France
The vast and diverse wine regions of France, each with its own unique terroirs, grape varieties, and winemaking techniques, are a treasure trove.
In Bordeaux, the birthplace of some of the world's most iconic wines, esteemed vineyards such as Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Margaux, Château Latour, and Château Haut-Brion produce exceptional red wines, showcasing the art of blending Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. The region is also renowned for its exquisite white wines, with vineyards like Château d'Yquem and Domaine de Chevalier producing legendary sweet wines.
Moving to Burgundy, the vineyards of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Domaine Leroy, and Domaine Armand Rousseau capture the essence of the region's revered terroir, crafting exquisite red wines from the Pinot Noir grape. Meanwhile, Domaine Leflaive and Domaine Coche-Dury are celebrated for their world-class white wines, predominantly made from Chardonnay.
The Champagne region, known for its sparkling wines, boasts illustrious houses such as Krug, Dom Pérignon, and Moët & Chandon, as well as grower-producers like Pierre Péters and Jacques Selosse. These vineyards create exceptional sparkling wines using the traditional method, offering a symphony of delicate bubbles, elegant flavors, and vibrant acidity.
In the Rhône Valley, iconic vineyards like Chapoutier, E. Guigal, and Château de Beaucastel produce remarkable red wines in the northern appellations of Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, and Cornas, showcasing the elegance and power of Syrah. Further south, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is celebrated for its rich and full-bodied red blends, with Château Rayas and Clos des Papes leading the way.
In Alsace, vineyards such as Domaine Zind-Humbrecht and omaine Trimbach craft exquisite white wines, including Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Gris, expressing the region's unique terroir and varietal character.
These are just a few highlights among the diverse array of wines that France offers. From the Loire Valley's crisp whites and elegant reds to the Languedoc-Roussillon's bold and robust wines, each region presents its own vinous treasures.
France
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Inc. VAT£790.01 -
Wine Advocate (95)
The brilliant 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Prestige (60% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, and the balance almost every other authorized red grape of the appellation) is produced from parcels that average 90 years of age or older. It reveals the essence of Provence in its dense plum/purple color and powerful aromatics of sweet creme de cassis, black cherries, licorice, lavender, pepper, and incense. The wine possesses terrific depth, a blockbuster, opulent, multilayered texture, and a finish that lasts nearly 50 seconds. This sensational Chateauneuf du Pape should drink well for 15-20 years.Inc. VAT£596.81 -
(12x75cl) 2010Wine Advocate (96)
An absolutely profound offering, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Prestige requires 5-6 years of cellaring given its massive concentration and tannic structure. The wine was relatively closed the day I tasted it, but it did display an inky/purple color along with hints of camphor, graphite, creme de cassis, kirsch, licorice and espresso beans. Full-bodied and moderately tannic with gorgeous freshness, glycerin and a skyscraper-like texture, this superb cuvee should be at its finest between 2018-2030+.Inc. VAT£598.18 -
(12x75cl) 2012Vinous (91)
Inky ruby. Deeply pitched black and blue fruit aromas display very good clarity, picking up notes of star anise and smoky minerals with air. Supple and creamy on the palate, with intense blueberry and floral pastille flavors given lift by juicy acidity. Clings with strong tenacity on the smoothly tannic finish.Inc. VAT£546.58 -
(6x150cl) 2012Vinous (91)
Inky ruby. Deeply pitched black and blue fruit aromas display very good clarity, picking up notes of star anise and smoky minerals with air. Supple and creamy on the palate, with intense blueberry and floral pastille flavors given lift by juicy acidity. Clings with strong tenacity on the smoothly tannic finish.Inc. VAT£534.58 -
Jeb Dunnuck (94-96)
