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The French wine region known as the Rhone straddles the Rhone river valley from just south of Lyon and ending 125 miles later just south of Avignon near the Mediterranean. There are well over 20 grape varieties used in the production of Rhone wines with each appellation having rules permitting the use of only certain grapes. The major red grape variety in Southern Rhone wines is Grenache followed by Syrah, Carignan, and Mourvedre. The major white grape varieties in white wines of the Rhone are Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Ugni Blanc, Bourboulenc, Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier.
The major appellations (or AOC's) in the Southern Rhone wine region are: Cotes du Rhone (the lowest classification and allowed for use in all 171 communes in the Northern and Southern Rhone), Cotes du Rhone Villages, Cotes du Rhone Villages (with the name of the particular village placed after), Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Vacqueyras, Rasteau, and Gigondas. Most of the red wines in the south are dominated by the Grenache grape. The sweet wines called Beaumes de Venise or Muscat de Beaumes de Venise, and dry rose; wines of Tavel should also be noted.
The major appellations (or AOC's) in the Northern Rhone are: Condrieu, Cornas, Cote-Rotie, Crozes-Hermitage, Hermitage, and Saint-Joseph. The major red grape variety in all Northern Rhone wines is Syrah.
Premier SelectPremier Select wines are handpicked by our staff from amongst thousands of wines for their exceptional quality. They're made by a top producer and comparable to wines at twice the cost.
JD9191 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - 5/22/2023 The 2022 Tavel Vieilles Vignes (60% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, and 10% Syrah) has a classic Tavel deeper ruby hue as well as powerful aromatics of framboise, candied strawberries, white pepper, and hints of Provençal garrigue. Beautiful on the palate as well, it has plenty of richness, medium body, and a clean, dry finish. A terrific Tavel, it brings plenty of richness while staying light on its feet and balanced. (Jeb Dunnuck)Premier SelectPremier Select wines are handpicked by our staff from amongst thousands of wines for their exceptional quality. They're made by a top producer and comparable to wines at twice the cost.
JD9292 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - 1/25/2022 Moving to the reds, the 2020 Vacqueyras Les Hauts De La Ponche is 50% Grenache and 25% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre. It actually reminds me of a Pomerol with its red and blue fruits as well as bouquet garni, damp earth, and floral nuances. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, I love its balance, and it has silky tannins and remarkable purity of fruit. Drink bottles over the coming 7–8 years. (Jeb Dunnuck)Premier SelectPremier Select wines are handpicked by our staff from amongst thousands of wines for their exceptional quality. They're made by a top producer and comparable to wines at twice the cost.
JD9191 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - 5/22/2023 The 2022 Luberon Les Becs Fins Rosé is terrific, with a pure, medium-bodied, textured, yet vibrant style as well as classic notes of watermelon, strawberries, and subtle floral nuances. It’s balanced and will shine on the dinner table as well as on its own. (Jeb Dunnuck)Premier SelectPremier Select wines are handpicked by our staff from amongst thousands of wines for their exceptional quality. They're made by a top producer and comparable to wines at twice the cost.
JD90+90–92 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - 8/28/2018 The old vine cuvée is the 2017 Rasteau Vieilles Vignes, based on 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre that’s brought up in older barrels. Blackberries, toasted spice, smoked earth and licorice notes all flow to a rich, powerful, concentrated Rasteau that has ripe, present tannins and a great finish. It’s certainly going to be an outstanding wine. (Jeb Dunnuck)WE8787 pts. - Wine Enthusiast - 12/31/2020 Densely concentrated plum and black cherry flavors are muted by savory notes of crushed earth and tobacco and in this full-bodied blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. It’s a rounded, open-knit wine that’s showing glimpses of maturity, so it’s best to enjoy now–2024. (Anna Lee C. Iijima)Premier SelectPremier Select wines are handpicked by our staff from amongst thousands of wines for their exceptional quality. They're made by a top producer and comparable to wines at twice the cost.
Premier SelectPremier Select wines are handpicked by our staff from amongst thousands of wines for their exceptional quality. They're made by a top producer and comparable to wines at twice the cost.
WE9595 pts. - Wine Enthusiast - 7/1/2012 A prodigious effort, the 2009 Vieilles Vignes from Grand Veneur includes a whopping 40% Mourvèdre in the blend (there’s also 10% Syrah, with the balance being Grenache), which no doubt accounts for its dark flavor profile. This is a full-bodied, lushly textured, expansive wine, with a finish that seems to go on forever. Approachable now, it should age well for 10–12 years at least.RP93+93–95 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 30th Oct 2010 The 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes (a cuvee that was first made in 2006) is a blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 20% Syrah, all aged in new oak casks. Despite all the new oak, its influence is marginal. Some toasty notes are present, but the wine is very full-bodied with extraordinarily intense aromas and flavors of creme de cassis, kirsch, lavender, licorice and hints of lead pencil shavings and smoke. Dense, full-bodied, tannic and super intense, this is a massive 2009 that begs for 4–5 years of cellaring. It should drink well for 20–25 years thereafter.
Premier SelectPremier Select wines are handpicked by our staff from amongst thousands of wines for their exceptional quality. They're made by a top producer and comparable to wines at twice the cost.
