£25.08
SM allies the best of Northern and Southern Rhone blend in an unreverencious but outstanding blend of:
S – Septentrional : 50% Old vines of Syrah (60 years) from Northern Rhône Valley – 2015 vintage.
M – Méridional : 50% of Grenache (more than 80 years) from Southern Rhône Valley – 2016 vintage.
A blend of 50% Syrah from the Northern Rhône with 50% Grenache from the Southern Rhône, the NV Vin de France SM Second Edition is a fascinating wine, combining smoky, peppery, herbal notes with ripe black cherries. Full-bodied, plush and velvety, Vignon allows that it’s “more 2016 than 2015” in style, but no matter how you characterize it, it’s a lovely, complex wine for drinking over the next 6-7 years.
93/100 Parker
94/100 Dunnuck
Divided into two distinct regions 50 kilometres apart, the Rhone Valley starts just below Burgundy and continues directly south towards Avignon.
The Northern Valley is more moderate and continental in climate, producing structured and poised red wines from the Syrah grape variety and floral, full bodied whites from Viognier, Marsanne and Rousanne. The famous red wines from this region, such as Cote Rotie and Hermitage, have huge potential to age, developing notes of earth and mushroom.
Traversing down to the hot and mediterranean climate of the Southern Rhone means sun-loving grapes such as Grenache, Mourvedre and Cinsault can take pride of place.
Depending on the blend, the red wines can be light and fruity, especially from larger regions such as Cotes du Rhone, whilst the smaller appellations of Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas usually produce full bodied, concentrated and powerful expressions. White wines also exist in the Southern Valley, and are tragically overlooked because of the many iconic red wines produced in the area. These whites are for those in the know, with most displaying fleshy, tropical fruit flavours and a hint of white pepper spice.
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