The same blend as the 2016, the 2017 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Prestige is another inky colored wine from this estate that has an elegant, mineral-laced, balanced profile that’s very much in the style of the 2017 vintage. Blackberries, raspberries, crushed rocks, ground pepper, and violet notes all give way to a full-bodied 2017 that has terrific purity, no hard edges, building tannin, and a great finish. It's going to hit the ground running and cruise in good cellars for two decades. It has slightly more freshness and minerality than the Reserve cuvée.Inc. VAT£235.63 -
Wine Advocate (94-96)
There's a purity of fruit to this wine that's remarkable, year after year. The 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape Prestige showcases cherries and blueberries, backed by subtle power and gentle structure. Full-bodied, creamy and lush yet bright, intense and long on the finish, it's a terrific effort.Inc. VAT£415.63 -
Vinous (95)
The 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Prestige is a terrific success. Dazzling aromas of ripe raspberry, red and black cherry, blueberry, black plum, dried thyme, bay leaves, licorice, cured meat and a pinch of white pepper waft from the glass. Full-bodied, concentrated and enveloped in velvety tannins, it is well-balanced by lively acidity, ending with a bold finish.Inc. VAT£319.63 -
Wine Advocate (94-96)
The full-bodied 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape Prestige boasts fascinating aromas of garrigue and black raspberries. Despite its considerable heft, the wine is balanced, silky and plush, with a long, lingering finish. Sexy stuff.Inc. VAT£243.20 -
(1x75cl) 1998Wine Advocate (100)
A rock-star 1999 that's drinking at point (like most wines in the vintage today), it should continue to evolve nicely going forward. Shockingly good, the 1998 Chateauneuf du Pape le Secret du Sabon tastes like a hypothetical blend of the 2007 and the 2001. Powerful, massive, concentrated and beautifully ripe, it offers notions of kirsch, currants, peppered meats, Asian spice and licorice in its seamless, yet voluptuous and hedonistic personality. It's a crazy good bottle of wine that could be considered over-the-top by some, but who cares when it's this good? If I had bottles, I'd line them up for drinking as you don't want to miss this beauty while it's drinking at point.Inc. VAT£417.85 -
Wine Advocate (98)
The best showing yet from this cuvee (I rated in 96+ earlier this year), the 2005 Châteauneuf du Pape Le Secret de Sabon is a brilliant success and easily in the top handful of wines in the vintage. Made from mostly Grenache (it’s a field blend and the exact blend is unknown) and aged 18 months in demi-muids, it offers a full-bodied, powerful, yet perfectly balanced feel on the palate to go with knockout notes of black raspberry, currants, garrigue, licorice and Provencal herbs. Still youthful, yet drinking spectacularly today, it will continue to knock your socks off for another decade or more.Inc. VAT£144.53 -
(6x75cl) 2005Wine Advocate (98)
The best showing yet from this cuvee (I rated in 96+ earlier this year), the 2005 Châteauneuf du Pape Le Secret de Sabon is a brilliant success and easily in the top handful of wines in the vintage. Made from mostly Grenache (it’s a field blend and the exact blend is unknown) and aged 18 months in demi-muids, it offers a full-bodied, powerful, yet perfectly balanced feel on the palate to go with knockout notes of black raspberry, currants, garrigue, licorice and Provencal herbs. Still youthful, yet drinking spectacularly today, it will continue to knock your socks off for another decade or more.Inc. VAT£1,141.49 -
Wine Advocate (99)
One of the sexiest, most decadent and unctuous wines in the vintage, the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape le Secret de Sabon (95% Grenache and the rest a mix of permitted varieties) boasts a youthful ruby/purple-tinged color as well as a heavenly array of black raspberries, crushed flowers, spice and incense. Despite all its size and richness, it still glides across the palate with a weightless, elegant style, and this total hedonistic turn-on is ideal for drinking anytime over the coming 15+ years.Inc. VAT£618.14 -
(3x150cl) 2010Wine Advocate (99+)
On another level, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Le Secret du Sabon is insanely good and possibly up there with some of the greatest Chateauneufs ever made. Loaded with notions of black fruits, black licorice, roasted herbs and olive tapenade, it's a thrilling example of Grenache and of Chateauneuf du Pape. Full-bodied, massively concentrated and structured, it's not for those looking for immediate appeal and needs another 4-5 years in the cellar.Inc. VAT£1,933.49 -
