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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.
RP9292 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 24th Sep 2020 Always one of the more garrigue-scented Châteauneufs, the Brunels’ 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape includes hints of lavender and bay leaf on the nose, alongside ripe cherries and hints of plum, cola and mocha. It’s medium to full-bodied, silky-textured and elegant, with no rough edges at all, so it goes down easily, even at this young age. I’d opt for drinking it over the next decade. Because of low yields, there’s no Cuvée Centenaire this year, with fruit from those vines being included here. (Joe Czerwinski)
VN9393 pts. - Vinous - Jan 2023 Bright ruby. Displays vibrant, sharply focused raspberry, cherry, potpourri and baking spice aromas, with hints of cola and succulent herbs. Shows fine delineation and spicy lift to its bitter cherry and red berry flavors, which become sweeter as the wine opens up. Echoes the floral and spice notes on a long, penetrating finish that’s framed by subtle, fine-grained tannins. (Josh Raynolds)JD9292 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - 3/16/2023 As to the 2020s from bottle, these are all beautiful wines as well. The 2020 Gigondas Tradition Le Grand Montmirail has a round, supple, quintessential Gigondas style as well as notes of red and black fruits, Provençal garrigue, sandalwood, and leather. Medium-bodied, soft, and ready to go, it’s going to evolve nicely for 7–8 years, probably longer, although I see no need to delay gratification. The blend is 70% Grenache and 10% each of Cinsault, Mourvèdre, and Syrah, aged 60% in vats and 40% in used demi-muids. As with all the wines here, it was completely destemmed. (Jeb Dunnuck)
JD9898 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - November 19, 2020 From a cooler parcel of pure granite soils, the 2018 Cornas Les Eygats is probably the most classic Cornas in the lineup (although these all have plenty of Cornas character) with its more mineral, iron, and almost bloody style. Loaded with massive amounts of blue and black fruits, violets, and crushed rock nuances, this full-bodied, multi-dimensional, seamless Cornas has polished tannins, flawless balance, and a monster of a finish. This broad, expansive, sexy Cornas should drink well for 20+ years. (Jeb Dunnuck)SP9393 pts. - Wine Spectator - Feb 3, 2021 Alluringly dark, with winey plum sauce and black currant fruit drawing you in, while savory, olive and bramble notes course underneath. Racy mineral edge leaves a mouthwatering feel and is a worthy foil to the toasty overlay on the finish. Best from 2022 through 2032. 450 cases made, 50 cases imported.
SP9393 pts. - Wine Spectator - Web only – 2022 This is ripe, juicy and mouthfilling, with lots of enticing raspberry, boysenberry and fig compote flavors enlivened with anise, fruitcake and mulling spice accents. Shows good energy through the finish. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Best from 2023 through 2036. 3,500 cases made, 1,000 cases imported.JD9090 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - 11/3/2021 The base 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape from Cristia is a terrific effort well worth seeking out. Black cherries, blackberries, ground pepper, orange blossom, and assorted spice notes all emerge on the nose, and this puppy is up-front, medium to full-bodied, and ready to go, with a soft, delicious style ideal for drinking over the coming 7–8 years. (Jeb Dunnuck)
SP9797 pts. - Wine Spectator - Web only – 2017 This delivers a lush, enticing blast of cassis and raspberry and boysenberry preserve flavors, carried by a silky structure that lets the fruit play out at length, giving adequate time for black tea, singed apple wood, dried anise and fruitcake notes to fill in throughout. Dreamy. Grenache. Best from 2020 through 2040. 600 cases made.VN93+93–95 pts. - Vinous - Mar 2017 Brilliant violet. Sexy, spice- and mineral-accented aromas of ripe red berries and incense carry a suave floral topnote. Juicy, penetrating and concentrated yet lithe, displaying impressive power and lift to the raspberry liqueur, spicecake and lavender pastille flavors. Closes with resonating spiciness, silky, slow-building tannins and a strong echo of sappy red fruit. The marriage of depth and vivacity here is quite impressive.RP9393 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 31st Oct 2017 The pure Grenache 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes (from 95-year-old vines) was raised in demi-muids. A lifted nose of raspberry liqueur leads into a full-bodied, creamy, supple wine that carries a bit of alcoholic warmth into the long, silky-textured finish.
