Luc Baudet Cotes du Rhone Rive Droite Red 2018 - Rhone, France

90/100 Jeb Dunnuck

The Winemaker “One of the finest expressions of Grenache in the region. Notes of red fruits jam, and flower petals, with a touch of sweet cherry. A full volume on the palate, and a soft finish.”

Luc Baudet, renowned winemaker and oenologue from Costières de Nîmes, lauched this new range of wines in 2016. After putting Château Mas Neuf on the wine map as one of the very best Costières de Nîmes, Luc Baudet decided to start a new challenge. When he sold Château Mas Neuf, he kept 7 hectares of the most promising terroir of the estate, and named it "Le Clos des Centenaires", it is at the heart of Luc's new adventure, who also collaborates with winemakers of other appellations to create a range of signature wines.

The Rhone Valley is one of France's key wine regions and is divided neatly by a gap of about 25 miles (40km). Wines from the northern part of the valley tend to be Syrah-dominant (Hermitage and Cote Rotie being the most notable examples), white wines from the southern Rhone are more commonly blends, with Grenache playing a more dominant role. Chateauneuf-du-Pape is the most famous example of a southern Rhone blend, but similar blends are found in wines from Gigondas, Vacqueyras and the regional Cotes du Rhone title.

Grenache is responsible for some of the most expensive wine in the world From regions like Châteauneuf-du-Pape to cult California wines, Grenache is just as important in the wine world as Cabernet Sauvignon. The Southern Rhône region in France is known for Grenache-based wines. The region’s wine varies year-to-year based on the vintage variation. Along with cherry fruit expect more smoky herbal notes including oregano, lavender, and tobacco.