Wine Advocate (99+)
On another level, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Le Secret du Sabon is insanely good and possibly up there with some of the greatest Chateauneufs ever made. Loaded with notions of black fruits, black licorice, roasted herbs and olive tapenade, it's a thrilling example of Grenache and of Chateauneuf du Pape. Full-bodied, massively concentrated and structured, it's not for those looking for immediate appeal and needs another 4-5 years in the cellar.Inc. VAT£1,458.80 -
Jeb Dunnuck (99)
Unquestionably the deepest, richest wine in the lineup, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Le Secret des Sabon offers sensational notes of blackberries, cassis, crushed rocks, graphite, and bouquet garni. Full-bodied, ultra-fine, seamless, and pure, it has more elegance and purity than the 2010 and is reminiscent of the 2001. It's a gorgeous, extraordinary, layered, seamless Châteauneuf-du-Pape to drink over the coming two decades or more.Inc. VAT£780.80 -
(1x75cl) 2017Jeb Dunnuck (99)
On another level, the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Le Secret Des Sabon is stacked and packed and ranks with the top 2-3 wines in this great vintage. A huge nose of blackcurrants, melted licorice, graphite, garrigue and pepper gives way to an uber-full-bodied, concentrated, massively endowed wine that has an insane level of opulence and decadent, sweet tannins, and a huge finish. This is a tour de force in wine that readers need to taste to believe. Given its wealth of fruit and texture, it’s already approachable, yet a solid 4-5 years of bottle age are warranted, and it's going to keep for 25 years or more. Bravo! As always, this cuvée is a field blend that’s 95% Grenache, with the balance a mix of varieties, mostly from sandy soils, brought up in oak tronconique tanks.Inc. VAT£164.77 -
Wine Advocate (94-97)
As usual, the 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape le Secret de Sabon is nearly all Grenache, from two old-vine parcels. Raspberries, black cherries and chocolate overtones appear on the nose, while the palate is full-bodied, rich and concentrated. Licorice notes mark the long finish, framed by silky-creamy tannins.Inc. VAT£709.63 -
Wine Advocate (100)
Although it had only been a year or two since I last tasted it, I couldn't turn down a chance to retry the 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape le Secret de Sabon. This time, it was singing even more impressively than the last, with hints of asphalt giving way to wonderfully ripe black cherries on the nose. Full-bodied, rich, creamy, lush and intense, it's a powerful wine but one that also manages to be elegant, finishing long and velvety, with mocha and cocoa-powder shadings. It's a terrific marriage of power and elegance.Inc. VAT£1,170.43 -
Jeb Dunnuck (98)
Showing the class of the vintage, the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Le Secret Des Sabon reveals beautiful darker berries, meaty black cherries, sandalwood, and peppery garrigue nuances. It's medium to full-bodied, pure, and focused, with ripe, polished tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. I love the incredibly pure, layered, graceful, yet powerful style that defines this quintessential 2020. Drink 2025-2045.Inc. VAT£661.63 -
Jeb Dunnuck (97)
From a hot, dry year, the 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Le Secret Des Sabon is another big, rich wine that stays more focused and tight compared to the broader 2023 while still bringing full-bodied richness. Ripe black cherries, roasted garrigue, cured meats, and peppery spice define the aromatics, and it's beautifully concentrated, rich, and textured on the palate with ripe tannins. It will shine for two decades. Drink 2025-2045.Inc. VAT£671.09 -
Inc. VAT£214.66 -
Vinous (88)
Full ruby-red. Roasted red berries and roast coffee on the liqueur-like nose. Concentrated, dense and chewy, with port-like ripeness and elevated alcohol. Classic grenache flavors of red berry liqueur and chocolate. Finishes with big, chewy tannins.Inc. VAT£416.81 -
(12x75cl) 2007Vinous - Josh Raynolds (92-95)
Ruby-red. Intensely floral scents of raspberry, lavender, magnolia and garrigue Palate-coating red berry flavors are firmed by juicy acidity and complicated by smoky herbs and a sweet floral pastille quality. Finishes broad and precise, with supple tannins and considerable depth. This is one for the cellar.Inc. VAT£897.67 -
(12x75cl) 2010Vinous (92)
