2020 Domaine de Marcoux Côtes du Rhône

Domaine de Marcoux traces its history to the 14th century, when the records in Avignon show that the Armenier family was already in the area. Today the 53-acre estate in the Chateauneuf-du-Pape appellation of the Rhone Valley is still owned and operated by the Armenier family. Philippe Armenier has been in charge for several decades and for nearly 30 years the winery has been “biodynamic,” the French approach to organic viticulture. Many of the estate’s parcels have very old vines, some more than 90 years old. Domaine de Marcoux makes red and white Chateauneuf-du-Papes, and Robert M. Parker Jr. calls them “some of the most compelling wines in the region.” The red is a blend of 80% Grenache, 5% Cinsault, 5% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre, and 5% other varietals. Parker notes that the white is one of the “finest whites of the appellation.”

The Southern Rhône Valley wine region extends from Orange in the north through the communes Lirac and Tavel in the southwest. The French call the region Côtes du Rhône Méridionales and it includes some of the best known appellations in France, such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas. The climate and landscape of the Southern Rhone differ significantly from the Northern Rhone. There are hot, often windy Mediterranean appellations near Nimes and the south, and higher altitude, relatively cool appellations such as Côtes du Ventoux to the east. Understanding the region can be confusing given that there are thirteen appellations and sixteen red and white grapes allowed for wines with appellation status. Syrah is grown here, but it is much less important than in the north. Grenache is the prominent red grape, though most red wines are blends of at least four varietals. Other commonly used red grapes are Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Muscardin. Counoise, Terret Noir, Vaccarèse and Syrah are also permitted. The primary white grapes are Grenache Blanc, Clairette and Bourboulenc, though Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne are permitted, as are Picpoul and Picardin. Of note is the Côtes du Rhone Villages AOC, which is only in the Southern Rhone. Though Côtes du Rhône AOC wine is made in both the north and south, the Villages appellation has stricter requirements for winemaking and is generally considered higher quality than simple Côtes du Rhône. Robert M. Parker Jr. has written that “There is a vast amount of enjoyment to be discovered in the southern Rhône…for these are some of the most sumptuous and pleasure-giving wines produced in the world.”