Rhône
The Rhône Valley, located in southeastern France, is renowned for its exceptional fine wines. With its diverse terroir, rich history, and dedication to quality winemaking, the Rhône Valley offers a captivating selection of wines that embody the region's elegance, complexity, and distinctive character.
The Rhône Valley boasts its own iconic vineyards and wineries, including Château de Beaucastel, Domaine Guigal, and Chapoutier, which are celebrated for producing exceptional wines that showcase the region's unique terroir and winemaking expertise.
The Rhône Valley is renowned for its red wines, particularly in the northern part of the region. Syrah reigns as the dominant grape variety, producing intense and structured wines. Appellations such as Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, and Cornas are known for their robust and age-worthy reds, often displaying notes of black fruits, spice, and earthiness. Famous vineyards such as La Landonne, La Mouline, and Les Bessards are revered for their exceptional expressions of Syrah.
In the southern Rhône Valley, Grenache takes centre stage, contributing to the region's bold and fruit-forward red blends. The renowned appellation of Châteauneuf-du-Pape is famous for its rich and full-bodied red wines, often featuring a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. Vineyards like Château de Beaucastel, Clos des Papes, and Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe produce remarkable wines that showcase the region's commitment to excellence.
The Rhône Valley is also celebrated for its white wines, particularly in the northern part of the region. Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne are the key grape varieties, producing aromatic and complex whites. Appellations like Condrieu and Hermitage produce exceptional white wines known for their floral aromas, stone fruit flavors, and vibrant acidity.
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Rhône
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Wine Advocate (96)
Only produced in top vintages (this is the first since 2012), the 2015 Cornas Vieilles Fontaines comes from 80-year-old vines within the La Fontaine lieu-dit. It's a tough wine to evaluate at this stage, as it's quite closed and reticent on the nose, showing some crushed-stone notes and typical granite-based austerity, but on the palate it shows great purity of fruit and vigor. It's full-bodied but tight-laced, focused on driving through the long finish like a thoroughbred down the stretch. Give it at least 5 years in the cellar.Inc. VAT£1,078.84 -
Vinous (96)
Opaque ruby. Powerful, spice- and mineral-accented black and blue fruit preserve scents show superb focus and pick up smoked meat, olive and potpourri nuances with air. Sappy, deeply concentrated and energetic as well, offering juicy, spice-driven cassis, blueberry, bitter cherry and floral pastille flavors that are firmed by a core of smoky minerality. Blends power and finesse with a sure hand and finishes extremely long and minerally, with steadily building tannins and resonating blue fruit and floral notes. Made with one-third whole clusters.Inc. VAT£840.29 -
Vinous (95)
Vivid purple. Displays expansive, finely detailed aromas of blueberry, kirsch, black pepper, violet and exotic spices, with hints of olive and cola in the background. Fleshy and broad in the mouth, offering deeply concentrated black and blue fruit preserve, smoky bacon and floral pastille flavors that are lifted and brightened by a building mineral nuance. Chewy and appealingly sweet on the strikingly persistent finish, which features youthfully chewy tannins and resonating florality.Inc. VAT£564.04 -
Wine Spectator (98)
This offers a drop-dead gorgeous core of cassis and raspberry pâte de fruit flavors that hold center stage but still allow notes of Lapsang souchong tea, anise, incense and shiso leaf to chime in. Very long, with a sublime feel through the mineral-tinged finish. So seductive already, but this should cruise in the cellar. Drink now through 2040. 6,000 cases made.Inc. VAT£827.09 -
Jancis Robinson (18)
Leather and spiced notes, pure with good fresh vivacity on the nose. The palate is ripe and seductive, layered with forest fruits, dark spiced figs. Attractive refreshing acidity, red fruits and a wild garrigue savoury Mourvèdre note – the tannins are supple and silky – dark forest-fruits finish which is broad, ample and opulent but always with a finesse of tannins and a savoury liquorice mineral note.Inc. VAT£559.49 -