Dark purple. Expressive aromas of dark fruits, spicecake, garrigue and licorice. Ripe and harmonious, with a smoky quality and a medicinal touch to its plum and bitter cherry flavors. On the wild side but shows very good sweetness. Finishes with building tannins and firm grip, leaving a spicy note behind.Inc. VAT£571.61 -
(12x75cl) 2012Wine Advocate (93)
The 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reserve is knockout stuff. Full-bodied, textured and yet still elegant and finesse-oriented, it gives up tons of ground pepper, spice, new leather and black cherry nuances. Made from 80% Grenache and 10% each of Syrah and Mourvedre, it has excellent concentration, mouth-filling levels of fruit and a big finish. Drink this beauty over the coming decade.Inc. VAT£498.58 -
(6x75cl) 2020Inc. VAT£256.96 -
(12x75cl) 1998From the esteemed vineyards of Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, comes the refined Rol Valentin 1998. This vintage is a sophisticated blend, predominantly understated Merlot with a touch of inimitable Cabernet Franc. Handpicked at the peak of ripeness and aged in 100% new oak barrels, every sip of Rol Valentin 1998 exudes elegance and complexity. Its flamboyant aroma incorporates fresh berries, creamy vanilla oak, and subtle spice, evolving beautifully on the palate, layered with silky tannins and a long, expressive finish. The brainchild of experienced winemaker, Eric Prissette, this wine is testimony to the meticulous craftsmanship at Chateau Rol Valentin – where traditional methods harmonise with modern equipment, producing wines that are both unique and exceptional. An embodiment of Bordeaux’s noble wine heritage, Rol Valentin 1998 epitomises depth, richness, and harmonious balance that could only be derived from its illustrious limestone and clay terroir. A jewel among fine wines, Rol Valentin 1998 promises an unrivalled taste experience for discerning enthusiasts.
Inc. VAT£709.61 -
(12x75cl) 2005
Rol Valentin 2005 epitomises the pinnacle of fine winemaking, crafted meticulously in the esteemed vineyards of the Bordeaux region. This exquisite vintage boasts a blend of meticulously selected Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, harvested at optimal ripeness to ensure unparalleled depth and complexity. Under the stewardship of the Valentin family, renowned for their dedication to sustainable viticulture, each bottle undergoes a rigorous vinification process, including controlled fermentation in traditional oak barrels. The 2005 harvest benefited from a perfect balance of climate, resulting in a wine of remarkable structure and elegance, with layers of dark berry fruit, subtle spice, and refined tannins. Aged gracefully for nearly two decades, Rol Valentin 2005 offers a harmonious bouquet and a lingering finish, making it a distinguished addition to any connoisseur’s collection. This vintage not only reflects the rich heritage and expertise of Rol Valentin but also promises a memorable tasting experience that celebrates the art of fine wine.
Inc. VAT£700.66 -
(3x150cl) 2005Wine Spectator (95-100)
Currant and blackberry aromas follow through to a full-bodied palate, with fine tannins and a fresh finish. Lovely fruit and class in this. Always impressive in serious vintages. Sweet and seductive. Best ever. Score range: 95-100Inc. VAT£419.15
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In Bond£617.00
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Wine Advocate (95)
The brilliant 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Prestige (60% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, and the balance almost every other authorized red grape of the appellation) is produced from parcels that average 90 years of age or older. It reveals the essence of Provence in its dense plum/purple color and powerful aromatics of sweet creme de cassis, black cherries, licorice, lavender, pepper, and incense. The wine possesses terrific depth, a blockbuster, opulent, multilayered texture, and a finish that lasts nearly 50 seconds. This sensational Chateauneuf du Pape should drink well for 15-20 years.In Bond£456.00 -
(12x75cl) 2010
Wine Advocate (96)
An absolutely profound offering, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Prestige requires 5-6 years of cellaring given its massive concentration and tannic structure. The wine was relatively closed the day I tasted it, but it did display an inky/purple color along with hints of camphor, graphite, creme de cassis, kirsch, licorice and espresso beans. Full-bodied and moderately tannic with gorgeous freshness, glycerin and a skyscraper-like texture, this superb cuvee should be at its finest between 2018-2030+.In Bond£460.00 -