JD96+96–99 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - October 19, 2017 Even better (although in a very different style), the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes comes all from very old Grenache vines planted all in sandy soils. This behemoth offers awesome notes of blueberries, plums, violets and spring flowers, with hints of sandy/loamy/soil notes developing with time in the glass. Full-bodied, fat, unctuous and hedonistic, it stays balanced lively and fresh on the palate, with no weight. Sign me up. (Jeb Dunnuck)VN9595 pts. - Vinous - Jul 2018 Limpid ruby-red. Smoke- and spice-accented aromas of cherry liqueur, Chambord and candied flowers, along with a subtle floral quality that gains strength with air. Energetic red berry and bitter cherry flavors are complemented by mocha and licorice flourishes that take a sweeter turn on the back half. Youthful tannins lend grip to a long, focused finish that strongly echoes the cherry and floral notes.SP9595 pts. - Wine Spectator - Nov 30, 2018 Ripe, but bright and fresh, with a lively mix of raspberry, red currant and bitter plum coulis flavors streaming in, pulling light tea, singed sandalwood and anise notes along. Shows lovely detail and well-embedded acidity through the finish. Drink now through 2035. 600 cases made.RP94+94–96 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 31st Oct 2017 I didn’t taste the straight Chateauneuf du Pape from 2016, but the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes certainly looked special out of a one-year-old demi-muid. It’s a big, plush, dark-fruited wine, with some chocolate notes and a velvety feel.
JD9696 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - October 6, 2020 Taking things up a notch, the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes is a much bigger, richer wine. It’s similarly colored, with a medium ruby/purple hue as well as a killer nose of kirsch liqueur, lavender, herbes de Provence, Asian spices, and a touch of cured meats. This full-bodied, opulent wine hits the palate with no hard edges, sweet tannins, and one hell of a great finish. It’s already hard to resist, has the vintage’s forward, upfront feel, yet will nevertheless have 10–15 years of longevity. (Jeb Dunnuck)VN9494 pts. - Vinous - Oct 2021 Glistening ruby-red. Expansive, spice-tinged Chambord, cherry liqueur, incense and lavender aromas show sharp definition and pick up a lively mineral nuance with air. Sweet and seamless in texture, offering concentrated red fruit, five-spice powder and floral pastille flavors that are sharpened by a jolt of juicy acidity. Deftly blends richness and energy and finishes extremely long and smooth, with insistent florality and pliant tannins adding gentle grip.SP9494 pts. - Wine Spectator - Web only – 2021 Cherry and plum paste flavors are fresh in feel, with anise and violet and lavender details adding range. Nicely buried acidity gives the finish a subtle juicy edge, while the fruit plays out against a light sandalwood note. Drink now through 2035. 400 cases made, 75 cases imported.RP92+92–94 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 30th Aug 2019 I failed to discern a qualitative difference between the 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes (pure Grenache) and the 2018 Renaissance (which includes 40% Mourvèdre). This wine features bold cherry flavors, hints of cedar and vanilla from new oak and is full-bodied and velvety on the palate, with a long finish. No doubt further differences will emerge by next year, but for now, between these two wines, let’s call it a push.
JD9595 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - 11/3/2021 Beautiful violets, wildflowers, Asian spices, lavender, and Bing cherry fruits all soar from the glass of the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape. This full-bodied, beautifully textured, seamless 2019 brings the richness of the vintage while staying light on its feet, elegant, and perfectly balanced. While the acidity is quite low (I’m sure the pH is quite high), this will age on its balance and concentration. Hats off to Philippe Bravey for another singular Châteauneuf du Pape that readers will love to have in their cellars. As usual, the blend is 85% Grenache, with the balance other permitted varieties, brought up completely in tank. It can be drunk any time over the coming 15 years or more. (Jeb Dunnuck)
JD9595 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - 11/11/2022 I continue to love what vigneron Philippe Bravay accomplishes from his estate in the northern part of the appellation, and his 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape is another finesse-driven, incredibly beautiful expression of this magical region. Based on 85% Grenache, 5% Mourvedre, and the rest a mix of permitted varieties, it was partially destemmed and brought up in equal parts stainless steel and concrete tanks. It offers a huge perfume of ripe strawberries and red fruits as well as sappy flowers, garrigue, and Provençal herbs. This carries to a medium to full-bodied, balanced, incredibly seamless Châteauneuf du Pape with no hard edges, ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish. I’d be a buyer. This will put a smile on your face any time over the coming 10–15 years. (Jeb Dunnuck)
JD91+91–93 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - 10/6/2020 Leading off the 2019 Châteauneuf du Papes, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape reveals a ruby/purple, almost opaque hue to go with a beautifully Provençal, medium to full-bodied style as well as classy notes of peppery garrigue, spiced meat, black raspberries, and jammy blackberries. Nicely textured, with a terrific mid-palate as well as a great finish, this is a rock-solid, classic, traditional cuvée from this estate that will be approachable with short-term cellaring and evolve for 15–20 years or more.
