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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.
JD9292 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - 8/16/2019 The Lirac from this estate is the 2017 Lirac Clos de Sixte. It’s another deep purple-colored effort offering powerful notes of ripe black cherries, melted licorice, violets, and pepper. Full-bodied, forward, ripe, and flamboyantly styled, it’s packed with fruit and texture. Drink it over the coming 4–6 years. (Jeb Dunnuck)RP90+90–92 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 31st Oct 2019 Aged in a mix of tanks (70%) and barrels (30%), the 2017 Lirac Domaine du Clos de Sixte is a blend of 50% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 15% Mourvèdre. Hints of vanilla and licorice accent dark, cola-like notes and plummy fruit fruit in this full-bodied, plush, velvety-textured wine. It should drink well for 5–6 years. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes. (Joe Czerwinski)JS9090 pts. - JamesSuckling.com - Friday, October 11, 2019 Attractive violet flowers and a fresh and juicy feel with a ripe-tannin core that has real punch and weight on the palate. Bold wine here. From organically grown grapes. Drink now.
VN9696 pts. - Vinous - Oct 2021 Opaque garnet. Expressive cherry, black raspberry and incense aromas are complemented by building floral and exotic spice nuances. Sappy, seamless and penetrating in the mouth, offering appealingly sweet red and dark berry liqueur and candied lavender flavors that deepen as the wine open up. Shows resonating red fruit character on the wonderfully persistent, floral-driven finish, which is framed by polished, interwoven tannins.JD95+95–97 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - 10/6/2020 Always the most elegant wine on the lineup, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Reserve Auguste Favier is mostly Grenache yet has a solid amount of Cinsault, and it can include a splash of Mourvèdre in some vintages. This beauty offers deeper, richer notes of redcurrants, bouquet garni, and earth, full-bodied richness, a smoky, meaty character, plenty of mid-palate stuffing, and a great finish.SP9595 pts. - Wine Spectator - Web only – 2021 This has a seriously endowed and remarkably pure core of cassis and cherry purée, underscored by light leather, red licorice and violet notes that emerge steadily as they move through the silky finish. Power and grace. Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvèdre. Best from 2023 through 2036. 7,920 cases made, 660 cases imported.
JD94+94–96 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - 12/14/2020 Also showing considerable elegance, the 2019 Gigondas Les Souteyrades sports a ruby/purple hue to go with beautiful and exotic notes of black raspberries, kirsch, candied orange, violets, and peppery garrigue. Beautifully balanced, medium to full-bodied, and downright silky on the palate, this heavenly Grenache should be snatched up by readers. It’s going to keep for 15 years. (Jeb Dunnuck)RP93+93–95 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 31st Mar 2021 Not as effusive on the nose as the La Louisiane, the 2019 Gigondas les Souteyrades is drier, sterner stuff — not as immediately approachable, with more savory notes of black olives and earth. There are still notes of ripe plums and raspberries in this full-bodied effort but also a firm core of dusty tannins to ensure more than a decade of longevity. It’s a blend of Grenache and Mourvèdre from a clay-rich, north-facing slope.
JD97+97–99 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - 2/16/2022 I was blown away by the 2018 Côte Rôtie Château D’Ampuis, which is certainly in the same league as the famed La Las. Coming from seven single vineyards and seeing the same upbringing as the flagship releases, this reveals a vivid purple hue as well as stunning aromatics of cassis, smoked game, spring flowers, and subtle smoke. It has background espresso-laced oak that’s perfectly integrated, it’s full-bodied, and it has ripe, polished tannins and a great finish. (Jeb Dunnuck)JS9696 pts. - JamesSuckling.com - Monday, March 21, 2022 The very deep, smoky and spicy nose pulls you into this very concentrated, focused and elegant Cote-Rotie, with delicate notes of coconut and pomegranate adding to the very complex picture. Very long, polished finish with delicate sweetness and underplayed power. Drink or hold.RP95+95+ pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 10th Feb 2022 Smoky, briary and complex, the 2018 Cote Rotie Chateau d’Ampuis spent 38 months in new oak, yet it still exudes notes of blackberries and blueberries, testament to the wine’s ample concentration. It’s full-bodied and rich yet silky and long, with hints of mocha and brown sugar appearing on the finish. It’s another beautiful vintage of this cuvée, which combines fruit from seven different parcels (three on the Cote Blonde and four on the Cote Brune).