(12x75cl) 2012
Vinous (91)
Inky ruby. Deeply pitched black and blue fruit aromas display very good clarity, picking up notes of star anise and smoky minerals with air. Supple and creamy on the palate, with intense blueberry and floral pastille flavors given lift by juicy acidity. Clings with strong tenacity on the smoothly tannic finish.In Bond£417.00 -
(6x150cl) 2012
Vinous (91)
Inky ruby. Deeply pitched black and blue fruit aromas display very good clarity, picking up notes of star anise and smoky minerals with air. Supple and creamy on the palate, with intense blueberry and floral pastille flavors given lift by juicy acidity. Clings with strong tenacity on the smoothly tannic finish.In Bond£407.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (94-96)
The same blend as the 2016, the 2017 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Prestige is another inky colored wine from this estate that has an elegant, mineral-laced, balanced profile that’s very much in the style of the 2017 vintage. Blackberries, raspberries, crushed rocks, ground pepper, and violet notes all give way to a full-bodied 2017 that has terrific purity, no hard edges, building tannin, and a great finish. It's going to hit the ground running and cruise in good cellars for two decades. It has slightly more freshness and minerality than the Reserve cuvée.In Bond£175.00 -
Wine Advocate (94-96)
There's a purity of fruit to this wine that's remarkable, year after year. The 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape Prestige showcases cherries and blueberries, backed by subtle power and gentle structure. Full-bodied, creamy and lush yet bright, intense and long on the finish, it's a terrific effort.In Bond£325.00 -
Vinous (95)
The 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Prestige is a terrific success. Dazzling aromas of ripe raspberry, red and black cherry, blueberry, black plum, dried thyme, bay leaves, licorice, cured meat and a pinch of white pepper waft from the glass. Full-bodied, concentrated and enveloped in velvety tannins, it is well-balanced by lively acidity, ending with a bold finish.In Bond£245.00 -
Wine Advocate (94-96)
The full-bodied 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape Prestige boasts fascinating aromas of garrigue and black raspberries. Despite its considerable heft, the wine is balanced, silky and plush, with a long, lingering finish. Sexy stuff.In Bond£182.00 -
(1x75cl) 1998
Wine Advocate (100)
A rock-star 1999 that's drinking at point (like most wines in the vintage today), it should continue to evolve nicely going forward. Shockingly good, the 1998 Chateauneuf du Pape le Secret du Sabon tastes like a hypothetical blend of the 2007 and the 2001. Powerful, massive, concentrated and beautifully ripe, it offers notions of kirsch, currants, peppered meats, Asian spice and licorice in its seamless, yet voluptuous and hedonistic personality. It's a crazy good bottle of wine that could be considered over-the-top by some, but who cares when it's this good? If I had bottles, I'd line them up for drinking as you don't want to miss this beauty while it's drinking at point.In Bond£345.00 -
Wine Advocate (98)
The best showing yet from this cuvee (I rated in 96+ earlier this year), the 2005 Châteauneuf du Pape Le Secret de Sabon is a brilliant success and easily in the top handful of wines in the vintage. Made from mostly Grenache (it’s a field blend and the exact blend is unknown) and aged 18 months in demi-muids, it offers a full-bodied, powerful, yet perfectly balanced feel on the palate to go with knockout notes of black raspberry, currants, garrigue, licorice and Provencal herbs. Still youthful, yet drinking spectacularly today, it will continue to knock your socks off for another decade or more.In Bond£117.00 -
(6x75cl) 2005
Wine Advocate (98)
The best showing yet from this cuvee (I rated in 96+ earlier this year), the 2005 Châteauneuf du Pape Le Secret de Sabon is a brilliant success and easily in the top handful of wines in the vintage. Made from mostly Grenache (it’s a field blend and the exact blend is unknown) and aged 18 months in demi-muids, it offers a full-bodied, powerful, yet perfectly balanced feel on the palate to go with knockout notes of black raspberry, currants, garrigue, licorice and Provencal herbs. Still youthful, yet drinking spectacularly today, it will continue to knock your socks off for another decade or more.In Bond£932.00 -