Jeb Dunnuck (97+)
Moving to the tiny production 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Les Quartz, which is mostly Grenache with around 25% or so of Syrah, it has a rich, full-bodied, dense, and almost backward style to go with powerful black fruits, ground pepper, and violet aromas and flavors. I love its purity of fruit, and it builds nicely with time in the glass, showing more mid-palate depth as well as ripe tannins. It’s a stunning bottle of wine, but patience will be required. Hide bottles for 4-5 years and enjoy over the following two decades.Inc. VAT£588.29 -
Wine Advocate (90)
The 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape retains a vibrant dark hue, but it has moved into a savory, meaty, mushroomy phase. It's still full-bodied and supple, turning silky and warm on the finish. Drink up.Inc. VAT£526.84 -
Wine Advocate (94)
One of the vintage's top wines, the 2008 Chateauneuf du Pape la Combe des Fous continues to drink splendidly. Brandied cherries and dried herbs mark the nose, while the full-bodied palate is velvety and open-knit, with shadings of cocoa and a bit of savory, meaty development. It does dry out a bit as it sits in the glass, but it should continue to drink well through 2020 at least.Inc. VAT£810.04 -
Wine Advocate (97+)
Another killer Cote Rotie is the 2009 Cote Rotie la Landonne and it's a bigger, rich, more opulent version of the 2010. Raspberries, chocolate, exotic flowers, violets and ample minerality all give way to a full-bodied, seamless, layered 2009 that has massive mid-palate depth and a monster finish. Raised all in new oak, it should be drinkable at an earlier age than the '10, yet have a similar evolution.Inc. VAT£1,861.49 -
Vinous (96)
Opaque ruby. Intensely perfumed, spice- and mineral accented blackberry, cherry liqueur, potpourri, pipe tobacco and licorice on the penetrating nose. Sweet, spicy and focused on the palate, displaying impressively deep, ripe dark berry, kirsch, exotic spice and fruitcake flavors that slowly flesh out with aeration. Shows superb clarity and drive and finishes smoky and impressively long, with steadily building tannins and a lingering suggestion of candied violet.Inc. VAT£968.69 -
Wine Advocate (99)
While I've had multiple looks at previous vintages, this is my first review of the 2018 Hermitage Ligne de Crete Les Grandes Vignes. Inky in hue, it boasts powerful, brooding aromas that include hints of hardwood charcoal, dark berries, licorice, crushed stone and pencil shavings. Full-bodied and almost painfully intense, it's a huge, mouthfilling wine that seems capable of aging up to three decades. Rich, supple and creamy in texture, yet possessing remarkable length and retronasal nuance, it has to rank up there with some of the Hermitage hill's classics from other, more renowned producers. It certainly deserves a seat at that table and may be a candidate for a perfect score in the future.Inc. VAT£1,397.86 -
Vinous (94)
Opaque purple. Captivating aromas of boysenberry, dark cherry, pepper, spices, cocoa powder and smoky minerality. Then intense and penetrating in the mouth, with brilliantly fresh dark berry and kirsch flavors lifted by notes of cinnamon and star anise. Finishes pungent and impressively long, with a palate-saturating whiplash of dark berry and spice flavors. This wine calls for at least decade of aging. Only 900 bottles were slated to be sent to the American importer.Inc. VAT£1,131.64 -
Wine Advocate (95-97)
More finesse-oriented than the blockbuster style La Colline release, the 2015 Gigondas le Lieu Dit is another Grenache-dominated wine that comes from a cooler, late parcel of sandy soils located just beside the estate. Notes of strawberries, raspberries, crushed flowers, kirsch and spice all emerge from this full-bodied, utterly seamless, pure and gorgeously balanced beauty that doesn’t have a hard edge to be found. It will drink well for 10-15 years or more.Inc. VAT£443.08 -
Jeb Dunnuck (98+)
