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

Delas-Freres Hermitage "Les Bessards" 2015 Magnum

Country: France
Region: Rhone Valley
Sub Region: Hermitage

Delas-Freres Hermitage "Les Bessards" 2016 Magnum

"The 2016 Hermitage Les Bessards offers more violets and floral notions with hints of blue fruits (cassis blueberries) full-bodied richness and building sweet polished tannin. It's another ripe opulent 2016 that's going to drink nicely in its youth yet age gracefully given its purity and balance. While a step back from the otherworldly 2015 this brilliant wine is one of the gems in the vintage.94-97 points" - Jeb Dunnuck

"Typically Bessards showing granite smoke and smoky bacon on the nose. … more

Country: France
Region: Rhone Valley
Sub Region: Hermitage

Domaine de la Vieille Julienne Châteauneuf-du-Pape "Réserve" 2016

A modern-day legend in the making is the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve from Jean-Paul Daumen, This Grenache-dominated effort was brought up all in foudre and tastes like the essence of this incredible terroir located on the northern edge of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Winemaker Jean-Paul Duamen says that the very old vines, low yields and natural approach make the base of this wine, but it's in the microclimate of the north facing terroir of slopes that forges its character. Deeply purple, with aromatics recalling … more

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

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

Roger Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape Secrét de Sabon 2019

"The tiny production 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Le Secret Des Sabon is a field blend of mostly

Grenache brought up all in wooden tronconique barrels. It's closest in style to the Prestige Cuvée yet

brings another level of opulence and richness without losing any sense of elegance or class.

Blackberries, peppery herbs, graphite, crushed violets, and a liquid rock-like minerality all define the

nose, and it hits the palate with incredible depth of fruit, full-bodied richness, and ripe yet building … more

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

Roger Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape Secrét de Sabon 2017

99 points Jeb Dunnuck

"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 … more

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

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

Roger Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape Secrét de Sabon 2016

"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, ultrafine, 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." 99 Jeb Dunnuck

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

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 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 René Rostaing Côte-Rôtie Ampodium 2020 Magnum

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

Chateau Mont-Redon Châteauneuf-du-Pape "Le Plateau" 2016

Made in small volumes only in the best years, this comes from plots chosen on the high plateau of galets roules. It sees more oak and a higher proportion of new oak, but because of the concentration in the 2016 and 2017 vintages, it's not especially noticeable. These aren't big, extracted wines but wines that feel comfortable and balanced. The blend is 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah, and the result is a top-notch effort, boasting explosive aromas of cherries, cocoa … more

Country: France
Producer: Chateau Mont-Redon
Region: Rhone Valley
Sub Region: Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Clos Des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2019

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