French wines from the Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages AOCs are here to show a new generation of drinkers just how delicious and versatile these appellations can be. I have a rosé and 2 red wines from these AOCs to review:
- Louis Bernard, Cotes du Rhone, Rosé, 2024
- Mas de Sainte Croix Tendresse d’un Climat, Cotes du Rhone Villages Valréas, 2022
- L’Amista Domaine des Garriguettes, Cotes du Rhone Villages Gadagne, 2023
The region, stretching 250 km along the Rhône River from north to south, is not a one style region. Cool breezes, sunny vineyards, rocky soils, rolling hills, “terroir”, shows up in the glass. From juicy, chillable reds to bold and structured bottles, from textured whites to vibrant, patio-ready rosés, Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages AOCs cover a wide range of drinkers’ preferences.
These AOCs show off their versatility through the grape blends that make up these wines.
Grenache brings generous fruits, while Syrah adds spice and edge. Mourvèdre adds depth. In white wines, Viognier brings aromatics, while Clairette, Roussanne, and Marsanne layer in freshness and texture. Together, these grapes create wines that are balanced, structured, and full of character. There is no single “Côtes du Rhône taste.” That’s the point. Each producer or négociant can have a different take on what the Côtes du Rhône can be. Many producers embrace environmental certifications like HVE, Organics, and Biodynamics, which is sought by many younger wine drinkers.
From casual burgers and pizza to vegan grilled veggies, lentil tacos, or Mediterranean bowls, there is a red Rhône blend for you. Seafood and spicy dishes are complemented with a Rhône white. And the wine that fits well with almost anything you can eat, rosé wines, is available. Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages AOCs also offer character, regional identity, and accessibility without sacrificing quality and come at an excellent price point compared to other well-known French wine regions.
Here are my wine tasting notes for the three wines.
My Wine Tasting Notes
Mas de Sainte Croix Tendresse d’un Climat, Cotes du Rhone Villages Valréas, 2022 (BC $24.99)
A blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah.
Appearance: A clear, medium intensity garnet colour. Teardrops visible on the sides of the glass with swirling.
Nose: Medium-minus intensity aromas of red fruit, plus green peppercorn, and a combination of mustard with meatiness (interesting). You get more dark fruit aromas after decanting and the mustard note disappears.
Palate: Dry with medium-minus body, and a soft, smooth mouthfeel. Medium acidity and light tannins. Fresh, bright red fruits and cherry flavours, plus a touch of oak. Black fruit flavours show on the mid-palate, plus you get a touch of candied cherries and floral with swirling. A medium to medium-plus body after decanting, with a thicker mouthfeel. More black fruit flavours from the start to end, and less red fruit flavours.
Finish: Medium to medium-plus length, finishing with black fruit flavours, some tartness, and medium intensity, drying tannins. Less tartness and more juicy black fruit flavours after decanting.
An elegant wine. Decanting is better as it becomes fuller-bodied, and you lose the mustard note on the nose.
Rating: 
– 
with decanting. The Mas de Sainte Croix Tendresse d’un Climat Côtes du Rhône Villages Valréas 2022 shows a medium garnet colour with aromas of red fruit, green peppercorn, and intriguing savoury notes, shifting toward darker fruit with air. The palate is dry and medium-minus in body with a soft, smooth texture, offering fresh red fruit, cherry, touches of oak, candied cherry, and floral notes, while decanting brings a fuller body and more prominent black fruit flavours. It finishes medium to medium-plus in length with dark fruit, light tartness, and drying tannins, becoming juicier and less tart after air.
Louis Bernard, Cotes du Rhone, Rosé, 2024 (BC $24.98)
A Grenache, Syrah blend. The grapes were destemmed and crushed. No skin maceration. The juice was fermented a low temperature to promote freshneess and aromatics. Each grape variety was vinified spearate then blended together. A vegan-friendly wine.
Appearance: A clear, pale, orange rose petal colour.
Nose: Medium intenstiy aromas of fresh red fruits, strawberries, plus touches of grape stem and stoniness/pencil leads. After decanting the aromas are from fruit only.
Palate: A dry wine, with a light to medium body and soft mouthfeel. Medium-plus acidity leaves a light acidic prickle in your mouth. Tart strawberries, red fruits, strawberry leaf, and stony flavours. A touch of tannins. The wine moves up to a fully medium body after decanting. Acidity is more evident, making the wine more tart.
Finish: Medium-plus length, with a dry finish and a light acidic prickle on your tongue. Tart strawberries and stoniness on the finish. No change to the finish after decanting.
A fresh, fruity, and mineral-driven rosé wine. I prefer the decanted version as there is no pencil lead aroma.
Rating: – with decanting. The Louis Bernard Côtes du Rhône Rosé 2024 shows a pale orange rose petal hue with aromas of fresh red fruits, strawberry, grape stem, and stony minerality, becoming more purely fruit-driven after decanting. The palate is dry with a light to medium body, soft texture, and lively acidity, offering tart strawberry, red fruit, strawberry leaf, and stony flavours with a touch of tannin, while air gives the wine a fuller body and brighter acidity. It finishes dry, medium-plus in length with tart strawberry and mineral notes alongside a refreshing acidic lift.
L’Amista Domaine des Garriguettes, Cotes du Rhone Villages Gadagne, 2023 (BC $44.99)
This one is not a blend; it is 100% Grenache. From the winery, “Domaine des Garriguettes, a four-generation family winery, in the village of Châteauneuf de Gadagne. Mediterranean climate and exposure to the warm southern Mistral wind, both of which provide optimal conditions for organic and biodynamic viticulture. The pride of the Garriguettes estate are their old grenache vineyards, which are around 60 years old on average. Certified Organic (Ecocert) and Certified Biodynamic (Demeter). Aging in concrete vats, without gluing or filtration.”
Appearance: A clear, deep, garnet colour with teardrops visible on the sides of the glass after swirling.
Nose: Medium-plus intensity aromas of juicy black berries, black currants, and a touch of oak. No change to the aromas after decanting.
Palate: This wine is lighter-bodied, off-dry with a soft, lean, light mouthfeel. Black currants and floral flavours along with juicy black berries, plums, and touches of vanilla, pepperiness, and oak. Medium acidity and tannins. The wine tastes drier after decanting. You get a medium body and mouthfeel after decanting.
Finish: Medium-plus length, finishing with a mix of tart and juicy black berries and fruits, and a touch of pepperiness. Lighter, drying tannins on the finish. Less tart fruit and more juicy black fruits after decanting, plus medium tannins.
Rating: – The L’Amista Domaine des Garriguettes Côtes du Rhône Villages Gadagne 2023 shows a deep garnet colour with aromas of juicy black berries, black currants, and a touch of oak. The palate is lighter-bodied and off-dry with a soft, lean texture, offering black currant, plum, floral, and juicy black berry flavours accented by vanilla, pepperiness, and subtle oak, with medium acidity and tannins. It finishes medium-plus in length with a mix of tart and juicy dark fruits and light pepperiness, while decanting brings a drier profile, fuller body, and firmer tannins.
Where Can I Buy These Wines?
Louis Bernard, Cotes du Rhone, Rosé, 2024 – available at Everything Wine stores.
Mas de Sainte Croix Tendresse d’un Climat, Cotes du Rhone Villages Valréas, 2022 – this wine is a BC Liquor Store exclusive.
L’Amista Domaine des Garriguettes, Cotes du Rhone Villages Gadagne, 2023 – available at Everything Wine stores.
These wines may be available at other private wine shops.