More bloody meat, black raspberries, wood smoke, spice, and truffle notes emerge from the 2017 Hermitage Le Méal, a massive, opulent effort that has loads of opulence and fruit, building tannins, a gorgeous mid-palate, and a monster finish. It's one of the finest wines I've tasted from this estate! It’s already approachable yet promises to evolve gracefully for 20-25 years or more.Inc. VAT£480.04 -
Jeb Dunnuck (97)
I loved the 2015 Côte Rôtie Château D'Ampuis from barrel, and this beauty does not disappoint from bottle. Coming from a handful of top sites, it’s made in the same fashion as the top La Las, seeing four years in new barrels. Deep purple-hued with a classic bouquet of black raspberries, jammy blackberries, acacia flowers, vanilla bean, and spice, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a rounded, expansive mid-palate, sweet tannins, and a great, great finish. Savvy readers will stock up on this beauty. Give it 3-5 years and enjoy over the following two decades or more.Inc. VAT£804.04 -
Inc. VAT£779.09 -
Unveiling the majesty that is the Henri Bonneau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Marie Beurrier 2016, an icon from the French wine prestige house Henri Bonneau. Sourced exclusively from vines grown within the southern Rhône's eminent Chateauneuf-du-Pape appellation, this grand cru is traditional at its heart. Henri Bonneau, a virtuoso of natural winemaking, allows each harvest to express its unique narrative through the wine, creating a beverage of superior integrity. The 2016 vintage of Marie Beurrier is a blend of mostly Grenache, with alluring notes of black cherry, wild herbs, and soft spices. The enduring finish, a hallmark of Bonneau's creations, is exquisite. This wine's enchanting characters can age gracefully for decades; perfect for savouring on special occasions. Experience the craftmanship of one of Rhône's last pioneers as you sip on Henri Bonneau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Marie Beurrier 2016.
Inc. VAT£1,107.64 -
Wine Advocate (94-96)
According to Marcel Bonneau on this visit, all of the 2012 wine will be bottled as Reserve des Celestins. Tasted from barrel, the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve des Celestins flirts with that fine line between deep, chocolaty richness and raisiny over-ripeness. This is full-bodied and powerful but silky at the same time. If it's bottled soon, it should be amazing.Inc. VAT£2,240.69 -
Vinous (97)
Opaque ruby. Vibrant blackberry, cherry, incense, Moroccan spice, potpourri and smoky mineral qualities on the expansive, seductively perfumed nose. Offers vibrant black and blue fruit, spicecake, olive and floral pastille flavors that show bright detail and energetic mineral lift. The floral and spice notes recur strongly on the youthfully gripping finish, which features mounting tannins and lingering smokiness.Inc. VAT£1,220.69 -
Decanter (97)
With cinnamon, orange, nutmeg characters, this is full-bodied but still fresh, with a real depth on the palate. It finishes dry and savoury, with dry spices, rose and a touch of meatiness. There’s some tannin on the tongue on the finish, too. A deeply complex rosé that could only be from Tavel. 24 months in foudres, then 24 months in bottle before release. Gently cloudy, and taking on a slightly orange note to the colour - showing some age.Inc. VAT£868.84 -
From famed Domaine La Barroche, the family-run winery in Southern Rhône, comes the splendid La Barroche Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2011. Crafted under the meticulous hand of Julien Barrot, this elegant gem is predominantly Grenache blended with Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault, exhibiting true southern Rhône character fused with Barrot's unique flair. Basking in the radiant Provençal sun, hand-selected grapes from ancient vines - some nearing 100 years old - are traditionally vinified, ensuring the authenticity and depth of the wine. In bottle, the La Barroche Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2011 is a sensory spectacle. On the nose, the bouquet is melodious, bursting with raspberry, mulberry, spice, and earthy nuances. The palate is harmoniously balanced with smooth tannins, highlighting notes of red fruit, liquorice and scented herbs, finishing in a mystical, lingering complexity. A delectable vintage, the La Barroche Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2011 is an absolute delight for any discerning palate.
