Rhone

Alain Voge Cornas Vieilles Vignes 2015 (750ML)

96 WS / 94 VM / 95 WA Dark yet inviting, with a well of boysenberry and blackberry compote flavors luring you in, while charcoal, bay leaf and cast-iron notes add contrast and range to hold your attention. The grippy finish...

Amphores Les Iris Syrah 2015 (750ML)

“'Les Iris' is made from 100% Syrah, and aged for 8 months in concrete vats.  It expresses floral notes, black fruits, citrus and spices. The tannins are silky and delicate and the fruit is wild, brambly &...

Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge 2015 (750ML)

97 WS / 97 JS / 96+ JD / 96 WA / 93-95 VM #18 Wine Spectator Top 100 2018 A stunner from the get-go, with waves of thoroughly seductive boysenberry, plum, blueberry and raspberry reduction forming the core, while...

Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge 2016 (750ML)

99 JS / 97 WA / 96+ JD / 96 DE / 18 JR #19 James Suckling's Top 100 Wines of 2018 This is a stunning Beaucastel. A classic! Has a superb array of fruit, ranging from red, through to blue, darker purple and black. Nuances...

Beaucastel Hommage a Jacques Perrin 2003 (750ML)

95 RP / 95 WS 95 Points Robert Parker: The 2003 Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape Hommage a Jacques Perrin has turned out even better than I thought last year. Black purple to the rim, with an extraordinary nose of smoke,...

Beaucastel Hommage a Jacques Perrin 2012 (750ML)

99 WA 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, massive and layered on the...

Beaucastel Hommage a Jacques Perrin 2014 (750ML)

97+ WA I was shocked at the quality of the 2014 Châteauneuf du Pape Hommage A Jacques Perrin and I can’t think of another wine that comes close to this level of depth, concentration and richness in the vintage...

Beaucastel Hommage a Jacques Perrin 2016 (1.5L)

100 JD / 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. Blueberries,...

Boisson Cairanne 2009 (750ML)

90 WA From Bruno Boisson, the 2009 Cairanne is outstanding. Already bottled, it exhibits sweet roasted Provencal herb notes intermixed with notions of licorice, lavender, cherry marmalade and spice box. This broad,...

Caravinserail Elicio Grenache & Merlot 2015 (750ML)

This wine is made from a careful selection of young vines growing on chalky and clay soils in the Southeast of the Rhone Valley. Aged in concrete tanks 6 months with temperature controlled fermentation. This fulfilling wine...

Chapoutier Chateauneuf Du Pape Barbe Rac 2015 (750ML)

96 WA / 96 JD / 96 WS 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 context...

Chapoutier Cote Rotie Neve 2017 (750ML)

95-97 WA In its third vintage as a stand-alone wine, the 2017 Cote Rotie Neve seems to have fully hit its stride. It's full-bodied, rich and tannic but loaded with concentrated blueberry fruit. It's velvety in texture and...

Chapoutier Ermitage De L'Oree Blanc 2014 (750ML)

98+ WA / 96 JS / 95 WS The thickest, most unctuous, full-bodied and sexy white of the vintage is the 2014 Ermitage de lOree. Coming all from the sedimentary soils of the Les Murets and aged mostly in demi-muids (only 15%...

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 Ermitage Le Pavillon 2013 (1.5L)

98+ WA / 96 WS / 96 VM The star of the show in 2013 is the 2013 Ermitage le Pavillon. Coming from the west and eastern edges of the Bessards lieu-dit and aged in 30% new French oak, its sensational black/blue color is...

Chapoutier Le Meal Ermitage 2007 (750ML)

18++ JR / 94 WA Savoury, much tighter and denser than the Greffieux (which surely has a sandy element to it?) – this is more recognisably classic Hermitage. Like licking a stone on the finish and bone dry. Very long...

Chapoutier Luberon La Ciboise Rouge 2014 (750ML)

"Lovely ruby red. Armoas are dominant red-stewed fruit, morello cherry and pepper. On the palate are elegant tannins and lengthy finish." - Winery

Chapoutier St Joseph Granits Blanc 2017 (750ML)

93 DE A classic, elegant, and intense vintage of Granits Blanc. Fresh, rich aromatic expression: honeysuckle and spiced peach with well-integrated oak spice. Medium-bodied, silky, with brisk acidity. Long, saline finish...

Charles Brotte Grand Vallon Syrah 2016 (750ML)

"Intense aromas recalling red fruits - especially red currant, raspberry.  On the palate it is light and vivid with persistent fruitiness and is a pleasant easy drinking wine." -Winery

Chateau Mont Redon Cotes du Rhone Reserve 2015 (750ML)

Deep color. Very expressive and complex nose with red fruits aromas. The mouth is rich with fines tannins and well-structured with cherry, plum and chocolate aromas. The finish is lightly spicy. -...

Chateauneuf du Pape du Baron de Montfaucon 2014 (750ML)

Dark red fruit, tobacco and medium tannins.  "Based in Lirac, which is just to the west of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Château de Montfaucon reliably produces high-quality wines that almost always represent solid...

