2016 Nicole & Friends Northern Rhone Blend

2016 Nicole & Friends Northern Rhone Blend

2016 Nicole & Friends Northern Rhone Blend

The black plum and cherry fruit mingle seamlessly with the licorice root, crushed violet and cocoa nib aromas. Mocha and cherry pits add character to the close. The tannins are firm, with the fruit squeezing out on the end.

The Northern Rhône valley experiences a cooler climate and vineyards are knitted along sharp-toothed hillsides with stony soil. The river is down there, and alongside it, the vines are up here. Vineyards are often terraced to lift out of the granite soil and gain intimacy with the sun. For the purposes of wine classification, this northern region is called septendrial to the French; in English simply Northern Rhône.

Though the Northern Rhône region is smaller than the Southern Rhône region, it’s the well-poised. Northern Rhône wines can be highly distinctive and fine. They stick to a cultivated game plan. In fact, the only red grape you’ll find in Northern Rhône wines is Syrah. Syrah is deep in color and intense berry-smoky-peppery flavor. This varies as we move around the cru, of course.

Viognier, Marsanne and Roussane can become strictly-speaking whites, and in an unusual sleight of hand they can be lightly blended with Syrah to add complexity.

Northern Rhône vineyards are primarily planted on the western bank of the river (though Hermitage and Crozes-Hermitage are on the Eastern bank, so keep your eyes open for treasure anywhere).

The Rhône River runs in a relatively straight, north-south path by the time it wedges into France from Switzerland near Lyon. While the Rhône is one singular river, it travels through geography and climate adjustments, that have influence over the vineyards.