Inc. VAT£489.89 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
The 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Pure is the standard 100% Grenache, from a single parcel of old vines located at the intersection of the Grand Pierre, Rayas, and Pointu lieux-dits, that was brought up all in a single foudre. Coming from sandy, cooler soils, it offers a surprisingly dark purple hue to go with a stunning nose of black cherry liqueur, wild strawberries, roasted herbs, licorice, graphite, and chalky minerality. Straight-up stunning, with full-bodied richness and a voluptuous, seamless texture carrying awesome tannins and a monster of a finish, this stunning Grenache brings classic power and richness with no sensation of weight or heaviness. It reminds me of the 2005 and is a sensational Châteauneuf du Pape that will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for two decades. Hats off (again) to the genius of the young Julien Barrot!Inc. VAT£743.09 -
Vinous (94)
Brilliant ruby. Deeply perfumed red and blue fruit and floral aromas are complemented by suggestions of exotic spices, licorice and smoky minerals. Juicy and concentrated in style, offering appealingly sweet cherry and raspberry liqueur flavors that become livelier and spicier as the wine opens up. Shows impressive power and breadth, and the long, floral- and spice-driven finish is shaped by steadily building tannins. Note that there was no Vieilles Vignes bottling made in 2018.Inc. VAT£433.49 -
Vinous - Josh Raynolds (92-94)
Deep, saturated ruby. Pungent, spicy aromas of cassis, blackberry, leather, tobacco and green Chartreuse. Very rich, dense and chewy, offering a powerful dark fruit and wild game character complicated by tobacco and licorice root. As sweet and lush as this is, it's solidly framed by powerful tannins. This has serious extract and impressive muscle, finishing on a note of hot asphalt.Inc. VAT£896.44 -
James Suckling (97-98)
Very spicy and peppery with blue-granite aromas plus hints of grilled and smoked meat. Cloves and nutmeg. Full body, round and juicy tannins and a super spicy finish that almost burns with so much character yet turns fine and focused at the end. A beauty.Inc. VAT£970.84 -
Matthew Jukes (20++)
Like La Maison Bleue, La Chapelle barely moved an inch over the five days that it sat open (and gradually oxidising) on my tasting bench. This is a monumental wine with the finest Syrah nose I have seen since the ethereal and intriguing beauty of the remarkable 2016 vintage and also the monolithic stance of the legendary 1990. However, this is not to say that this vintage can be directly compared to either year. There is a latent power about this wine that is as elusive as it is impressive. This solaire vintage has certainly given La Chapelle a sense of foreboding power and yet there is so much grace here, too. You could be sniffing a handful of granite and gravel, a bouquet of freshly picked herbs, a mortar of freshly ground pepper or a punnet of juicy black fruit and yet there is so much more to discover here. What I find so remarkable about this wine is that it does not show any trace of over-ripeness nor does it have any unwanted oiliness or excessive alcohol. In spite of its richness and depth, this is a pristinely refreshing wine with crunch and crackle of filigree tannin which enlivens every sip. In this regard, it is a far less obvious superstar than the preening 1990 and it is a more erudite and statuesque model than the esoteric 2016. In short, this is one of only a handful of vintages of La Chapelle to which I have awarded a perfect score and who is to say that this will not happen again before too long? The care and attention in this entire portfolio of wines are evident and the hard work and holistic approach are not only paying off in the vineyards but also in the glass, too, and this makes 2019 another phenomenally successful vintage for Jaboulet.Inc. VAT£989.86 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
I was also able to taste the 2016 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Da Capo, which comes mostly from older vines in the La Crau lieu-dit and spends an additional year in a large foudre. The 2016 vintage was truly magical for the region, and this Cuvée Da Capo is unquestionably one of the finest vintages for this cuvée ever made, in the same league as, if not surpassing, the 1998, 2003, 2007, and 2010. Sensational notes of cured meats, crème de cassis, crushed violets, ground pepper, tapenade, truffle, and sweet herbes de Provence all soar from the glass and it hits the palate with a massive, full-bodied style that stays seamless, weightless, and as pure as they come. Traditional, classic Châteauneuf Du Pape doesn’t get better. I hate to be the guy who throws out the “best to date” line very often, but this is truly magical stuff.Inc. VAT£1,805.86 -
