Domaines Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle 2017 Magnum

"The icon is in dangerously seductive form. Such pristine dark cherries, blackberries and dark plums, dark chocolate, finely crushed spices and plenty of crushed dark stones on offer. The palate is very intense, very slick and fine tannins deliver an almost playfully soft impression. The oak is super integrated. Like La Maison Bleue, this approachability is an aberration, as it has immense power, concentration and length with such regal and alluring swagger at the finish. But there is so much … more

Country: France
Region: Rhone Valley
Sub Region: Hermitage

Domaine René Rostaing Côte-Rôtie Ampodium 2021 375ml

Country: France
Region: Rhone Valley
Sub Region: Cote-Rotie

Domaine René Rostaing Côte-Rôtie Ampodium 2020 Magnum

Country: France
Region: Rhone Valley
Sub Region: Cote-Rotie

Domaine René Rostaing Côte-Rôtie Ampodium 2019

"Primary black/blue fruit, violet, allspice and olive qualities on the highly perfumed nose, where a smoky mineral nuance adds energetic lift. Sweet, deep-pitched blueberry, cherry and fruitcake flavors spread out steadily in the mouth, picking up spiciness and a touch of licorice on the back half. Finishes with sharp clarity and silky tannins that provide closing shape and grip." (92-94). Josh Raynolds, Vinous.com, March 2020

Country: France
Region: Rhone Valley
Sub Region: Cote-Rotie

Domaine René Rostaing Côte-Rôtie Ampodium 2017 375ml

Country: France
Region: Rhone Valley
Sub Region: Cote-Rotie

Domaine Raspail-Ay Gigondas 2019 Jeroboam

Raspail-Ay was founded in 1854 with 18 hectares under vine planted to Grenache (80%) Syrah (15%) and Mourvedre (5%) proprietor Dominique-Ay keeps things pretty simple at Gigondas' finest address - one red and one rosé. The Gigondas reflects the appellation's characteristics faithfully in an elegantly robust style which needs four or so years for the tannins to meld with the wine.

Dense and concentrated with dark fruits, pepper and spices with a gamey note, there is also a stony mineral … more

Country: France
Region: Rhone Valley
Sub Region: Gigondas

Domaine Raspail-Ay Gigondas 2019

Raspail-Ay was founded in 1854 with 18 hectares under vine planted to Grenache (80%) Syrah (15%) and Mourvedre (5%) proprietor Dominique-Ay keeps things pretty simple at Gigondas' finest address - one red and one rosé. The Gigondas reflects the appellation's characteristics faithfully in an elegantly robust style which needs four or so years for the tannins to meld with the wine.

Dense and concentrated with dark fruits, pepper and spices with a gamey note, there is also a stony mineral … more

Country: France
Region: Rhone Valley
Sub Region: Gigondas

Domaine Raspail-Ay Gigondas 2018

Raspail-Ay was founded in 1854 with 18 hectares under vine planted to Grenache (80%) Syrah (15%) and Mourvedre (5%) proprietor Dominique-Ay keeps things pretty simple at Gigondas' finest address - one red and one rosé. The Gigondas reflects the appellation's characteristics faithfully in an elegantly robust style which needs four or so years for the tannins to meld with the wine.

Dense and concentrated with dark fruits, pepper and spices with a gamey note, there is also a stony mineral … more

Country: France
Region: Rhone Valley
Sub Region: Gigondas

Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Mon Aïeul 2016 Magnum

"Getting more than one exclamation in the notes, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée de Mon Aïeul is a deep, rich yet vibrant red that offers a kaleidoscope of kirsch liqueur, garrigue, crushed flowers, Asian spices, and cured meats. It's more opulent and sexier than the 2010, fresher and purer than the 2007, has deep, full-bodied aromas and flavors, and a huge finish. It's a sensational, heavenly Châteauneuf-du-Pape that tops out my scale. This cuvée is 100% Grenache that was not destemmed … more

