2016 Domaine du Seminaire Cotes du Rhone Villages Valreas 750 ml

The Pinnacle of Valréas—Priced to Share

History, pedigree, and value don’t often coexist as appealingly as they do here, in the 2016 Domaine du Seminaire Côtes du Rhone Villages. The Grenache and Syrah here are so balanced and soulful already that this is the perfect bottle to buy a case of, and enjoy over the next five to six years. This ruby wine is a magnificent reminder of why we all fell so hard for wines crafted from some or all of the three great red grape varieties of the Rhône in the first place, and of the heights that they’re capable of in the right hands. This is exactly the kind of wine you can–and should–be enjoying with regularity.

Brimming with raspberry, black cherry, campfire smoke, black pepper, and sage, it’s the kind of bottle we reach for night after night (and priced to share at $17.49 on cases). The incredible 2016 Domaine du Seminaire Côtes du Rhône Village Valréas hits the bull’s eye.

Everything about this wine is classic Côtes du Rhône in the best possible way. The property was formerly the vineyard of the local seminary; the winery itself was constructed in 1938, and the same family has been farming the land for four generations. The fruit is harvested from old-vine parcels in the village of Valréas, which sommelier and Rhône Ambassador Christophe Tassan praises as “delicate, caressing wines with a discreetly sensual yet persistent charm.” The clay soils of the village help maintain moisture and coolness, and the fresh air of the Alpine foothills also contributes to the wines’ unique vibrancy and ageability.

Decanter loved Seminaire’s “vibrant and expressive” character, calling it “very drinkable and expressive—a real success,” which is high praise from the august British publication for such a reasonably priced bottle. Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate praised it as “a classic example of the appellation,” reserving special attention for its “plump mid-palate [that] is concentrated and creamy in texture, with tannins that turn silky on the finish.”

It’s a magnificent reminder of why Rhône reds are the world’s house wine, and for good reason: fresh fruit character and easy-drinking generosity are balanced with herbaceous tones and fresh earthy notes, and the options for pairing food with them are infinite.