Vinous (91)
Bright violet. Mineral-accented cherry, dark berry and violet scents are complicated by hints of olive, cracked pepper and licorice. Seamless and broad on the palate, offering juicy blackberry and bitter cherry flavors that become sweeter and livelier with air. A subtle floral pastille note appears on the clinging finish, which shows good delineation and harmonious tannins.Inc. VAT£173.09 -
Inc. VAT£691.49 -
Vinous (93-96)
Opaque ruby. A sexy, intensely perfumed bouquet evokes fresh blue fruits, Asian spices, smoky minerals and candied flowers. Sappy, expansive and pure on the palate, offering impressively concentrated black raspberry and boysenberry flavors that become livelier and sweeter with air. Ripe and broad yet lithe on the tenacious finish, which displays sneaky tannins and repeating blue fruit and floral flavors.Inc. VAT£1,773.64
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Wine Advocate (96)
Only produced in top vintages (this is the first since 2012), the 2015 Cornas Vieilles Fontaines comes from 80-year-old vines within the La Fontaine lieu-dit. It's a tough wine to evaluate at this stage, as it's quite closed and reticent on the nose, showing some crushed-stone notes and typical granite-based austerity, but on the palate it shows great purity of fruit and vigor. It's full-bodied but tight-laced, focused on driving through the long finish like a thoroughbred down the stretch. Give it at least 5 years in the cellar.In Bond£883.00 -
Vinous (96)
Opaque ruby. Powerful, spice- and mineral-accented black and blue fruit preserve scents show superb focus and pick up smoked meat, olive and potpourri nuances with air. Sappy, deeply concentrated and energetic as well, offering juicy, spice-driven cassis, blueberry, bitter cherry and floral pastille flavors that are firmed by a core of smoky minerality. Blends power and finesse with a sure hand and finishes extremely long and minerally, with steadily building tannins and resonating blue fruit and floral notes. Made with one-third whole clusters.In Bond£681.00 -
Vinous (95)
Vivid purple. Displays expansive, finely detailed aromas of blueberry, kirsch, black pepper, violet and exotic spices, with hints of olive and cola in the background. Fleshy and broad in the mouth, offering deeply concentrated black and blue fruit preserve, smoky bacon and floral pastille flavors that are lifted and brightened by a building mineral nuance. Chewy and appealingly sweet on the strikingly persistent finish, which features youthfully chewy tannins and resonating florality.In Bond£454.00 -
Wine Spectator (98)
This offers a drop-dead gorgeous core of cassis and raspberry pâte de fruit flavors that hold center stage but still allow notes of Lapsang souchong tea, anise, incense and shiso leaf to chime in. Very long, with a sublime feel through the mineral-tinged finish. So seductive already, but this should cruise in the cellar. Drink now through 2040. 6,000 cases made.In Bond£670.00 -
Jancis Robinson (18)
Leather and spiced notes, pure with good fresh vivacity on the nose. The palate is ripe and seductive, layered with forest fruits, dark spiced figs. Attractive refreshing acidity, red fruits and a wild garrigue savoury Mourvèdre note – the tannins are supple and silky – dark forest-fruits finish which is broad, ample and opulent but always with a finesse of tannins and a savoury liquorice mineral note.In Bond£447.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (97+)
Moving to the tiny production 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Les Quartz, which is mostly Grenache with around 25% or so of Syrah, it has a rich, full-bodied, dense, and almost backward style to go with powerful black fruits, ground pepper, and violet aromas and flavors. I love its purity of fruit, and it builds nicely with time in the glass, showing more mid-palate depth as well as ripe tannins. It’s a stunning bottle of wine, but patience will be required. Hide bottles for 4-5 years and enjoy over the following two decades.In Bond£471.00 -
Wine Advocate (90)
The 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape retains a vibrant dark hue, but it has moved into a savory, meaty, mushroomy phase. It's still full-bodied and supple, turning silky and warm on the finish. Drink up.In Bond£423.00 -
Wine Advocate (94)
One of the vintage's top wines, the 2008 Chateauneuf du Pape la Combe des Fous continues to drink splendidly. Brandied cherries and dried herbs mark the nose, while the full-bodied palate is velvety and open-knit, with shadings of cocoa and a bit of savory, meaty development. It does dry out a bit as it sits in the glass, but it should continue to drink well through 2020 at least.In Bond£659.00 -