Premier SelectPremier Select wines are handpicked by our staff from amongst thousands of wines for their exceptional quality. They're made by a top producer and comparable to wines at twice the cost.
Premier SelectPremier Select wines are handpicked by our staff from amongst thousands of wines for their exceptional quality. They're made by a top producer and comparable to wines at twice the cost.
RP88+88–90 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 12th Dec 2020 Plums, black cherries and hints of garrigue mark the nose of the 2019 Cotes du Rhone les 3 Soeurs, a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. It’s medium to full-bodied, with soft masses of ripe tannin that impart a plush mouthfeel and linger easily on the finish. As always with this cuvée, I’d opt for drinking it on the young side.
JD91+91–93 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - August 16, 2019 Moving to the reds and starting with the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape (a blend of 75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 9% Mourvèdre, and the balance Cinsault, Terret Noir, Muscardin, and other permitted varieties), this wine has a terrific sense of purity and elegance in its black and blue fruits, sappy flowers, and peppery garrigue aromas and flavors. These carry to a medium-bodied, finesse-oriented wine that has beautiful tannins, no hard edges, and outstanding length. This is a classic, traditional cuvée done brilliantly. While it has the upfront style of the vintage front and center, it’s still going to evolve beautifully on its balance and purity. (Jeb Dunnuck)RP9191 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 24th Sep 2020 Decadently ripe, the 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape combines hints of garrigue, raspberries, black cherries and dark chocolate on the nose. In the mouth, it’s full-bodied, plush and creamy textured without coming across as heavy, finishing supple and long. While some may find it over the top, for me, it retains a sense of balance in the tension between the sense of ripeness and its delicate herbal nuances. It won’t be terribly long-lived but should drink at its delicious best over the next 6–8 years.VN90+90–93 pts. - Vinous - Dec 2019 Limpid ruby-red. Spice-accented red berry and cherry aromas are complemented by building floral and mineral nuances. Alluringly sweet and seamless in the mouth, offering lively black raspberry, cherry liqueur, licorice and baking spice flavors braced by a spine of juicy acidity. Finishes supple and long, with lingering floral and spice notes and subtle tannins that lend shape and gentle grip.
JD9595 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - August 28, 2018 Bottled in March, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape (80% Grenache) was brought up in a mix of concrete (mostly) and foudre. It gives up sensational notes of kirsch liqueur, white flowers, graphite, candle wax, and spice. This rich, full-bodied, yet seamless Châteauneuf-du-Pape has a powerful, balanced style that’s going to keep for 15–20 years. It’s a gorgeous wine. (Jeb Dunnuck)RP93+93–95 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 31st Oct 2017 The 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape weighs in at 15.5% alcohol by volume yet doesn’t show any heat. Blueberries, spice, cherries and stone fruit come in full-bodied, velvety waves and finish rich and long. This looks to be a stellar effort while the fruit lasts.VN9393 pts. - Vinous - Jul 2018 Brilliant red. Highly perfumed red fruit liqueur, potpourri and Moroccan spice scents show impressive vivacity and focus. Sappy, alluringly sweet and precise, offering palate-staining raspberry and floral pastille flavors and a hint of spicecake. Closes very long and smooth, displaying excellent focus, even tannins and emphatic, floral-tinged persistence.
VN9393 pts. - Vinous - Oct 2021 Deep, shimmering ruby. Powerful red and dark berry scents are complemented by exotic spice, garrigue and floral nuances. Sappy and densely packed, offering juicy raspberry, cherry preserve, licorice and fruitcake flavors underscored by a vein of juicy acidity. Gently chewy tannins build steadily on an impressively long, penetrating finish that leaves behind lavender and juicy cherry notes.SP9393 pts. - Wine Spectator - Feb 28, 2022 Dark and winey, with waves of ganache, steeped plum, blackberry reduction and melted black licorice rolling through. The finish is scored with warm earth and smoldering tobacco notes, showing ample grip for the cellar. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Counoise, Muscardin, Vaccarèse and Cinsault. Best from 2023 through 2036. 18,300 cases made, 1,500 cases imported.JD9393 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - 10/6/2020 The base wine, the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape has a healthy ruby/purple color to go with its classic Southern Rhône notes of ripe red and black fruits, lots of earthy garrigue, some ground pepper, and a touch of minerality. All this carries over to the palate, where the wine is medium to full-bodied and beautifully balanced, with a great mid-palate and sweet tannins. It certainly shows the upfront, charming style of the vintage, but I love its mid-palate, it’s beautifully balanced, and is just a seriously classy wine from this estate, which deserves more recognition today. Enjoy bottles any time over the coming 15 years or more. (Jeb Dunnuck)
JD90+90–92 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - 11/8/2021 The 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape is downright classy, with impressive darker berry fruits as well as peppery garrigue and spice-driven aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has wonderful purity, ripe, polished tannins, and a great finish. (Jeb Dunnuck)
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Rive droite, rive gauche Côtes-du-Rhône
Tardieu-Laurent Tavel Vieilles Vignes
Domaine Font Sarade Vacqueyras Les Hauts de La Ponche
Tardieu-Laurent Les Becs Fins Rosé
Domaine Grand Nicolet Rasteau Vieilles Vignes
