Maison Brotte Esprit Côtes du Rhône Red

The Brotte Esprit Côtes du Rhône Rouge 2022 is a classic red Rhône for those who love ripe red fruit, soft spice, and a smooth yet serious structure. With this cuvée, Maison Brotte translates its Châteauneuf-du-Pape expertise into a prestigious Côtes du Rhône, while the name Barville refers to the house's family history in Châteauneuf-du-Pape since 1880. The wine carries the AOC Côtes du Rhône designation. What does AOC Côtes du Rhône mean? It is the protected appellation for wines from the Rhône Valley that must comply with fixed origin and production rules. 

Vineyards and region

The basis of this wine lies in the southern Rhône, where Grenache ripens excellently while retaining sufficient spice and tension.

• Location / Origin: The grapes come from small winegrowers in the Rhône Valley who have been working with Maison Brotte for decades. This firmly places this wine within the broad Côtes du Rhône appellation, in a region that stretches approximately 200 km along both banks of the Rhône.
• Soil: The vineyards for this cuvée are located on clay-limestone and sandy soils. This combination gives Grenache ripe fruit, while the lime and sand help to preserve refinement and a beautiful line.
• Climate & influences: In the southern part of the Rhône, a Mediterranean climate with dry summers and winters predominates. The Mistral plays an important role here, as this wind quickly removes moisture after rain, thus helping to keep the grapes healthy.
• Vineyard & harvest: Brotte works here with sustainable viticulture, strict winter pruning, green harvesting, and defoliation to limit yields and increase concentration. The Grenache is picked when the grapes are fully ripe.

Vinification and aging

In the cellar, Brotte opts for a traditional approach that beautifully combines fruit, spice, and suppleness.

• Harvest & Selection: After harvesting, the grapes are gently crushed. This keeps the fruit intact enough to build a soft, precise extraction.
• Fermentation: Fermentation takes place for 15–20 days in concrete tanks at 28–30 °C, with 2 pump-overs per day, délestage, and bâtonnage during alcoholic fermentation. This approach ensures a deeper color, a ripe fruit core, and fine, well-integrated tannins.
• Aging / Oak aging: After malolactic fermentation, the wine ages for 8–12 months in ancient oak foudres and concrete tanks. This adds extra roundness and spicy depth, while the fruit remains beautifully visible.

Grape composition

The blend here clearly revolves around Grenache Noir, supported by Syrah for extra structure and spice.

• Grenache Noir – Côtes du Rhône: Grenache Noir forms the core of this wine, giving it its round attack, ripe fruit expression, and warm southern signature.
• Syrah – Côtes du Rhône: Syrah brings extra grip, spiciness, and more depth to the whole, making the wine feel a bit more serious and gastronomic.

Tasting notes and serving suggestions

Deep red in the glass with a slightly brick-colored rim, with small red fruit, pepper, thyme, and garrigue on the nose. On the palate, it is soft, silky, and full, with fine tannins and a beautiful line of wild red fruits, black cherries, sous-bois, and licorice. The finish remains elegantly spicy.

• Serving temperature: 16–18 °C is best here, as this range opens up the ripe fruit while keeping the spice and structure beautifully balanced.
• Dishes: A mushroom omelet, beef fillet, veal stew, homemade burger, or couscous pair particularly well with this wine. A creamy cow's milk cheese also works very nicely with this wine.

More information about Maison Brotte

Maison Brotte was officially founded in Châteauneuf-du-Pape in 1931, although the family story goes back to 1880. Since then, the house has built its name over 5 generations, with multiple generations still active within the company today. This long-standing connection to the Rhône explains well why a wine like Esprit carries so much regional typicality and house style.