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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.
JD9090 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - 10/6/2020 A good buy, the 2019 Côtes du Rhône from this great estate offers up a medium ruby color as well as an incredibly Provençal perfume of spiced red fruits, peppery garrigue, new saddle leather, and flowery incense. Medium-bodied, seamless, and elegant on the palate, it’s already hard to resist and should continue to put a smile on your face any time over the coming 2–4 years. (Jeb Dunnuck)
JD9494 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - 10/6/2020 Leading off the 2018s from bottle, the 2018 Gigondas Réserve is a mix of Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah, and can be thought of as the classic cuvée of the domaine. It’s beautifully done and shows the style of the domaine in its full-bodied, rich, yet also elegant profile. Offering a mix of red and black fruits, herbes de Provence, peppery garrigue, and flowers, this beauty is flawlessly balanced, has a round, layered mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and just tons of character. Drink this little gem any time over the coming decade. (Jeb Dunnuck)RP9393 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 31st Mar 2021 Although I reported differently last year, the final blend of the 2018 Gigondas is approximately 65% Grenache, with the rest a mix of Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault (in descending order of preponderance). Gentle notes of bay leaf and thyme accent purple raspberries on the nose, while the palate is full-bodied and generous, showing supple, silky tannins and surprisingly crisp acids on the finish.SP9393 pts. - Wine Spectator - Dec 15, 2020 Fresh and lively, with a ripe core of dark cherry and blackberry fruit leading the way for dried garrigue, singed apple wood and dark licorice notes. Best from 2022 through 2032. 3,300 cases made, 200 cases imported.WS9393 pts. - Wine & Spirits - 10/20 Julian Brechet’s flagship wine is an assemblage from the varied terroirs on his 64 acres of vines. Fermented with ambient yeasts and 30 percent whole clusters, it’s juicy, salty, spicy and energetic, even as the flavors stretch out languorously under the textural weight of its alcohol. The fruit feels dewy and fresh, with a crisp pop of acidity to counter the gruffer aspects of the wine’s tannins — structural elements that will keep this well should you choose to cellar a case for the next ten years.
VN9696 pts. - Vinous - Jan 2023 Dark magenta. Vibrant cherry, raspberry and lavender aromas show excellent clarity and a spicy white pepper hint. Sweet and penetrating on the palate, it displays expansive red fruit and spicecake flavors with a subtle touch of candied licorice. Closes sappy and impressively long, with resonating floral and red fruit notes and gentle tannins that build slowly. (Josh Raynolds)JD91+91–93+ pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - 1/25/2022 I always find the wines of Domaine du Cayron to be singular and exotic, and I love them, but admittedly, they’re not for everyone. Their 2020 Gigondas checks in as 78% Grenache, 14% Syrah, and the rest Cinsault and Mourvèdre that was destemmed and aged all in very old foudre. Cassis, blueberries, bay leaf, basil, and exotic flowers notes all emerge from the glass, and it’s medium to full-bodied, with wonderful purity of fruit and a notable sense of freshness. It’s a beautiful barrel sample from this family. (Jeb Dunnuck)
RP91+91–93 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 31st Oct 2019 Another top-notch vintage for this property, the 2018 Lirac Domaine du Clos de Sixte looks as if it may rival the 2016. It’s 50% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 15% Mourvèdre, aging in concrete (70%) and barrels (30%). Floral notions mark the nose, while flavors of raspberries and apricots appear on the full-bodied palate. This seems creamy-supple at first, with steadily building tannins on the lengthy finish. (Joe Czerwinski)
RP9393 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 5th May 2022 Count me a fan of Pegau’s 2020 Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc Cuvée Réservée, a tank-fermented and matured blend of 60% Clairette, 20% Grenache Blanc and 10% each Bourboulenc and Roussanne. Pressed direct to tank with no settling prior to fermentation, it’s medium to full-bodied yet has a deliciously plump, succulent texture and enchanting notes of white peaches, pineapple and tangerine, underscored by a hint of chalkiness on the lingering finish. (Joe Czerwinski)
RP94+94–96 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 30th Oct 2013 As to the 2012s, while there will be no Cuvee da Capo in the vintage, the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reservee is a beauty. Tasted out of multiple barrels (all of which rated between 94 and 97), it should be a classic Pegau with aromatics similar to the 2010, yet not quite as much depth or richness. Full-bodied and nicely concentrated, all of the samples showed the freshness of the vintage, with ample mid-palate depth, high quality tannin and loads of character. It should benefit from short-term cellaring and have 15–20 years of longevity. Drink 2016–2032.SP9393 pts. - Wine Spectator - Sep 30, 2015 A dark, alluring style, with tobacco, chestnut and alder notes surrounding a core of blackberry, plum and cherry fruit. Lots of garrigue details line the finish, showing a warm paving stone hint. Should settle in nicely in the cellar. Best from 2016 through 2023. 6,670 cases made.ST92+92–94 pts. - Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar - Jan/Feb 2014 Bright purple. Smoky, spice-accented aromas of blackberry and cherry-cola, with sexy floral and mineral overtones. Sweet and expansive on the palate, offering an array of red and dark berry preserve flavors complicated by hints of Indian spices and black pepper. Rich and energetic, with strong finishing thrust, slow-building tannins and a late kick of smoky minerality. I was looking for some funky gaminess here but didn’t find any.
