Full Review

Pierre de Fontval

Pierre de Fontval
2020 Other Red, Beaumes De Venise Rouge

Pair this wine with:
Lamb Pork

Category: Rhône Red Côtes du Rhône

Date Tasted:
Country: France
Alcohol: 14.5% RS: .200%
91 Points
Gold Medal
Exceptional
$15.50
Best Buy

Pierre de Fontval
2020 Other Red, Beaumes De Venise Rouge

Pair this wine with:
Lamb Pork

Category: Rhône Red Côtes du Rhône

Date Tasted:
Country: France
Alcohol: 14.5% RS: .200%
Brick red color. Aromas and flavors of artisanal chocolate berry bar, craisins and goji berries, spicy tomato chutney, and floral tea with a satiny, bright, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a tingling, interesting, medium-long finish that shows notes of berries in cream and butter praline with well-integrated, fine tannins and light oak flavor. Super silky and tasty Grenache-led French red that glides across the palate with poise.

Tasting Info

Wine Glass Style: Fruity, Juicy & Smooth, Oaky & Old World
Aroma Aroma: artisanal chocolate berry bar, craisins and goji berries, spicy tomato chutney, and floral tea
Taste Flavor: Same as aromas with notes of berries in cream and butter praline
Sweetness Sweetness: Dry-yet-Fruity
Enjoy Enjoy: Now on its own and with food
Recipes Pairing: Peking Duck, Lamb Tagine, Souvlaki
Bottom Line Bottom Line: Super silky and tasty Grenache-led French red that glides across the palate with poise.

The Producer

Famille Ravoire

The Producer
340 Rue du Rémoulaire
Salon de Provence, 13653
France
33 -490737341

Their Portfolio

88 Chantrose 2021 Rosé, Côtes De Provence 13% (France) $16.00.
93 Costeval 2021 Rosé, Coteaux D’aix En Provence 12.5% (France) $15.00.
88 Cuvée Des Lices 2020 Côtes De Provence 12.5% (France) $15.00.
BR Domaine Du Grand Destré 2021 Rosé, Mediterranee IGP 12.5% (France) $12.00. - Bronze Medal
BR Esprit De Fanette 2020 Rosé, IGP Mediterranee 12.5% (France) $9.00. - Bronze Medal
88 Jardin Des Nautes 2021 Rosé, Luberon 13.5% (France) $10.00.
86 Jas Des Vignes 2021 Rosé, Alpes-De-Haute-Provence 12.5% (France) $9.00.
87 Les Hauts De Cairanne 2020 Other Red, Cairanne 15% (France) $15.50.
89 Maison Camille Blanc 2020 Vielles Vignes, Other Red, Côtes-Du-Rhône Rouge 14% (France) $14.99.
88 Maison Ravoire 2020 Plan De Dieu, Other Red, Côtes-Du-Rhône Villages Rouge 14% (France) $14.99.
85 Manon 2021 Rosé, Côtes De Provence 12.5% (France) $16.00.
BR Olivier Ravoire 2020 Banderet, Other Red, Côtes-Du-Rhône Rouge 14% (France) $14.99. - Bronze Medal
BR Olivier Ravoire 2021 Banderet, Other White, Côtes-Du-Rhône Blanc 13% (France) $14.99. - Bronze Medal
89 Perle De Valensole 2021 Rosé, Alpes-De-Haute-Provence 12.5% (France) $9.00.
87 Pierre de Fontval 2020 Other Red, Côtes-Du-Rhône Rouge 14% (France) $14.99.
86 Pierre de Fontval 2019 Vaison La Romaine, Other Red, Côtes-Du-Rhône Villages Rouge 14% (France) $15.50.
90 Pierre de Fontval 2020 Séguret, Other Red, Côtes-Du-Rhône Villages Rouge 15% (France) $15.50.
91 Pierre de Fontval 2020 Other Red, Beaumes De Venise Rouge 14.5% (France) $15.50.
90 Pierre de Fontval 2019 Other Red, Gigondas 14.5% (France) $32.99.
87 Rhone To The Bone 2020 Red Blend, Côtes-Du-Rhône Rouge 14% (France) $14.99.
85 Rhone To The Bone 2021 Rose, Côtes-Du-Rhone Rosé 12.5% (France) $14.99.
88 Terrasses De Fontanieu 2021 Rosé, Bandol 13% (France) $22.00.

Rhone Red Cotes du Rhone

Wine Glass Zinfandel.jpg
Serve in a Zinfandel Wine Glass
Côtes-du-Rhône is produced in red and white versions; the red being far more popular and better known. These are blends of several grapes, most often Grenache and Syrah with other varieties including Mourvedre and Carignan. Medium-bodied, they have red cherry and berry fruit, slight spice and woodsy flavors, good acidity and moderate tannins. These are made in a style to be consumed from three to seven years. although a few of the best can drink well for a decade.

Much like their red siblings, Côtes-du-Rhône whites are a great value, with many wines at or under $20 to be found. They must be made from at least 80% of the allowed Rhone white grapes: Clairette, Grenache blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Bourboulenc, and Viognier and make ideal summer quaffers.

White wines from this area can vary enormously in quality and typicity from thin and watery to juicy and ripe. The best producers, however, will make wines that are rich and ripe. Côtes-du-Rhône is almost always drinkable upon release and requires no further cellaring.