Cotes du Rhone Lovers Unite! Not only is Solitude's 2021 Cotes du Rhone absolutely delicious, it also comes from one of the oldest and most trusted estates in Chateauneuf du Pape.
Even better, all of Solitude's vineyard holdings are within the Chateauneuf boundaries. For this wine, they use their younger vine material, and this classic Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre blend is as good as Cotes du Rhone gets.
A true "Baby Chateauneuf," this is one of the top Southern Rhone deals of the year.
2021 Domaine de la Solitude Cotes du Rhone Rouge
Produced entirely from Solitude's younger Chateauneuf vines!
ORDER NOW in our online store.
Domaine de la Solitude can trace its roots back to 1450! Many years and many vintages later, this iconic estate is still owned and operated by the same family that settled these wild lands nearly 600 years ago. As I said earlier, all of their vines are located within Chateauneuf du Pape, and you can definitely taste that pedigree here.
With all that time working the land, the grapes, and the varying conditions of the region, you would think the family knows what they're doing. I can assure you they do, and Solitude's most recent releases have been especially strong. In the 2021 vintage, their rocking-good Cotes du Rhone came in as a classic blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah, and 10% Mourvedre.
All of these grapes are grown in the classic, stony, limestone-clay soils of the region, and it's these well-drained soils that stress the vines and coax out intense aromas and flavors in the grapes. This smells a lot like Chateauneuf, with big aromas of dark raspberry, strawberry, white pepper, and Provencal herbs. Equally delightful on the palate, this is quite plump and full, round and open-knit. Pleasure-bent would be the term to sum this one up!
While not as big and structured as Solitude's Chateauneuf, it's not far off. If I lined up 4 Chateauneufs and this wine, you'd have a hard time picking which was which. Despite the climactic challenges presented by the '21 vintage, this is an especially strong effort, and I actually prefer it to the 2019.
ORDER NOW in our online store.
Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville