What I Learned

There are many wine appellations along or near the Rhone River, as it drains much of central and south -eastern France.

The title appellation, Grignan les Adhemar, was formerly known as Coteaux du Tricastin. But negative associations arising from the nearby Tricastin Nuclear Power Plant disaster in July 2008, resulted in the local vintners applying for an appellation name change. Thus, by late 2010, the appellation forming a triangle from Grignan in the east, and Saint Paul Trois Chateaux and Montelimar in the west became known as Grignan les Adhemar.

Within this roughly defined area, only some 21 communes, with only about 50 wine makers (domaines or cooperatives), produce less than 8 million bottles of appellation wine. Some of these communes lie close to the Rhone, or the canal, laid out along one of its old riverbeds. Others lie close to the first foothills of the southern Alps. The differences in proximity to the river, or elevation, ultimately create yet more diversity in the resulting wines.

This appellation is the start of the Southern Rhone wine area. It is where Syrah, well-known and esteemed in the Northern Rhone wine area, meets Grenache, a staple of the Southern Rhone wines. Throughout the area, wines are primarily a mix of these two, and/or Cinsault, Mourvedre and Carignan. About 75% of the wine produced here is red. The rose wines from the appellation may be of the same grapes. Then there are the white wines, which in addition to Roussanne and Marsanne, have Bourboulenc and Clairette, as well as Viognier, a varietal high in floral notes.

 

What I Tasted

2017 Le Rose de Grangeneuve, Appellation Grignan Les Adhemar Controlee, Domaine Bour (Roussas): A dry rose cuvee (mostly Grenache and Cinsault, and some Syrah) wine with medium plus salmon color, red berry and white flower nose, and spice, floral and fruity flavors, smooth, with a slightly tart, finish.

2017 Cuvee Laurine Blanc; Appellation Grignan Les Adhemar Controlee, Domaine Saint Luc (La Baume de Transit): A dry white wine cuvee (Viognier and Bourboulenc) with pale plus gold color; floral and ripe white stone fruit nose, with flavors of the same; Medium acidity.

2017 Secrets du Terroir, Appellation Grignan Les Adhemar Controlee, Domaine de Montine (Grignan): A dry red wine cuvee (50% each Syrah and Grenache) with medium garnet color; neutral nose, with slight spice and red berry flavors, medium plus tannins.

2016 Emotion, Appellation Grignan Les Adhemar Controlee, Domaine de Montine (Grignan): A dry red wine cuvee (50% each Syrah and Grenache) with dark minus garnet red color; nose of spice and tobacco, with vanilla, tobacco, and dark red berry flavor, with a hint of bitter chocolate; high minus tannins.

2015 Vieilles Vignes, Appellation Grignan Les Adhemar Controlee, Domaine de Grangeneuve (Roussas): A dry red wine with dark minus garnet color; a nose of tobacco and white flowers, with dark chocolate, dried cherry and floral flavors; High minus tannins.

2015 Seduction, Appellation Grignan Les Adhemar Controlee, Domaine de Montine (Grignan): A dry red wine cuvee (90% Syrah and 10% Viognier) with medium plus garnet color; a vanilla, oak, tobacco, and stewed prune flavors, medium plus tannins.