Kermit Lynch Côtes du Rhône Rouge 2021
This cuvée dates back to the ’80s, when Kermit Lynch found an inexpensive source of delicious everyday Côtes du Rhône. Kermit has this blend made from a large selection of different wines: a dozen or more tanks are often presented, and countless combinations are tested over the course of several grueling hours in the cellar. At the end, it often comes down to adjusting a half-percentage of this or a smidge of that. Blending is an art!
The 2022 vintage of this wine is very Rhôney—it tastes exactly how Côtes du Rhône should taste. It’s as if the hot summer concentrated the herbal essences of the region’s wild vegetation—la garrigue—giving it a lovely savory note to contrast with its chewy, ripe, mouth-filling fruit. You might also find a stony impression suggestive of the Rhône’s famous riverbed stones, which cover the vineyards. There is enough tannin for it to shine with roasted lamb, should you opt for a regional pairing, but not too much that you can’t gulp it just for the sake of gulping. The finish is surprisingly long and full of perfume.
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Varietal Composition | 48% Grenache, 39% Syrah, 6% Mourvèdre, 5% Carignan, 1% Marselan, 1% Cinsault |
| Appellation | Côtes du Rhône |
| Alcohol | 13.50% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Country of Origin | FRANCE |
| State of Origin | N/A |
| Artificially Carbonated | No |
| Sparkling Wine | No |