JD9393 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - 11/11/2022 Looking first at the white, the 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape Blanc is straight-up beautiful stuff, offering clean citrus and orange blossom-like fruits as well as subtle spice, chalky minerality, and flower oil-like nuances. Medium-bodied on the palate, with bright yet integrated acidity, it’s textured, has remarkable purity, and a great finish. (Jeb Dunnuck)
JD9494 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - 11/11/2022 The 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape also showed well, with a lighter, elegant style that still brings plenty of intensity. Black cherries, mulberries, dried violets, and loamy earth define the bouquet, and it’s medium-bodied, balanced, and finesse-driven on the palate, with ripe tannins as well as a terrific sense of salinity on the finish. Give bottles 3–4 years and enjoy over the following 15+. (Jeb Dunnuck)RP93+93–95 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 5th May 2022 Tasted as a tank sample of the final blend, the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape La Crau is a blend of approximately 60% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre, 15% Syrah and 5% other permitted varieties, with about 30% whole bunches used in the ferments. Marked by ripe cherries and hints of complex garrigue notes on the nose, it’s full-bodied but also really elegant, with fine-grained, silky tannins, ample concentration and a long, surprisingly crisp finish. (Joe Czerwinski)
JD96+96+ pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - August 16, 2019 Lastly, the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Les Grenaches de Pierre offers slightly more purity and elegance, yet certainly doesn’t come up short on power or concentration. Stunning black cherries, currants, underbrush, ground pepper, and earthy, rocky mineral notes all give way to a deeper, darker, rich, concentrated wine that’s going to benefit from 2–4 years of bottle age. It will see its 20th birthday in fine form. (Jeb Dunnuck)RP9595 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 30th Aug 2019 Drawn from sandy soils in the lieux-dits of La Crau and Pignan, the all-Grenache 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Grenaches de Pierre features wiry, herbal threads sewn into a fabric of tart cranberries and raspberries. It’s full-bodied and tannic, needing a few years to loosen up. Ultimately, it should reward the patient with a complex, silken tapestry of flavors.VN94+94–95 pts. - Vinous - Dec 2019 Deep shimmering ruby-red. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes ripe red and dark berries, exotic spices and candied flowers, and a smoky mineral nuance emerges as the wine opens up. Alluringly sweet and open-knit, offering juicy Chambord, boysenberry and lavender pastille flavors, along with hints of star anise and bitter chocolate. Smooth and seamless in texture, showing superb finishing energy, harmonious tannins and sharp delineation.SP9494 pts. - Wine Spectator - Web only – 2019 This is packed with steeped raspberry and blackberry fruit flavors, laced with hints of mulling spice, incense and rooibos tea. The fine-grained finish reveals alder and garrigue echoes. Shows a lovely mouthfeel throughout and latent depth on the finish. Best from 2021 through 2036. 200 cases made, 90 cases imported.
