Rhone

Beaucastel Blanc Roussanne Vieilles Vignes 2017 (750ML)

96 DE / 97-99 WA / 96-99 JD 100+-year-old Roussanne here gives very small yields, and it's harvested around two weeks after the younger vines. This wine has notes of macadamia, mango, quince and rhubarb - a dizzying...

Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge 2017 (750ML)

95 JD / 95 WS / 95-97 WA / 95 DE / 93 JS / 18 JR The 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape is another sunny, beautifully Provençal effort that has a huge nose of garrigue, raw steak, leather, truffle, and peppery spice...

Beaucastel Hommage a Jacques Perrin 2003 (750ML)

95 JD / 95 RP / 95 WS The 2003 Châteauneuf du Pape Hommage A Jacques Perrin is fully mature (I’ve had other bottles show more closed and tight, I’ve also had bad luck with corked bottles of this wine) and...

Beaucastel Hommage a Jacques Perrin 2012 (750ML)

99 WA / 99 JD /  97 JS The wine of the vintage is the Perrin’s 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Hommage A Jacques Perrin, and it will most likely merit a perfect rating in another couple of years. Full-bodied,...

Beaucastel Hommage a Jacques Perrin 2013 (750ML)

98 JS / 96+ WA / 96+JD xtremely aromatic with blueberries, blackberries, and flowers. Full- bodied, dense, and rich yet agile and exciting. The tannins are seamless and beautiful. The finish shows stones and spices. The...

Beaucastel Hommage a Jacques Perrin 2015 (750ML)

99 JD / 98 WA / 98 WS / 97 DE#1 Wine Advocate Outstanding New Releases from the Southern Rhône 2017 A classic blend of mostly Mourvèdre, the 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Hommage A Jacques Perrin is a...

Beaucastel Hommage a Jacques Perrin 2016 (3.0L)

100 JD / 100 DE / 100 JS / 99+ WA / 99 DE The flagship is the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Hommage A Jacques Perrin, 75% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah, 10% Grenache, and the rest Counoise, brought up all in foudre...

Brunel Les Cailloux Cuvee Centenaire 2001 (750ML)

97 JD / 96 RP / 96 VM Made from 80% very old vine Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, and 10% Syrah, with the Grenache aged for 15-20 months in old foudre and small barrels, and the Syrah and Mourvèdre aged in...

Chapoutier Chateauneuf Du Pape Barbe Rac 2015 (750ML)

96 WA / 96 JD / 96 WS / 94 JS The 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Barbe Rac is 100% Grenache, but this parcel is located on the western edge of the appellation, in what Chapoutier describes as a hot, dry location—even in the...

Chapoutier Ermitage L'Ermite Blanc 2011 (750ML)

100 WA / 98+ RP / 97 WS Always more dense, backward and focused, the 2011 Ermitage L’Ermite Blanc has everything I could want out of a white. Flower oil, apricot, honeysuckle, brioche, powdered rock and assorted...

Chapoutier Ermitage L'Ermite Rouge 2007 (750ML)

94 WS / 94 VM Offers depth, length and character, with mouthfilling blackberry, raspberry and cherry fruit flavors supported by bright acidity. The long, minerally spine lets additional cherry pit, blood orange and espresso...

Chapoutier Ermitage L'Ermite Rouge 2011 (750ML)

98+ WA / 97 WS As expected, the 2011 Ermitage lErmite, which comes from the lieu-dit of the same name, is more backward and focused, with a slightly closed, tight profile. Slowly giving up ample cassis and black raspberry...

Chapoutier Ermitage L'Ermite Rouge 2013 (750ML)

97 WS / 96+ WA / 95 VM Sleek, with mouthwatering red currant, raspberry and cherry preserve flavors forming the core, while a dusting of cocoa, a snap of red licorice and a long, lingering iron spine complete the picture...

Chapoutier Le Meal Ermitage Blanc 2005 (750ML)

97 WA / 96 WA / 96 RP   Superdense, with lots of bass showing now--anise, fennel seed, cardamom, glazed pear and fig--but there's still plenty of minerality behind it all, with a long, salted...

Chapoutier Saint Joseph Les Granits Rouge 2017 (750ML)

94 DE / 94-96 WA A full-bodied, deep coloured, rich and intense style. Floral and stony on the nose with lovely fresh berry fruit. Very tannic although it's still mouth-coating and ripe – this needs time but...

Chapoutier Vin De Paille 2005 (375ML)

96-98 RP / 95 WS Of course, Michel Chapoutier produces some very limited spectacular dessert wines. The 2005 Ermitage Vin de Paille has a dark amber color, much more noticeable acidity than the 2004, but tastes as unctuous,...