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RP9595 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 24th Sep 2020 A rich, mouthfilling effort, Vieux Donjon’s 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape is concentrated and velvety, showing plenty of power and weight. Ripe cherries and raspberries are dusted with clove and star anise, then joined by hints of leather and cocoa on the long, intense finish. This is a beautiful Vieux Donjon that should drink well for more than a decade.VN9595 pts. - Vinous - Oct 2021 Deep, bright-rimmed ruby. High-pitched, mineral- and smoke-tinged red and dark berry and potpourri scents are complemented by notes of licorice and baking spices. Silky and open-knit, offering sweet raspberry, cherry, and lavender pastille flavors that show fine delineation and tighten up steadily with air. Shows solid, spicy thrust and energetic lift on the impressively long finish, which is given shape by harmonious tannins.JD93+93–95 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - August 16, 2019 A beautiful wine in the vintage, the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape reveals a deep ruby/purple color as well as stunning notes of blackcurrants, crushed violets, ground pepper, and cured meats. Rich, medium to full-bodied, and beautifully textured, it has ripe, present tannins and a great finish. It doesn’t have the sheer richness found in a top vintage, yet it’s complex, classic, layered, and long. In short, it’s a beautiful wine that makes the most of this vintage. (Jeb Dunnuck)SP9393 pts. - Wine Spectator - Dec 31, 2020 Stylish, with a mix of red cherry, raspberry and Damson purée flavors swirling together. Light garrigue, juniper and warm brick hints develop through the finish, adding textural range and overall length. Should age nicely too. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Best from 2021 through 2035. 4,000 cases made, 800 cases imported.
JD89+89–91 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - 10/6/2020 From an appellation on the uptick, the 2019 Ventoux Les Gelinottes is another high-quality wine from this estate. Bright, medium-bodied aromas and flavors of black cherries and peppery, sappy herbs all emerge from this nicely textured, fresh, focused 2019 that has good concentration. The Ventoux is a cooler region, and this shows the wines more lively, fresh aromatics and focused texture. It will evolve for 5–7 years. (Jeb Dunnuck)RP8787 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 10th Sep 2020 The Maraschino cherry and garrigue-scented 2019 Ventoux Les Gelinottes is a juicy, mouthwatering effort. It’s medium-bodied, silky and fresh, with hints of pine resin and tree bark on the largely savory finish. Drink it over the next few years.
JD9898 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - 11/19/2020 While not submitted to my tasting (and it wasn’t presented from barrel last year), it would be hard to imagine there won’t be a Les Vieilles Fontaines cuvée. Don’t miss a chance to buy a bottle if you find one. Moving to the 2018 Cornas Les Vieilles Vignes, this beauty is cut from the same cloth as the Les Chailles yet is deeper and richer, with another level of concentration. Black and blue fruits, ground pepper, violets, smoked game, and loads of spring flower notes define the bouquet, and it has a vibrant, almost old school vibe that carries plenty of power yet still stays light and elegant on the palate. This beautiful, singular wine is open and enjoyable today, yet I wouldn’t be surprised to see it close down with a year or two of bottle age. It should see its 20th birthday in fine form. (Jeb Dunnuck)VN9595 pts. - Vinous - Apr 2020 Opaque ruby. An exotically perfumed bouquet displays powerful aromas of black and blue fruit preserves, incense, peony and olive paste. Palate-staining blackberry, boysenberry, fruitcake and floral pastille flavors deepen steadily on the back half. Gains weight and sweetness with air, finishing with a jolt of smoky minerality, sneaky tannins and outstanding persistence.RP9494 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 13th May 2021 The 2018 Cornas Vieilles Vignes blends fruit from some of the top lieux-dits of the appellation: Combe, Patou, La Côte, Les Mazards and Chaillot. Aged 20 months in approximately 15% new oak, it’s a dark, inky-hued wine, but one that retains bright, fresh fruit notes of red raspberries and plums alongside hints of cedar and menthol. It’s full-bodied and concentrated on the palate, with a firm, granitic structure and sense of restraint, fine-grained, almost silky tannins and tremendous length.SP9494 pts. - Wine Spectator - Feb 28, 2021 Dark and winey, with lots of steeped black cherry, plum and blackberry fruit forming the core while light sweet tapenade, rosemary and mineral notes streak through on the finish. Vivid, energetic Cornas. Best from 2022 through 2036. 1,350 cases made, 128 cases imported.