Wine Advocate (99)
One of the sexiest, most decadent and unctuous wines in the vintage, the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape le Secret de Sabon (95% Grenache and the rest a mix of permitted varieties) boasts a youthful ruby/purple-tinged color as well as a heavenly array of black raspberries, crushed flowers, spice and incense. Despite all its size and richness, it still glides across the palate with a weightless, elegant style, and this total hedonistic turn-on is ideal for drinking anytime over the coming 15+ years.In Bond£508.00 -
(3x150cl) 2010
Wine Advocate (99+)
On another level, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Le Secret du Sabon is insanely good and possibly up there with some of the greatest Chateauneufs ever made. Loaded with notions of black fruits, black licorice, roasted herbs and olive tapenade, it's a thrilling example of Grenache and of Chateauneuf du Pape. Full-bodied, massively concentrated and structured, it's not for those looking for immediate appeal and needs another 4-5 years in the cellar.In Bond£1,592.00 -
Wine Advocate (99+)
On another level, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Le Secret du Sabon is insanely good and possibly up there with some of the greatest Chateauneufs ever made. Loaded with notions of black fruits, black licorice, roasted herbs and olive tapenade, it's a thrilling example of Grenache and of Chateauneuf du Pape. Full-bodied, massively concentrated and structured, it's not for those looking for immediate appeal and needs another 4-5 years in the cellar.In Bond£1,195.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (99)
Unquestionably the deepest, richest wine in the lineup, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Le Secret des Sabon offers sensational notes of blackberries, cassis, crushed rocks, graphite, and bouquet garni. Full-bodied, ultra-fine, seamless, and pure, it has more elegance and purity than the 2010 and is reminiscent of the 2001. It's a gorgeous, extraordinary, layered, seamless Châteauneuf-du-Pape to drink over the coming two decades or more.In Bond£630.00 -
(1x75cl) 2017
Jeb Dunnuck (99)
On another level, the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Le Secret Des Sabon is stacked and packed and ranks with the top 2-3 wines in this great vintage. A huge nose of blackcurrants, melted licorice, graphite, garrigue and pepper gives way to an uber-full-bodied, concentrated, massively endowed wine that has an insane level of opulence and decadent, sweet tannins, and a huge finish. This is a tour de force in wine that readers need to taste to believe. Given its wealth of fruit and texture, it’s already approachable, yet a solid 4-5 years of bottle age are warranted, and it's going to keep for 25 years or more. Bravo! As always, this cuvée is a field blend that’s 95% Grenache, with the balance a mix of varieties, mostly from sandy soils, brought up in oak tronconique tanks.In Bond£134.00 -
Wine Advocate (94-97)
As usual, the 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape le Secret de Sabon is nearly all Grenache, from two old-vine parcels. Raspberries, black cherries and chocolate overtones appear on the nose, while the palate is full-bodied, rich and concentrated. Licorice notes mark the long finish, framed by silky-creamy tannins.In Bond£570.00 -
Wine Advocate (100)
Although it had only been a year or two since I last tasted it, I couldn't turn down a chance to retry the 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape le Secret de Sabon. This time, it was singing even more impressively than the last, with hints of asphalt giving way to wonderfully ripe black cherries on the nose. Full-bodied, rich, creamy, lush and intense, it's a powerful wine but one that also manages to be elegant, finishing long and velvety, with mocha and cocoa-powder shadings. It's a terrific marriage of power and elegance.In Bond£954.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (98)
Showing the class of the vintage, the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Le Secret Des Sabon reveals beautiful darker berries, meaty black cherries, sandalwood, and peppery garrigue nuances. It's medium to full-bodied, pure, and focused, with ripe, polished tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. I love the incredibly pure, layered, graceful, yet powerful style that defines this quintessential 2020. Drink 2025-2045.In Bond£530.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (97)
