Kermit Lynch Selections Cotes du Rhone Villages 2024 750ml

Product Info

Terroir
This Côtes du Rhône Villages bottling represents Kermit Lynch’s long-standing philosophy of sourcing from growers who farm thoughtfully and express place over polish. The fruit for the 2024 vintage comes from select villages in the southern Rhône, where Mediterranean warmth is moderated by elevation, wind exposure, and poor, stony soils. These vineyards are typically rooted in a mix of galets roulés, limestone, and clay, soils that absorb daytime heat and radiate it slowly overnight, promoting even ripening while preserving aromatic complexity.

The 2024 growing season favored freshness and balance. Winter rainfall replenished water reserves, while a relatively moderate summer—by southern Rhône standards—allowed grapes to ripen without excessive sugar accumulation. The mistral winds played their familiar role, keeping vines healthy and concentrating flavors while retaining acidity. The result is a vintage that leans vivid and expressive rather than heavy, emphasizing clarity, spice, and savory nuance.

Winemaking & Technical Notes
As with most Kermit Lynch selections, the winemaking here is deliberately restrained. The blend is anchored by Grenache, with supporting roles from Syrah and Mourvèdre, each contributing distinct structural and aromatic elements. Grenache provides warmth, red fruit, and suppleness; Syrah adds depth, peppery spice, and color; Mourvèdre brings earthy grip and savory backbone.

Fermentation is carried out using traditional methods, often with partial whole-cluster inclusion depending on parcel and vintage conditions. Extraction is gentle, favoring infusion over force, and élevage typically occurs in neutral vessels—cement or older oak—so that the wine’s personality remains firmly rooted in fruit and site rather than wood. The goal is a Rhône Villages that is honest, food-driven, and immediately expressive, yet structured enough to reward short- to mid-term cellaring.

Tasting Notes
The 2024 opens with an inviting, energetic nose that immediately signals freshness. Aromas of ripe raspberry, red cherry, and wild strawberry are joined by notes of **garrigue—thyme, rosemary, and lavender—**along with cracked black pepper and a subtle mineral dustiness. There’s a faint hint of cured meat and olive tapenade beneath the fruit, adding savory intrigue without overwhelming the wine’s brightness.

On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, supple, and fluid, with a seamless flow from entry to finish. Juicy red fruits dominate early—cherry and raspberry compote—before giving way to darker tones of plum skin and blackberry. Syrah’s influence emerges mid-palate as pepper, smoked herbs, and a touch of iron-rich earth, while Mourvèdre contributes a gentle tannic grip and a savory edge that keeps the wine grounded.

Acidity is lively and well-integrated, lending lift and drinkability, while tannins are fine-grained and unobtrusive, framing the fruit rather than restraining it. The finish is clean, persistent, and lightly spiced, lingering with echoes of red fruit, dried herbs, and a whisper of stone and earth. Overall, this is a Rhône Villages that prioritizes balance, clarity, and momentum over sheer power.

Food Pairing & Service
This wine is a natural companion at the table, thriving alongside rustic, Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. It pairs beautifully with grilled sausages, herb-roasted chicken, lamb kebabs, or pork shoulder, especially when seasoned with rosemary, garlic, or fennel. Tomato-based dishes—ratatouille, pasta with sausage and tomato, or lentil stew—highlight the wine’s acidity and herbal character. It also shines with charcuterie, aged cheeses, and simple bistro fare, where its freshness cuts through richness without dominating.

Serve slightly cool, around 58–62°F (14–17°C), in a generous all-purpose red glass. Decanting isn’t necessary, though a short splash of air helps the aromatics fully unfurl. While delicious on release, the 2024 has enough structure to evolve over 5–7 years, gradually developing more savory depth and earthy complexity.