Country: France
Region: Rhone Valley
Sub Region: Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2016 Magnum

"The 2016 Châteauneuf du Pape is mostly Grenache blended with 10% Syrah and 5% each of Mourvèdre and Cinsault. It’s mostly (not completely) destemmed and aged 80% in concrete and 20% in older barrels. It’s a terrific, full-bodied beauty that has ripe, sweet tannin, a great mid-palate and hedonistic notes of roasted herbs, black raspberries, chocolate and incense. It’s a no-brainer case purchase." - The Wine Advocate

Country: France
Region: Rhone Valley
Sub Region: Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Domaine la Barroche Vin de France Liberty 2018

55% Grenache, 18% Syrah, 12% Mourvèdre, 10% Cinsault and 5% Carignan, from Yannick Alliaud’s 50 year old vines in Châteauneuf de Gadagne, just 20km south of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. De-stemmed, macerated on skins for more than 4 weeks and fermented in concrete tanks. Matured in old oak casks and 600 litre demi-muids for 18 months. Unfined and unfiltered.

"Coming from very old vines and similar rocky, pebbly soils as La Crau in Châteauneuf Du Pape, the 2018 Vin de France Liberty is … more

Country: France
Region: Rhone Valley

Domaine la Barroche Châteauneuf du Pape "Julien Barrot" 2019

62% Grenache, 18% Mourvedre, 12% Syrah, 6% Cinsault and 1% Vaccarese and 1% other varieties. De-stemmed, macerated on skins for more than 4 weeks and fermented in concrete tanks. The Grenache is then aged for 18 months in large oak foudres and blended with the other varieties before bottling. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.

"Lavender, pastis and warm stone notes liberally infuse a core of steeped cherry and plum paste flavors in this red, with everything knitting steadily through the finish, … more

Country: France
Region: Rhone Valley
Sub Region: Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Domaine Jean-Paul, Corrine & Loïc Jamet Condrieu Vernillion 2021

Note: 'Viognier (Planted 1989 in the dip, OK for dry conditions), 2009 on the hillside, dry conditions) from E facing 0.5 ha at 300 metres on Côte Châtillon & from 2018 0.33 ha on Vernon (2014-2015, the Chéry side of Vernon hill, the 1st part is hilly, precocious, 2nd part deeper soils, more abundant, 1 week behind), vinification starts in vat, then from 2016 30-100% 500-litre amphora (rising), 0-70% 2-7 year 228-litre oak cask (falling) fermented, raised 10 months (2015 … more

Country: France
Region: Rhone Valley
Sub Region: Cote-Rotie

Domaine Jean-Paul & Corrine Jamet Côte Rôtie 2018

Note: "From mainly northern sector sites near Ampuis, 5-40% destemmed according to vintage quality, 18-21 day vinification, pumping overs on whole bunch crop, cap punching on destemmed grapes, aged 20% new, 80% 2-10 year 550 and 228-litre oak casks 22 months, unfined, unfiltered." JLL Drinkrhone.com

'Precise aromas of dark berry preserves, pungent flowers, pipe tobacco and smoky minerals; allspice and succulent herb nuances build in the glass. Broad, alluringly sweet and youthfully chewy, offering intense blackberry, cherry preserve, fruitcake and … more

Country: France
Region: Rhone Valley
Sub Region: Cote-Rotie

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave L'Hermitage Blanc 2018

The 2018 Hermitage Blanc was still in its various components, so my rating and description is something of a composite, based on barrel-tasting lots from Péléat, Les Rocoules and L'Ermite. There's incredible weight, ripeness and richness throughout, with hints of toast and crocuses accenting white peach, melon and pineapple fruit, yet also a sense of vibrance and briny freshness on the lengthy finishes. 95-97" - JC, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"The thickness of the skins on Chave’s old vine parcels … more

Country: France
Region: Rhone Valley
Sub Region: Hermitage