Wine Advocate (97+)
Another killer Cote Rotie is the 2009 Cote Rotie la Landonne and it's a bigger, rich, more opulent version of the 2010. Raspberries, chocolate, exotic flowers, violets and ample minerality all give way to a full-bodied, seamless, layered 2009 that has massive mid-palate depth and a monster finish. Raised all in new oak, it should be drinkable at an earlier age than the '10, yet have a similar evolution.In Bond£1,532.00 -
Vinous (96)
Opaque ruby. Intensely perfumed, spice- and mineral accented blackberry, cherry liqueur, potpourri, pipe tobacco and licorice on the penetrating nose. Sweet, spicy and focused on the palate, displaying impressively deep, ripe dark berry, kirsch, exotic spice and fruitcake flavors that slowly flesh out with aeration. Shows superb clarity and drive and finishes smoky and impressively long, with steadily building tannins and a lingering suggestion of candied violet.In Bond£788.00 -
Wine Advocate (99)
While I've had multiple looks at previous vintages, this is my first review of the 2018 Hermitage Ligne de Crete Les Grandes Vignes. Inky in hue, it boasts powerful, brooding aromas that include hints of hardwood charcoal, dark berries, licorice, crushed stone and pencil shavings. Full-bodied and almost painfully intense, it's a huge, mouthfilling wine that seems capable of aging up to three decades. Rich, supple and creamy in texture, yet possessing remarkable length and retronasal nuance, it has to rank up there with some of the Hermitage hill's classics from other, more renowned producers. It certainly deserves a seat at that table and may be a candidate for a perfect score in the future.In Bond£1,145.00 -
Vinous (94)
Opaque purple. Captivating aromas of boysenberry, dark cherry, pepper, spices, cocoa powder and smoky minerality. Then intense and penetrating in the mouth, with brilliantly fresh dark berry and kirsch flavors lifted by notes of cinnamon and star anise. Finishes pungent and impressively long, with a palate-saturating whiplash of dark berry and spice flavors. This wine calls for at least decade of aging. Only 900 bottles were slated to be sent to the American importer.In Bond£927.00 -
Wine Advocate (95-97)
More finesse-oriented than the blockbuster style La Colline release, the 2015 Gigondas le Lieu Dit is another Grenache-dominated wine that comes from a cooler, late parcel of sandy soils located just beside the estate. Notes of strawberries, raspberries, crushed flowers, kirsch and spice all emerge from this full-bodied, utterly seamless, pure and gorgeously balanced beauty that doesn’t have a hard edge to be found. It will drink well for 10-15 years or more.In Bond£349.99 -
Jeb Dunnuck (98+)
More bloody meat, black raspberries, wood smoke, spice, and truffle notes emerge from the 2017 Hermitage Le Méal, a massive, opulent effort that has loads of opulence and fruit, building tannins, a gorgeous mid-palate, and a monster finish. It's one of the finest wines I've tasted from this estate! It’s already approachable yet promises to evolve gracefully for 20-25 years or more.In Bond£384.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (97)
I loved the 2015 Côte Rôtie Château D'Ampuis from barrel, and this beauty does not disappoint from bottle. Coming from a handful of top sites, it’s made in the same fashion as the top La Las, seeing four years in new barrels. Deep purple-hued with a classic bouquet of black raspberries, jammy blackberries, acacia flowers, vanilla bean, and spice, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a rounded, expansive mid-palate, sweet tannins, and a great, great finish. Savvy readers will stock up on this beauty. Give it 3-5 years and enjoy over the following two decades or more.In Bond£654.00 -
In Bond£630.00
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Unveiling the majesty that is the Henri Bonneau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Marie Beurrier 2016, an icon from the French wine prestige house Henri Bonneau. Sourced exclusively from vines grown within the southern Rhône's eminent Chateauneuf-du-Pape appellation, this grand cru is traditional at its heart. Henri Bonneau, a virtuoso of natural winemaking, allows each harvest to express its unique narrative through the wine, creating a beverage of superior integrity. The 2016 vintage of Marie Beurrier is a blend of mostly Grenache, with alluring notes of black cherry, wild herbs, and soft spices. The enduring finish, a hallmark of Bonneau's creations, is exquisite. This wine's enchanting characters can age gracefully for decades; perfect for savouring on special occasions. Experience the craftmanship of one of Rhône's last pioneers as you sip on Henri Bonneau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Marie Beurrier 2016.