Clos Des Papes 2005 (1.5L)

98 WS / 95 RP / 95 VM Really tight now, but packed with dark fig, currant, espresso, licorice and chocolate notes. Superfleshy but seriously structured, theres layer after layer of sweet spice, fruit and minerality pumping...

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 2012 (1.5L)

98 WS / 95 WA / 95 VM Really tight now, but packed with dark fig, currant, espresso, licorice and chocolate notes. Superfleshy but seriously structured, theres layer after layer of sweet spice, fruit and minerality pumping...

Clos Des Papes 2016 (1.5L)

100 JD / 98 DE / 97+ WA / 95-97 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 of 60%...

Clos Des Papes 2016 (750ML)

100 JD / 98 DE / 97+ WA / 95-97 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 of 60%...

Clos St Jean Deus Ex Machina 2012 (750ML)

98 + JD / 98 WA / 96 WS Always the biggest, baddest effort in the lineup, the 2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Deus Ex Machina is the normal split of 60% old vine Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre brought up in demi-muids...

Delas Freres Hermitage les Bessards 2015 (750ML)

100 JD / 99+ WA With approximately 500 cases produced, the 2015 Hermitage les Bessards is probably among the most available of the vintage's top wines. Jump on it if your means allow, as I suspect this wine will be a...

Domaine De Amphores Saint Joseph 2012 (750ML)

“100% Syrah farmed with organic and biodynamic practices. This is a rich, juicy red wine from Domaine des Amphores. Lots of dark berry notes, jammy and sweet in delivery, with a touch of floral violet along the way...

Domaine de Cristia Vieilles Vignes CDP 2015 (750ML)

97 WS / 95 JD / 93 WA / 93-95 VM This delivers a lush, enticing blast of cassis and raspberry and boysenberry preserve flavors, carried by a silky structure that lets the fruit play out at length, giving adequate...

Domaine de Ferrand Chateauneuf du Pape 2015 (750ML)

93 JD / 90 WA / 93-95 VM Tasted from bottle, Bravays's 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is filled with notions of framboise, ripe strawberries, spice and dried flowers. It's not the biggest, baddest wine he's ever made, but...

Domaine de Ferrand Chateauneuf du Pape 2016 (750ML)

98 JS / 96-98 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 Janasse 2016 (750ML)

95 JD / 93 WS / 93 WA Moving to the Châteauneuf-du-Pape from bottle, the 2016 vintage was described as having the power of 2010 and similar to yet fresher than 2007. The 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape offers a great...

Domaine De La Janasse Chaupin 2015 (750ML)

96 WA / 95 WS / 95 JD / 93-95 VM The 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Chaupin is all Grenache, 40% whole cluster, aged in two-thirds foudre and one-third demi-muids and drawn exclusively from sandy sites. It showcases...

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 2012 (750ML)

96 WA / 96 WS / 94 VM Up in the top handful of wines in the vintage (which should come as no surprise to anyone who follows this estate), the 2012 Chteauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is a full-bodied, beautifully...

Domaine De La Janasse Vieilles Vignes 2016 (750ML)

99 JD / 97+ WA / 97 WS / 96 DE / 94-96 VM Bottled at the same time, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Vieilles Vignes gives up more cassis, tapenade, underbrush, cured meats, and earth, and it’s a...

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 Coulet Billes Noires 2011 (1.5L)

96 WS / 95 WA 96 Points Wine Spectator: Offers a scintillating display of loganberry, black currant, bitter plum and cherry pit notes before picking up a racy minerally edge that pierces the finish, leaving echoes of warm...

Domaine du Coulet Terrasses Du Serre 2009 (750ML)

95 WS / 95 WA / 92 VM This really stands apart from the crowd, with searingly intense minerality cutting through a massive core of pastis, plum sauce and fig paste. Gorgeous violet and spice notes fill in the background,...

Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee da Capo 2016 (750ML)

99-100 JD / 96-98 WA / 97 DE / 95-97 VM A step up over the 2015, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Da Capo is another perfect wine in the making and reminds me of the incredible 1998. Inky colored, with a...

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 (1.5L)

95-97 JD / 93-95 WA A wine that’s going to rival or surpass the 2015, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée shows the quality of this awesome vintage with its deep, powerful,...

Domaine Louis Clerc Condrieu 2011 (750ML)

Domaine Roucas Toumba Vacqueyras La Grande Terre 2015 (750ML)

"60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 20% mourvèdre.” - Winery

Domaine Vieille Julienne Reserve 2016 (750ML)

100 JD / 96 DE A modern-day legend in the making is the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve from Jean-Paul Daumen, one of the greatest young wines I’ve ever tasted. This Grenache-dominated effort was brought up...

Ferraton Cornas Les Eygats 2016 (750ML)

96 JD 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, crushed rocks, and...

Ferraton Hermitage Le Meal Rouge 2016 (750ML)

98 JD 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 aged...

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...