The Les Trois Couronnes (the 3 Crowns) Cotes-du-Rhone is 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah sourced from sustainably grown grapes in the south of the Rhone Valley, France. This is a negociant wine (the negociant is Cellier des Dauphins), they purchase excess wine from different producers and make their own less expensive bottling out of the excess wine. This is a fairly common practice in France and wines from many Negociant’s are sought after. The alcohol content is 13.5%.
The color is dark, shiny, raspberry jam red. The nose is cherry, curry spice, a touch of pepper and a few sprigs of mint. There is fresh, bright fruit upfront, cherries and raspberries and then the spice and pepper kicks in. The mid-palate mixes creamier, softer blueberry with astringent tea. The finish is blueberry and tea and is strong and fairly lengthy.
The Les Trois Couronnes Cotes du Rhone is a fun wine, a potpourri of contrasting flavors and textures, while selling for $11.99 @ Whole Foods. A taste of The Rhone Valley on the cheap, French Grenache and Syrah blend together well, they bring out the best of each other. Drink it on the back porch on a tuesday night and when friends stop by they will be impressed that you are rocking the Rhone on a school night.