In Bond£907.00 -
Wine Advocate (94-96)
According to Marcel Bonneau on this visit, all of the 2012 wine will be bottled as Reserve des Celestins. Tasted from barrel, the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve des Celestins flirts with that fine line between deep, chocolaty richness and raisiny over-ripeness. This is full-bodied and powerful but silky at the same time. If it's bottled soon, it should be amazing.In Bond£1,848.00 -
Vinous (97)
Opaque ruby. Vibrant blackberry, cherry, incense, Moroccan spice, potpourri and smoky mineral qualities on the expansive, seductively perfumed nose. Offers vibrant black and blue fruit, spicecake, olive and floral pastille flavors that show bright detail and energetic mineral lift. The floral and spice notes recur strongly on the youthfully gripping finish, which features mounting tannins and lingering smokiness.In Bond£998.00 -
Decanter (97)
With cinnamon, orange, nutmeg characters, this is full-bodied but still fresh, with a real depth on the palate. It finishes dry and savoury, with dry spices, rose and a touch of meatiness. There’s some tannin on the tongue on the finish, too. A deeply complex rosé that could only be from Tavel. 24 months in foudres, then 24 months in bottle before release. Gently cloudy, and taking on a slightly orange note to the colour - showing some age.In Bond£708.00 -
From famed Domaine La Barroche, the family-run winery in Southern Rhône, comes the splendid La Barroche Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2011. Crafted under the meticulous hand of Julien Barrot, this elegant gem is predominantly Grenache blended with Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault, exhibiting true southern Rhône character fused with Barrot's unique flair. Basking in the radiant Provençal sun, hand-selected grapes from ancient vines - some nearing 100 years old - are traditionally vinified, ensuring the authenticity and depth of the wine. In bottle, the La Barroche Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2011 is a sensory spectacle. On the nose, the bouquet is melodious, bursting with raspberry, mulberry, spice, and earthy nuances. The palate is harmoniously balanced with smooth tannins, highlighting notes of red fruit, liquorice and scented herbs, finishing in a mystical, lingering complexity. A delectable vintage, the La Barroche Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2011 is an absolute delight for any discerning palate.