JD9797 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - 2/16/2022 The 2019 Cornas Les Vieilles Vignes is similarly inky colored and has a classic nose of plums, Asian spices, sandalwood, and iron. Medium to full-bodied, with good acidity and ripe tannins, it doesn’t have the sheer weight, richness, or girth of the Vieilles Fontaines, yet it’s certainly a more classic Cornas that will be approachable with just 3–4 years of bottle age yet evolve for twenty years if you’re so inclined. (Jeb Dunnuck)SP9696 pts. - Wine Spectator - Jul 31, 2022 This is packed with succulent cherry, plum paste and blackberry fruit flavors that show hints of mulled spice, dried anise, singed tobacco and sweet tapenade as they move through. A mouthwatering mineral edge extends the lengthy finish. Cellar patiently, then serve with game for the full seduction. Best from 2024 through 2038. 1,265 cases made, 225 cases imported. (James Molesworth)RP9292 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 20th Jan 2022 Now, this is more like it. A big step up from the disjointed Les Chailles, the 2019 Cornas Vieilles Vignes is a classic rendering of Cornas, with hints of crushed stone, mint, blueberries and red berries on the nose. It’s medium to full-bodied, velvety and concentrated enough, yet it’s not overbearing or heavy; it’s just deliciously drinkable and will drink well for more than a decade. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes. (Joe Czerwinski)
RP9292 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 24th Sep 2020 The 2018 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Tradition gives the impression of dusty earth and finely ground spices on the nose, all coating a core of ripe cherries. It’s medium to full-bodied, silky and concentrated, with nice grip and persistence on the finish, where it picks up hints of cocoa powder and ground cloves. It’s turned out even better — more structured and complete — than I expected after last year’s visit to the estate.VN9292 pts. - Vinous - Oct 2021 Deep ruby-red. Ripe, spice-accented red and dark berry scents, along with hints of succulent herbs and flowers. Broad and fleshy on entry, offering appealingly sweet cherry and black raspberry flavors that tighten up through the midpalate. Smooth, even tannins build on a long, spicy finish that strongly echoes the berry and floral notes.JD90+90–92 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - August 16, 2019 Moving to the reds and starting with the classic 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape, this checks in as 75% Grenache and the rest Syrah and Mourvèdre, partially destemmed and brought up in a mix of demi-muid and foudre. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by a deep, smoky, meaty bouquet that has beautiful fruit as well as loads of ground pepper nuances. It’s rich, medium to full-bodied, has no hard edges, and a great finish. Drink it on release and over the following decade. (Jeb Dunnuck)
JD96+96+ pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - 11/3/2021 Almost all Grenache, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape A La Gloire De Mon Grand-Père comes from the La Gardiole lieu-dit and was aged 80% in demi-muids and 20% in foudre. Its deep purple/plum color is followed by a stunning array of black cherry, blackberry, and ripe strawberry fruits as well as candied flowers, orange blossom, and toasted spice. As with the old vine cuvée, the tannins have a firm edge and it’s built with short-term cellaring in mind, yet the purity is brilliant, I love its balance, and this is just a stunning Grenache that’s going to have two decades of pure pleasure giving. (Jeb Dunnuck)SP9696 pts. - Wine Spectator - Dec 31, 2021 This is packed, featuring juicy and energetic raspberry, blackberry and dark plum pate de fruit flavors wrapped in licorice root, black tea, singed juniper and incense notes. Everything knits tightly through the finish, with the underlying freshness extending to a lengthy finish as the juniper note leaves a mouthwatering echo. Serious, old school style. Best from 2024 through 2038. 1,500 cases made, 275 cases imported.