Chateau la Canorgue Luberon 2016 (750ML)

91 WA "The finest red from this appellation I tasted this year, Chateau la Canorgue's 2016 Luberon combines pungent, savory notes of leather, clove, allspice, espresso and black olive with plummy fruit. A blend of 70%...

Clos Des Papes 2005 (1.5L)

98 WS / 97 DE / 96 JD / 95 WA / 95 VM #1 Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2007 Really tight now, but packed with dark fig, currant, espresso, licorice and chocolate notes. Superfleshy but seriously structured, theres layer...

Clos Des Papes 2009 (3.0L)

96 DE / 95 JD /95 WA / 96 WS / 95 VM A real winter warming glass of wine, with structure and weight. Initially tight-knit, it develops in the glass to reveal ripe, fleshy fruit and a long, rich finish. It is still youthful,...

Clos Des Papes 2016 (1.5L)

100 JD / 98 DE / 97+ WA / 97 WS / 97 VM #20 Jeb Dunnuck Top 50 Reds of 2018 Another perfect wine from this brilliant estate is the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which matches the otherworldly 2007. A classic blend...

Clos Saint Jean Chateauneuf Du Pape 2016 (750ML)

93 JD / 92 WA / 91 VM Moving to the reds and 85% Grenache and the rest Syrah and Mourvèdre, the base 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a beauty and boasts appealing notes of spiced red and black fruits, cedar, and...

Clos Saint Jean Deus Ex Machina 2016 (3.0L)

100 JD / 98 WA More cured meats, spice, loamy soil notes, and an incredible core of kirsch and currant fruits emerge from the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Deus Ex Machina. Deep, incredibly concentrated, multi-dimensional...

Clos Saint Jean la Combe des Fous 2015 (750ML)

96 JD / 95 WS / 93 WA / 93-95 VM The 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Combe des Fous shows the seamless, silky side to the vintage, and has closed down slightly since I tasted it from barrel. Its big, intense nose of black...

Clos Saint Jean la Combe des Fous 2016 (6.0L)

98 JD / 95 WA Deep ruby-colored and offering a heavenly bouquet of black raspberries, toasted spiced, cured meats, licorice, and cured meats, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Combes des Fous is awesome on the palate, with...

Delas Freres Ventoux 2018 (750ML)

This cuvée is a blend of wines essentially produced on the communes of Mazan and Goult, in the heart of the Ventoux appellation. Grape varieties : Mainly Grenache and Syrah. Stretching out along the left bank of the...

Domaine Alary Cairanne la Jean de Verde 2016 (750ML)

96 WA Almost 100% Grenache and produced from low-yielding vines (approximately 25 hectoliters per hectare) at the top of the hill of Cairanne, the 2016 Cairanne la Jean de Verde is a prodigious wine. It starts with scents...

Domaine de Ferrand Chateauneuf du Pape 2016 (1.5L)

98 JS / 97 JD / 94 WA #69 James Suckling French Wine of the Year There’s a beautiful purity of fresh, mixed berries, dark plums, deep spices, as well as a gentle, coal-smoke edge. The palate has an effortless,...

Domaine de la Charbonniere Chateauneuf du Pape 2016 (750ML)

94 WS / 92 JD / 92 VM #30 Wine Spectator Top Wine 2019 Tasted out of bottle, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a beautiful wine from this team that exudes elegance. Black raspberries, garrigue, flowers, and incense...

Domaine de la Charbonniere Chateauneuf du Pape Les Hautes Brusquieres Cuvee Speciale 2016 (750ML)

96-98 WA / 95-97 JD / 96 WS / 94 VM A prodigious effort, the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Hautes Brusquieres Cuvee Speciale was yet to be bottled during my June visit. It offers up sweet floral aromas, hints of thyme and...

Domaine de la Charbonniere Vacqueyras 2016 (750ML)

92 VM / 90-92 WA / 89-91 JD (fermented in tronconic oak vats and aged in barriques and demi-muids, most of them used) Deep brilliant ruby. Dark berries, cherry cola, licorice and exotic spices on the highly perfumed...

Domaine De La Janasse Chaupin 2012 (750ML)

94 WA / 94 WS / 93 VM The 2012 Chteauneuf du Pape Cuvee Chaupin, which I was able to taste (and drink) from multiple bottles, is a beautiful Grenache that comes from the cooler, northeastern edge of the appellation. Coming...

Domaine De La Janasse Vieilles Vignes 2011 (750ML)

96 WA / 94 VM / 93 WS And a candidate for the wine of the vintage, the 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is always a rough blend of 85% Grenache and the balance Syrah, Mourvedre, Clairette and other permitted...

Domaine De La Janasse Vieilles Vignes 2014 (750ML)

93 DE / 93 WS / 92 WA / 93-95 VM Vieilles Vignes means just that, the majority of the fruit from vines planted in 1920 and 1965. Pale red hue with a hint of evolution. The wine is busy and fresh on the nose with...