In Bond£389.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
The 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Pure is the standard 100% Grenache, from a single parcel of old vines located at the intersection of the Grand Pierre, Rayas, and Pointu lieux-dits, that was brought up all in a single foudre. Coming from sandy, cooler soils, it offers a surprisingly dark purple hue to go with a stunning nose of black cherry liqueur, wild strawberries, roasted herbs, licorice, graphite, and chalky minerality. Straight-up stunning, with full-bodied richness and a voluptuous, seamless texture carrying awesome tannins and a monster of a finish, this stunning Grenache brings classic power and richness with no sensation of weight or heaviness. It reminds me of the 2005 and is a sensational Châteauneuf du Pape that will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for two decades. Hats off (again) to the genius of the young Julien Barrot!In Bond£600.00 -
Vinous (94)
Brilliant ruby. Deeply perfumed red and blue fruit and floral aromas are complemented by suggestions of exotic spices, licorice and smoky minerals. Juicy and concentrated in style, offering appealingly sweet cherry and raspberry liqueur flavors that become livelier and spicier as the wine opens up. Shows impressive power and breadth, and the long, floral- and spice-driven finish is shaped by steadily building tannins. Note that there was no Vieilles Vignes bottling made in 2018.In Bond£342.00 -
Vinous - Josh Raynolds (92-94)
Deep, saturated ruby. Pungent, spicy aromas of cassis, blackberry, leather, tobacco and green Chartreuse. Very rich, dense and chewy, offering a powerful dark fruit and wild game character complicated by tobacco and licorice root. As sweet and lush as this is, it's solidly framed by powerful tannins. This has serious extract and impressive muscle, finishing on a note of hot asphalt.In Bond£731.00 -
James Suckling (97-98)
Very spicy and peppery with blue-granite aromas plus hints of grilled and smoked meat. Cloves and nutmeg. Full body, round and juicy tannins and a super spicy finish that almost burns with so much character yet turns fine and focused at the end. A beauty.In Bond£793.00 -
Matthew Jukes (20++)
Like La Maison Bleue, La Chapelle barely moved an inch over the five days that it sat open (and gradually oxidising) on my tasting bench. This is a monumental wine with the finest Syrah nose I have seen since the ethereal and intriguing beauty of the remarkable 2016 vintage and also the monolithic stance of the legendary 1990. However, this is not to say that this vintage can be directly compared to either year. There is a latent power about this wine that is as elusive as it is impressive. This solaire vintage has certainly given La Chapelle a sense of foreboding power and yet there is so much grace here, too. You could be sniffing a handful of granite and gravel, a bouquet of freshly picked herbs, a mortar of freshly ground pepper or a punnet of juicy black fruit and yet there is so much more to discover here. What I find so remarkable about this wine is that it does not show any trace of over-ripeness nor does it have any unwanted oiliness or excessive alcohol. In spite of its richness and depth, this is a pristinely refreshing wine with crunch and crackle of filigree tannin which enlivens every sip. In this regard, it is a far less obvious superstar than the preening 1990 and it is a more erudite and statuesque model than the esoteric 2016. In short, this is one of only a handful of vintages of La Chapelle to which I have awarded a perfect score and who is to say that this will not happen again before too long? The care and attention in this entire portfolio of wines are evident and the hard work and holistic approach are not only paying off in the vineyards but also in the glass, too, and this makes 2019 another phenomenally successful vintage for Jaboulet.In Bond£805.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
I was also able to taste the 2016 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Da Capo, which comes mostly from older vines in the La Crau lieu-dit and spends an additional year in a large foudre. The 2016 vintage was truly magical for the region, and this Cuvée Da Capo is unquestionably one of the finest vintages for this cuvée ever made, in the same league as, if not surpassing, the 1998, 2003, 2007, and 2010. Sensational notes of cured meats, crème de cassis, crushed violets, ground pepper, tapenade, truffle, and sweet herbes de Provence all soar from the glass and it hits the palate with a massive, full-bodied style that stays seamless, weightless, and as pure as they come. Traditional, classic Châteauneuf Du Pape doesn’t get better. I hate to be the guy who throws out the “best to date” line very often, but this is truly magical stuff.In Bond£1,485.00 -
Vinous (91)
Bright violet. Mineral-accented cherry, dark berry and violet scents are complicated by hints of olive, cracked pepper and licorice. Seamless and broad on the palate, offering juicy blackberry and bitter cherry flavors that become sweeter and livelier with air. A subtle floral pastille note appears on the clinging finish, which shows good delineation and harmonious tannins.In Bond£125.00 -
In Bond£557.00
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Vinous (93-96)
Opaque ruby. A sexy, intensely perfumed bouquet evokes fresh blue fruits, Asian spices, smoky minerals and candied flowers. Sappy, expansive and pure on the palate, offering impressively concentrated black raspberry and boysenberry flavors that become livelier and sweeter with air. Ripe and broad yet lithe on the tenacious finish, which displays sneaky tannins and repeating blue fruit and floral flavors.In Bond£1,462.00
