2018 RhonéA, Bel Air Beaumes de Venise Cru des Côtes du Rhône Rouge

On the palate, the wine shows a medium-bodied structure with flavors of raspberry, blackberry, and cherry layered with touches of garrigue, olive, and warm spices. The tannins are present but relatively supple, allowing the fruit to remain the central element. A gentle mineral note provides structure through the mid-palate, leading to a balanced finish with lingering red fruit and savory herbal tones typical of southern Rhône blends.

"While lush in body, there's a weightlessness to this fresh-fruited blend of equal parts Grenache and Syrah. Aromas of violets and tar accent ripe but pristine black plum and cherry on the palate. Supple tannins and a revitalizing mineral crush linger on the finish. Delicious young, this wine should drink at peak through 2026 at least." — Anna Lee C. Iijima 91 points, Wine Enthusiast.

Rhonéa is a cooperative winery located in the southern Rhône Valley that represents the combined efforts of growers from several historic villages in the Dentelles de Montmirail area. The cooperative was formed through the merger of the Beaumes-de-Venise and Vacqueyras cooperatives, later incorporating growers from nearby appellations such as Rasteau. Cooperative wineries have long played an important role in the Rhône Valley, allowing small vineyard owners to pool resources for vinification, aging, and marketing while maintaining independent control of their vineyards. Rhonéa now works with hundreds of growers cultivating several hundred hectares of vineyards across multiple southern Rhône appellations.