JD95+95–97 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - August 16, 2019 The 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Vieilles Vignes (only 30% destemmed) is more powerful than the Chaupin cuvée and has a rocking bouquet of blackberries, cassis, scorched earth, graphite, and licorice, that develops beautifully with time in the glass. Rich, full-bodied, concentrated, and layered on the palate, it has integrated acidity, present yet ripe tannins, and a beautiful finish. Pure class, it’s going to benefit from 2–4 years of bottle age and keep for two decades. (Jeb Dunnuck)VN9595 pts. - Vinous - Oct 2021 Dark violet. A deeply perfumed bouquet evokes ripe red/blue fruits, incense and exotic spices, and a floral accent builds as the wine opens up. Sweet and expansive in the mouth, offering lush black raspberry, boysenberry and spicecake flavors that are energized by a core of juicy acidity. Shows excellent clarity and solid, spicy thrust on a long, sweet finish framed by velvety tannins.
JD96+96–98 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - 11/3/2021 The 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes also saw some stems (the estate started keeping some stems with the 2016 vintage) and was 75% destemmed, with the blend being 70% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre, and the rest Syrah, Cinsault, and Terret Noir. As usual, it’s a more powerful, black-fruited wine comparted to the Cuvée Chaupin and has lots of crème de cassis, liquid violet, crushed stone, woodsmoke, and peppery herbs. It displays the vintage’s purity and freshness yet brings the concentration as well as the structure. I’ll be shocked if it’s not in the handful of top wines in the vintage. (Jeb Dunnuck)SP9595 pts. - Wine Spectator - Web only – 2022 This is brimming with dark cherry, blackberry and boysenberry compote flavors that spill forth, laced with generous licorice snap, tar, graphite and black tea notes. A nice tug of iron appears very late on the finish, as the fruit lingers on. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Best from 2024 through 2040. 1,500 cases made, 392 cases imported. (James Molesworth)
RP94+94–96 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 30th Oct 2013 Also showing the purity and freshness of the vintage, the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Chaupin, which was harvested towards the end of September, displays classic licorice, crushed violets, flowers and mineral-tinged black fruits to go with a medium to full-bodied, beautifully balanced and lively feel on the palate. Always 100% Grenache that comes from very old vines and sandy soils, it is one impressive tank sample. Give it a couple years in the cellar and enjoy bottles over the following decade or longer. Drink 2015–2027.SP9494 pts. - Wine Spectator - Oct 31, 2014 Dense but refined, showing layers of fig, boysenberry and blackberry paste offset with notes of anise, fruitcake, allspice, mulled plum and black tea. Exhibits a silky feel through the finish, with lots of sneaky length as an iron accent lingers gracefully. Best from 2015 through 2030. 390 cases imported.ST92+92–94 pts. - Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar - Jan/Feb 2014 Deep ruby. Dark berries, incense, candied flowers and minerals on the highly perfumed nose. Offers sweet black raspberry and lavender flavors that become spicier with aeration. Fine-grained and sappy, with excellent finishing clarity and smooth, harmonious tannins adding grip. This sexy Chateauneuf will likely be delicious soon after release, but it has the concentration to strongly suggest that patience will be rewarded.
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Domaine André Brunel Les Cailloux Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Domaine Brusset Tradition Le Grand Montmirail Gigondas
Domaine Champet Côte-Rôtie La Viallière