RP95+95–97 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 5th May 2022 Beaucastel’s 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape is shaping up as a blend of 30% each Grenache and Mourvèdre, with 10% each Counoise and Syrah, plus 20% other permitted varieties, including a healthy proportion of white grapes. Complex and red-fruited, with hints of flowers and garrigue, it’s expansive and richly textured on the palate, finishing long and silky. (Joe Czerwinski)JD94+94–96 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - 11/11/2022 The 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape was scheduled to be bottled the week after this tasting, and it’s the usual blend of 35% Mourvedre, 25% Grenache, and the rest Syrah, Counoise, and other permitted varieties. While the estate compares this to their 2016, it reminds me slightly of their 1990 and has a wonderful perfume of red, blue, and black fruits, as well as sappy garrigue, saddle leather, and ground pepper. It’s beautifully textured, medium to full-bodied, has a good sense of freshness, and fine tannins, as well as a tight, focused style on the palate that bodes well for longevity. It deserves 7–8 years of bottle age and should be long-lived. (Jeb Dunnuck)
SP9595 pts. - Wine Spectator - Oct 7, 2020 This is solid, with a still-tight core of black cherry and dark plum fruit liberally laced with warm stone, garrigue, tar and alder notes. Plenty grippy, with a smoldering tobacco accent through the finish. Best from 2022 through 2035. 300 cases made, 100 cases imported.VN9494 pts. - Vinous - Oct 2021 Bright ruby. Heady, mineral- and spice-accented aromas of ripe red berries, incense and lavender are complemented by a smoky mineral nuance that builds as the wine opens up. Palate-staining raspberry and cherry liqueur, spicecake and floral pastille flavors pick up deeper licorice and cola notes on the back half. Conveys an appealing blend of richness and energy and closes with fine clarity, well-knit tannins and strong, spicy persistence.JD9494 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - October 6, 2020 The flagship is the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Du Papet and it’s based on 80% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, and 5% Syrah that see plenty of stems and aging mostly in demi-muids. Coming from the Bois Dauphin, La Crau, and Montalivet lieux-dits which are mostly sandy terroirs, the idea with this cuvée is always to make a more age-worthy, traditional wine that rewards bottle age. Lovers of old-school Châteauneuf will adore this 2018 and it has a captivating bouquet of red and black currants, peppery garrigue, spring flowers, and rose hips. Already perfumed, complex, and nuanced, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a silky, elegant texture, ripe yet nicely balanced tannins, and a great finish. It’s a wine that’s going to age on its balance and purity more so than power and richness. It’s going to pick up even more nuance with 4–6 years of bottle age and continue putting a smile on your face over the following 20 years. (Jeb Dunnuck)RP9393 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 24th Sep 2020 Scents of sun-warmed stones, asphalt and black olives emerge on the nose of the 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape La Cuvee du Papet. Full-bodied, savory and complex, with flavors of dark, plummy fruit, hints of roasted meat and dried spices, it’s supple in feel and long on the finish.
JD97+97–100 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - 10/6/2020 The 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Sanctus Sanctorum is going to be one of the wines of the vintage. All Grenache sourced from a single parcel in the La Crau lieu-dit and raised all in demi-muids, it sports a more ruby/purple hue that’s not completely opaque and has an incredible bouquet of kirsch liqueur, ripe blackcurrants, scorched earth. graphite, ground pepper, and assorted cured meats. With an incredibly singular character, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness and carries incredible power and richness, yet it nevertheless still glides over the palate with no sensation of weight or heaviness, ultra-fine tannins, and a remarkable sense of purity and elegance. This is another magical Grenache from this team. It’s going to benefit from 4–5 years of bottle age and knock your socks off over the following 20 years or more.RP96+96–98 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 30th Oct 2020 The 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Sanctus Sanctorum — a 100% Grenache cuvée (from vines planted in 1905) matured in new demi-muids — looks to have the concentrated fruit to handle the oak better than the 2018. Dark and intense, it delivers waves of purple berries and black cherries, barely touched by vanilla and cedar. It’s full-bodied and rich, and although the wood tannins do leave an impression, it’s a gentle one relative to the wine’s overall profile. While it may not quite equal the near-perfect 2016, it’s close.
JD92+92–94 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - 11/3/2021 Moving to the Châteauneuf du Pape releases, the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape checks in as 70% Grenache with the balance Syrah and Mourvèdre. It shows the classic, more elegant style favored by the domaine today as well as the fresher, pure style of the vintage. Black raspberries, blackberries, herbes de Provence, and peppery garrigue give way to a medium to full-bodied, concentrated, yet elegant 2020 that’s going to evolve for 15+ years. (Jeb Dunnuck)
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Domaine du Clos de Sixte Lirac
Domaine Saint Préfert Réserve Auguste Favier Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Domaine Saint-Damien Gigondas Les Souteyrades
E. Guigal Château d’Ampuis Côte Rôtie