From a hot, dry year, the 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Le Secret Des Sabon is another big, rich wine that stays more focused and tight compared to the broader 2023 while still bringing full-bodied richness. Ripe black cherries, roasted garrigue, cured meats, and peppery spice define the aromatics, and it's beautifully concentrated, rich, and textured on the palate with ripe tannins. It will shine for two decades. Drink 2025-2045.In Bond£540.00 -
In Bond£159.00
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Vinous (88)
Full ruby-red. Roasted red berries and roast coffee on the liqueur-like nose. Concentrated, dense and chewy, with port-like ripeness and elevated alcohol. Classic grenache flavors of red berry liqueur and chocolate. Finishes with big, chewy tannins.In Bond£306.00 -
(12x75cl) 2007
Vinous - Josh Raynolds (92-95)
Ruby-red. Intensely floral scents of raspberry, lavender, magnolia and garrigue Palate-coating red berry flavors are firmed by juicy acidity and complicated by smoky herbs and a sweet floral pastille quality. Finishes broad and precise, with supple tannins and considerable depth. This is one for the cellar.In Bond£716.00 -
(12x75cl) 2010
Vinous (92)
Dark purple. Expressive aromas of dark fruits, spicecake, garrigue and licorice. Ripe and harmonious, with a smoky quality and a medicinal touch to its plum and bitter cherry flavors. On the wild side but shows very good sweetness. Finishes with building tannins and firm grip, leaving a spicy note behind.In Bond£435.00 -
(12x75cl) 2012
Wine Advocate (93)
The 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reserve is knockout stuff. Full-bodied, textured and yet still elegant and finesse-oriented, it gives up tons of ground pepper, spice, new leather and black cherry nuances. Made from 80% Grenache and 10% each of Syrah and Mourvedre, it has excellent concentration, mouth-filling levels of fruit and a big finish. Drink this beauty over the coming decade.In Bond£377.00 -
(6x75cl) 2020In Bond£196.91
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(12x75cl) 1998
From the esteemed vineyards of Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, comes the refined Rol Valentin 1998. This vintage is a sophisticated blend, predominantly understated Merlot with a touch of inimitable Cabernet Franc. Handpicked at the peak of ripeness and aged in 100% new oak barrels, every sip of Rol Valentin 1998 exudes elegance and complexity. Its flamboyant aroma incorporates fresh berries, creamy vanilla oak, and subtle spice, evolving beautifully on the palate, layered with silky tannins and a long, expressive finish. The brainchild of experienced winemaker, Eric Prissette, this wine is testimony to the meticulous craftsmanship at Chateau Rol Valentin – where traditional methods harmonise with modern equipment, producing wines that are both unique and exceptional. An embodiment of Bordeaux’s noble wine heritage, Rol Valentin 1998 epitomises depth, richness, and harmonious balance that could only be derived from its illustrious limestone and clay terroir. A jewel among fine wines, Rol Valentin 1998 promises an unrivalled taste experience for discerning enthusiasts.
In Bond£550.00 -
(12x75cl) 2005
Rol Valentin 2005 epitomises the pinnacle of fine winemaking, crafted meticulously in the esteemed vineyards of the Bordeaux region. This exquisite vintage boasts a blend of meticulously selected Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, harvested at optimal ripeness to ensure unparalleled depth and complexity. Under the stewardship of the Valentin family, renowned for their dedication to sustainable viticulture, each bottle undergoes a rigorous vinification process, including controlled fermentation in traditional oak barrels. The 2005 harvest benefited from a perfect balance of climate, resulting in a wine of remarkable structure and elegance, with layers of dark berry fruit, subtle spice, and refined tannins. Aged gracefully for nearly two decades, Rol Valentin 2005 offers a harmonious bouquet and a lingering finish, making it a distinguished addition to any connoisseur’s collection. This vintage not only reflects the rich heritage and expertise of Rol Valentin but also promises a memorable tasting experience that celebrates the art of fine wine.
In Bond£544.00 -
(3x150cl) 2005
Wine Spectator (95-100)
Currant and blackberry aromas follow through to a full-bodied palate, with fine tannins and a fresh finish. Lovely fruit and class in this. Always impressive in serious vintages. Sweet and seductive. Best ever. Score range: 95-100In Bond£330.00
