Grand Cru Tasting Group (Perth W.A.) – Cotes Du Rhone Wines - 17 September 2025

[Waiters Friend]

G’day

A small group of us assembled at the wonderful Lulu’s Little Bistro for our monthly themed tasting. This month, the theme was wines from France’s Cotes Du Rhone.

We tasted 10 wines in total – 4 whites and 6 reds. The notes below are mostly a composite of the group’s comments, and not purely my own (Disclaimer over). We tasted blind, from youngest to oldest within each colour category.

Cros Des Calades Ballon Blanc 2023: A blend of grenache blanc, chardonnay and rolle. Medium yellow in colour. There’s a touch of apricot on the perfumed nose, followed by red apple (pie), lime and one taster noted ‘beach sand’. The palate is certainly saline, with soft quince, grapefruit and yellow fruits. There’s moderate acid, some palate texture and medium length. Well regarded by the group.

Maison Les Alexandrins Cotes Du Rhone 2023: Grenache blanc (70%), Viognier (20%) and the remainder Marsanne and Clairette. The nose (and, for that matter, the palate) shows mineral salts similar to hydrolytes in sports drinks. There’s some fairly delicate lime flavours as well. Moderate acid and slightly short finish.

Maison Delas Frere “Saint Esprit” Cotes Du Rhone 2023: Grenache blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc and Viognier. Honeysuckle, nectarine, tinned apricot and florals on the nose. More honeysuckle on the palate, with slight vanilla and citrus, and white peach skin. Soft acid and a slightly oily texture. Short and flabby.

Pierre et Jerome Coursodon “Etincelle” Roussanne Viognier 2022: A fragrant nose, with white flowers, apricot, lemon thyme and one taster noted daikon. The palate shows lime zest, macadamia and lemon infused olive oil. Acid is freshening, but not tart and there’s reasonable length. Well regarded by the group.

Then onto the reds:

Domaine Gramenon ‘La Sagesse’ Cotes Du Rhone 2023:100% Grenache. A somewhat complex nose with cola, tar, red cherry, black fruits, black pepper, rose petals and some earthiness. The palate is jubey and confected, with sarsaparilla, tar, black cherries, black pepper and a little tobacco. Medium to high acid, spiky tannins and a slightly short finish. Regardless, well regarded.

Domaine De Saint-Damien Gigondas 2022:80% Grenache 20% Shiraz: A fragrant nose, with red cherries, cola, cranberry, raspberry, caramel and baking spices. The cranberry and red cherries persist through the palate. It’s jubey and herbal with moderate acid and tannins and reasonable length.

Paul Jaboulet Aine Cotes Du Rhone 2022: Grenache Shiraz, Mourvedre, Marselan and Carignan. A confected nose with red cherries, black plums and berries, funghi, earthiness, caramel and dark chocolate. The palate has red and black cherries, choc/mint, with cedar and earthiness. Medium tannins and fine but prominent tannins. A dry finish with reasonable length.

Pierre Gaillard St Joseph 2021: Light and fruity nose, with cola, red cherries, cracked black pepper, oregano, black berries, some tar and tomato leaf on the nose. (Some of these were a little surprising in a 100% Syrah). The palate was also surprisingly fruity and soft, with sarsaparilla, red and black plums, and mulberries. Fine tannins, freshening acid and moderate length.

JJ Chave Selection “Mon Couer” Cotes Du Rhone 2020: Tar, black cherries and black berries, brambles, savoury notes, fruit cake and baking spices. The palate was slightly medicinal/ cough drops, with black plums, tar and earthiness. Fine velvety tannins, juicy acid and reasonable length. Well regarded by the group.

Ferraton Pere e Fils “La Source” St Joseph 2016: A smoky nose, with tar, black fruits, earthiness, prosciutto, cranberry and a touch of barnyard. More tar on the palate, with dark and red fruits, white pepper and some savouriness. Acid was described as mouthwatering, and the tannins are grippy. Some texture on the palate as well. Long finish, and starting to show development.

A fascinating tasting which demonstrated at least some of the range of wines produced in the Rhone Valley. It also had a balanced mix of north and southern Rhone, as well as reds and whites. Many thanks to the team at Lulu’s, and to those who were present and contributed to these notes.

Cheers
Allan