. The finish is long with mild tannins. Each varietal is fermented separately in concrete tanks, then aged in a combination of concrete and oak for 6 months, followed by 18 months in bottle. Tasting notes: Nose: Clean with low/medium intensity of raspberry and licorice. Palate: Dry, (with a slight sweet attack) with low tannins and medium-low acidity. The light to medium intensity of fruit characteristics are ripe red cherries (ripe red fruit). (I could be incorrect in stating that this is a similar profile to a Beaujolais although this wine is not made from the Gamay grape). No indication of alcohol burn (the alcohol level = 14.5%) indicating alcohol is well integrated into the wine. Finish: Clean, moderate length on the finish of the fruit ripe cherries. Food matching: Grilled Meat / White Meat / Pasta