".Starting off the Rhone blends, the 2011 Besoleil is a perfumed, supple vintage of this cuvee and offers up lively wild strawberry-driven fruit, white pepper, gunpowder and herbes de Provence-styled aromas and flavors. Made from 51% Grenache, 18% Cinsault, 12% Counoise, 12% Mourvedre and 7% Syrah, it is a medium-bodied, elegant and downright juicy southern Rhone-styled blend that will be ready to go on release and age gracefully for 5-7 years. Drink now-2020.- JD"
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (2013), 91-93 pts
"(54% grenache, 15% cinsault, 12% each counoise and mourvedre and 7% syrah): Moderately saturated bright medium red. Sexy aromas of red berries, cherry, lavender and rose petal, plus a faint rocky quality. Suave and weightless in the mouth, with bright red fruit and floral flavors complicated by dried thyme, lavender and pepper nuances. Lovely juicy wine with excellent intensity and saline grip. This is the first vintage of this bottling to include counoise, which Bob Betz says has contributed spiciness."
"A Rhone-styled blend, the 2012 Besoleil is made from 50% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 15% Syrah and 15% Mourvedre that's aged all in neutral oak. Gorgeous on all accounts, it has fantastic density and depth, with medium to full-bodied richness, beautiful freshness and classic Grenache-driven aromas and flavors of raspberry, black raspberry, pepper, herbs de Provence and flowers. Already hard to resist, it should evolve gracefully for over a decade. - Jeb Dunnuck"
"Aged in 25% new oak for 11 months. Good dark red. Musky if slightly subdued aromas of redcurrant, raspberry, plum and coffee, with earthy and floral notes adding complexity. Wonderfully smoky and sweet on the palate, offering a plush, seamless texture and noteworthy density to the red fruit and meaty oak flavors. Still a bit reduced and firmly tannic on the aftertaste. Betz noted that he's moving steadily away from new oak. - Stephen Tanzer"
"Bottled last November, the 2013 Grenache Besoleil has slightly more Syrah, with the final blend being 49% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 16% Cinsault, 9% Mourvedre and the rest Counoise. Aged 11 months in a combination of different sized barrels, 25% being new, it's a elegant, medium to full-bodied, Provencal-styled effort that has lots of sweet red and black fruits, garrigue and hints of cured meats. It's a total charmer that will have 10-12 years of overall longevity. - Jeb Dunnuck"
"This wine is a blend of Grenache (49%), Syrah (20%), Cinsault (16%), Mourvèdre (9%) and Counoise. Complex aromas of raspberry, blueberry, dried herbs and pepper lead to reserved yet rich fruit flavors that put a premium on purity. Give it time to open up."
"Medium red. Sexy, high-toned red cherry and red berry aromas showcase the wine's Grenache component (but this vintage features the lowest percentage to date of this variety). Bright, ripe raspberry and cherry flavors are complicated by smoky and peppery nuances. A very graceful red blend with sweet tannins and excellent persistence. - Stephen Tanzer"