2014 Clos Bellane Côtes du Rhône-Villages Valréas

2014 Clos Bellane Côtes du Rhône-Villages Valréas SKU #1269839

$15.99

RP 90-92

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Professional Reviews

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
90-92
Competing with many a Chateauneuf du Pape, the 2014 Côtes du Rhône Villages Valréas (50/50 Grenache and Syrah, aged in concrete) has lots of ripe black and blue fruits, pepper, asphalt and melted licorice aromatics. Medium to full-bodied, layered, even decadent, it looks to be a sensational 2014 that will drink nicely on release. (JD)

(03/2016)

Staff Reviews

By: Mahon McGrath
1/27/2017
K&L Staff Member

A suggestion of cigar tobacco, pepper, roast herb and bay leaf compliment restrained fruit and light tannins on this approachable Rhone. Tangy, with just the right amount of weight to the palate, this savory red is a “good company” wine, by which I mean that while you may not spend much time thinking about it as you’re drinking it, it’ll still enhance everything set on the table alongside it.
By: John Majeski
1/23/2017
K&L Staff Member

Throughout human history the rejuvenative, beneficent power of wine has been known to perform large and small miracles. One such occurred almost 700 years ago to this day when newly elected Pope John XXII (no relation) suddenly fell gravely ill en route to Avignon, took a bit of red wine from Valreas, and was cured! Now this wonderful village wine of Clos Bellane lays claim to no such miracles, but you never know, and besides, it's salutary in its own right, with resplendent aromas and flavors of black cherry, luscious raspberry, rich licorice and a nice pepper note reminiscent of the Northern Rhone. Drink this with a pork tenderloin or cheese and caramelized onion tart, it will, at the very least, cure your appetite. Cheers!
By: Alex Schroeder
1/23/2017
K&L Staff Member

I love this Cotes du Rhone Villages because it has a vibrancy and freshness to it that you might not expect from a Southern Rhone appellation. It leans a little more toward the Syrah side of things with wild raspberry fruit, black pepper, and spices with a silky texture and a nice acidic edge. Great structure, rich fruit and a fresh lift make it a fun food wine with great drinkability now.
By: David Driscoll
1/22/2017
K&L Staff Member

Both of the Clos Bellane wines we have right now drink well beyond their standard "Cotes du Rhone" classification. The Valreas in particular tastes much more like a Crozes-Hermitage or Chateauneuf du Pape with concentrated dark fruit flavors, plenty of spice, leather, and pepper from the syrah. Personally, I've been at the point where the standard 90 point CdR have all started blurring together. In a sea of quaffable value wines the Bellane stands out big time. It offers depth and pureness of flavor of a kind we rarely see for less than twenty bucks.
By: Olivia Ragni
1/12/2017
K&L Staff Member

Cote du Rhone lovers rejoice! This is village level CDR for under $20 and absolutely delicious. Aromas of dark cherry, white flowers and meat jump from the glass while flavors of raspberry, blackberry and graphite come through on the palate with soft integrated tannins that wrap around your mouth like silk. This bottle is sure to impress your friends so keep a few around the house.
By: Keith Mabry
1/11/2017
K&L Staff Member

The village of Valreas is the northernmost Villages level wine in the Rhone appellation. What does that mean? Well a slightly cooler climate, for one. We start departing from the Mediterranean influence and get a little more continental. This cooler site brings more snap and crunch to the fruit and Syrah does particularly well up there offering up more savory spicy elements akin to a northern Rhone Crozes-Hermitage. Winemaker/Proprietor Stephane Vedeau acquired the winery in 2010. All of the vineyards are east facing slopes, most above 350 meters. Stephane elevated the winery's facility so that everything is gravity flow. All of this adds up to Stephane creating the purist cleanest expression of this appellation. The Village-Valreas is where the proof is in the pudding as they say. Full of vibrant, rich red fruit with a nose of dried tobacco leaf and savory spices. It is at once sumptuous and lithe, having both breadth and balance.