Marsanne, a grape from the northern Rhône, is usually blended with Roussanne and/or Viognier.  Marsanne brings deep colour, nuts and spice, Roussanne offers floral tones, body and richness and Viognier, fruit.

This wine is 100% Marsanne though and is from the IGP region for Collines Rhodaniennes.  This is a lower quality region, but it’s also part of a larger catchment which forms the home to some of the Rhône‘s most famous wine appellations, such as Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu and Hermitage.

Nobles Rives is one solid effort, even more so for its low price of only US$12.

On the eyes, it’s like most Marsanne wines – a deeper hue of gold – with a nose of stone fruit, nut and ginger blossom with rock dust.  The palate is dry with good acidity and flavours of pear, bitter almond, more ginger and quince paste.

WSET Good with a short finish.  Solid choice for food, including fish, chicken, pasta and cheese plates.