Domaine Roche Domaine Roche Côtes du Rhône 2021 750ml

Stacks of spice, dried Mediterranean herbs and a touch of leather on the nose. Bold, structured and lively, this is an impressive wine for the humble appellation. Long harmonious finish with good complexity. A cuvee of grenache, syrah and carignan from vines that are over 50-years-old. Drink or hold. (Stuart Pigott)

Domaine Roche’s 2019 Cotes du Rhone comes out of the bottle a bit rubbery and tarry, so give it a brief stint in a decanter before serving. Once it’s had some time, scents of black cherries and black olives emerge. Full-bodied, supple and generous, with ample concentration and attractive hints of licorice on the finish, this ripe, mouth-filling red should be a terrific value; the 2018 retails for well under $20.

Beautiful black raspberry, peppery herbs, earth, and some chocolate notes emerge from the 2019 Côtes du Rhône. A ripe, pure, beautifully balanced Cotes du Rhone, it has no hard edges and the class to drink nicely for 4–6 years. It’s well worth seeking out and would be one heck of a house red.

The 2021 Côtes Du Rhône looks to be well worth your time. Based on 50% Grenache and 25% each Syrah and Carignan, it has a darker, black, almost blue-fruited profile as well as pretty notes of violets and pepper, good mid-palate depth, ripe yet present tannins, and a good finish. It shows the fresher style of the vintage while still offering fruit and texture.