Domaine du Colombier Hermitage Rouge 2015 (750ML)

97 JD The 2015 Hermitage comes from the Les Doignières and Les Beaumes lieux-dits which are more clay and limestone soils. It's another sensational Hermitage from this magical hillside that I wish every reader could...

Domaine Du Pegau Cuvee Reservee 2015 (1.5L)

96 WA / 96 JD / 96 WE / 94 WS / 93-95 VM Now that it has been in bottle a while, the 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reservee is looking even better than I projected based on last year’s prebottling sample. It’s...

Domaine Du Pegau Cuvee Reservee 2016 (750ML)

96 WS / 95+ WA / 95-97 JD A singed chestnut accent leads off here, followed by a sappy core of steeped cherry, raspberry and plum fruit, infused liberally with tobacco, brick dust and garrigue notes. Reveals a brawny edge,...

Domaine Fondreche Il Etait Une Fois 2009 (750ML)

93 RP / 93 WA The first vintage for the cuvee, the stacked 2009 Cotes du Ventoux Il Etait Une Fois (80% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre, and 5% Syrah, aged all in new oak) is a full-bodied, sexy, opulent and mouth-filling southern...

Domaine Louis Clerc Condrieu 2011 (750ML)

Ferraton Cornas Les Eygats 2016 (750ML)

96 JD / 93 WA / 93 WS From a cooler, higher elevation terroir in the appellation, the 2016 Cornas Lieu Dit Les Eygats offers some serious ripeness and richness as well as notes of blackberries, currants, melted licorice,...

Ferraton Hermitage Le Meal Rouge 2016 (750ML)

98 JD / 95 JS Lastly, the 2016 Ermitage Le Méal is the top wine from Ferraton, and rightly so, as it’s a magical wine in 2016. Rocking notes of black raspberries, blackberries, toasted spices, tapenade, and dry...

Ferraton Hermitage Les Dionniers 2016 (750ML)

95 JD Coming all from sedimentary soils on the eastern side of the hill and brought up in 20% new barrels, the 2016 Ermitage Les Dionnières is a gem in the lineup. Blackberries, currants, roasted herbs, cured...

Ferraton Saint Joseph Lieu Dit Paradis 2016 (750ML)

94 WS / 93+ JD This has layers of warm cherry, plum and raspberry compote forming the core, while apple wood, black tea and iron notes run underneath. The finish has a fresh and racy edge, leaving a mouthwatering feel...

Fontbonau 2010 (750ML)

91+ WA Medium garnet-purple colored, the nose is of warm berries, black cherry compote and dried Provence herb aromas with hints of cumin seed, cardamom and violets. Full, opulent and seductive on the palate, it is superbly...

Grand Veneur CdP Les Origines 2016 (750ML)

95 JD / 95 WA   The 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Origines is 50% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, and the rest Syrah, all brought up in 50% new oak. It offers a deep ruby/plum color to go with terrific notes...

Guigal Cote Rotie Chateau D'Ampuis 2012 (1.5L)

97 JS / 95 WA / 95 WS / 94 VM / 17.5+ JR The nose has a complex array of fine-ground eastern spices, strong cardamom, fine dark chocolate and ripe black cherries and plums. There's even some licorice. It has a neatly...

Guigal Ermitage Ex Voto Rouge 2009 (750ML)

100 RP / 100 WA / 97 WS Another perfect wine, the 2009 Hermitage Ex-Voto is surprisingly supple and more approachable than the two single vineyard 2009 Cote Roties, La Turque and La Landonne. The massive Ex-Voto boasts...

Guigal La Doriane Condrieu 2018 (750ML)

97 JD / 97 JS Bottled at the same time, the 2018 Condrieu La Doriane is a bigger, more luxurious version of the appellation release. Beautiful quince, acacia flowers, apricot, and spice notes emerge from the glass and it...

Guigal La Landonne 2010 (750ML)

100 WA / 99 WS / 96-98+ RP A wine thats certainly not for those seeking instant gratification, the 2010 Cote Rotie la Landonne is a powerhouse Cote Rotie that offers up deep, masculine notes of crushed rocks, smoked meats,...

Guigal La Mouline 2009 (750ML)

100 RP The 2009 Cote Rotie La Mouline possesses off-the-charts richness. Like all the vintages, it comes from the Cote Blonde and is co-fermented with 11% Viognier. Its 13.5% alcohol is one of the highest in all the La...

Guigal La Turque 1989 (750ML)

99 RP The precocious, sweet, jammy 1989 La Turque's smoky, licorice, and black-raspberry aromas, as well as its phenomenal richness, make for another extraordinary tasting experience. Full-bodied, dense, and thick, this...