I view Guigal’s Côtes du Rhône as the entry level benchmark of the southern Rhone valley style of GSM (grenache, syrah and mourvedre) blends.  It is universally available in my experience, well made and is good value.  The blend is in fact 50% syrah, 45% grenache and 5% mourvedre.  An “SGM” blend somehow rolls of the tongue less easily however.

The 2011 vintage tasted here reminds of plum skins and spice, with some textural tannins on the mid palate.  I’d buy more of this.  Lovely drinking.

Rating: Good
Abv: 14%
Price: $20
Vendors and website: http://www.guigal.com
Tasted: 2016