SP9696 pts. - Wine Spectator - Web only – 2022 Everything’s in perfect harmony in this floral, stunning red. Offers plum, cherry cobbler, incense and lavender supported by a line of racy minerality, savory earth notes and cooling, mouthwatering acidity. This has real energy driving the length, with black tea and potpourri accents all seamlessly adding layers. Stunning. Best from 2025 through 2040. 70 cases imported. (Kristen Bieler)RP95+95–97 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 5th May 2022 Still in concrete at the time of my visit, the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Grenaches de Pierre looks to be another prodigious effort. Gorgeous aromas of stone fruit and ripe cherries mingle easily with intricate notes of garrigue and pine needles in a wine that’s somehow full-bodied yet ethereal on the palate, with a long, tart, almost cranberry-ish finish. As always, it’s sourced from old-vine Grenache in the sandy soils of Pignan, Charbonnière and Mourre de Gaud, all clustered northeast of the village of Châteauneuf du Pape. (Joe Czerwinski)JD95+95–97+ pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - 11/3/2021 Also beautiful, the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Les Grenaches De Pierre is all Grenache from cooler, sandy soils, and it’s raised primarily in foudre and tank. Black raspberry, cassis, spring flowers, wild strawberries, toasted spice, and graphite all emerge from the glass, and it’s medium to full-bodied, with a layered, flawlessly balanced mouthfeel, brilliant tannins, and a great finish. It’s up with the crème de la crème of the vintage and should be snatched up by savvy readers. (Jeb Dunnuck)
RP9292 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 30th Oct 2020 The raspberry and garrigue-scented 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape Le Miocene has turned out as well I hoped after last year’s visit. Medium to full-bodied, it’s tightened up a bit and shows more dusty tannin on the finish than I recall, but that should just serve to extend its drinking window through at at least 2030.VN9292 pts. - Vinous - Oct 2021 Vivid ruby. Fragrant cherry and red berry scents pick up suggestions of licorice and lavender with aeration. Spicy, concentrated and smooth on the palate, offering appealingly sweet raspberry, cherry liqueur and floral pastille flavors and a hint of succulent herbs. Finishes sweet and quite long, with velvety tannins framing lingering cherry and floral notes.JD9292 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - October 6, 2020 The 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape Le Miocène can be thought of as the entry-level Châteauneuf from this estate and is a blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre brought up in a mix of tank and neutral, older barrels. Impressive notes of mulled black cherries, darker currants, chocolaty herbs, and pepper all emerge from the glass and this medium to full-bodied 2018 has a great mid-palate, ample depth and richness, and sweet tannins. It’s beautifully done and just about seamless on the palate, with the forward, already delicious style of the vintage front and center. enjoy bottles anytime over the coming decade. (Jeb Dunnuck)
RP9797 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 30th Oct 2014 The 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is in the top 2–3 wines in the vintage. Possessing rock-star concentration and depth, full-bodied richness and loads of sweet tannin, it offers layers of ripe blackberry, graphite, licorice and toasted-spice aromas and flavors. One of the more powerful and structured efforts in the vintage, it nevertheless always stays balanced, graceful and light on the palate. Give it 2–3 years and enjoy bottles through 2027.VN9393 pts. - Vinous - Apr 2015 Opaque ruby. Highly perfumed bouquet of ripe dark berries, potpourri and sandalwood, with a mineral note adding vibrancy. Round and seamless on the palate, offering sweet black raspberry and boysenberry flavors and a strong jolt of candied rose. Quite suave and approachable, finishing with solid punch, gentle tannins and lingering spiciness.ST91+91–93 pts. - Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar - Jan/Feb 2014 Inky ruby. Strongly perfumed bouquet evokes ripe blackberry, blueberry, violet and smoky oak. Seamless and sweet, offering plush dark berry compote flavors and an exotic floral pastille quality. Becomes spicier with air and finishes long and gently tannic, with clinging sweetness and a hint of licorice.
JD9999 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - 11/3/2021 The 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes is based on 45% each of Grenache and Mourvèdre, with the balance Syrah, all destemmed and raised in 55% new French oak. Gorgeous cassis, violet, graphite, fruitcake, and peppery herbs define this brilliant effort, and it’s full-bodied, with a pure, seamless texture, wonderful tannins, and one heck of a great finish. This magical 2019 is going to benefit from 4–5 years of bottle age (it’s brilliant even today) yet keep for 20 years or more. Châteauneuf du Pape lovers need to have this in their cellar! (Jeb Dunnuck)RP97+97+ pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 5th May 2022 Always the densest and richest of the cuvées at this benchmark estate, the 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes features scents of cedar and mocha layered against a backdrop of black cherries. This actually is a bit like Black Forest cake—that ripe, rich and dense, with chocolate and vanilla shadings—but remains dry and savory in the end, with velvety tannins and tremendous length. It’s approximately 50% Grenache (aged in tank), plus 40% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah (both aged in new barrels). (Joe Czerwinski)
JD9191 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - October 6, 2020 Coming from a cooler, windy appellation, the 2018 Côtes Du Rhône Villages Valréas starts out with a darker, slightly earthy bouquet of red and blue fruits, damp forest floor, peppery herbs, and spring flowers that picks up more and more fruit with time in the glass. It shows more sweetness (ripe fruit, not sugar) and elegance on the palate and has good acidity, a balanced, light texture, silky tannins, and a great finish. It needs a good splash decant if drinking anytime soon and is a complex, nuanced, interesting Côtes du Rhône that should keep nicely for 5–6 years or more. (Jeb Dunnuck)
JD9595 pts. - Jeb Dunnuck - August 28, 2018 The quality of what could be considered the “entry-level” cuvée from Barrot is the equivalent of most estate’s top wine, and the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Signature delivers the goods again. It’s almost too good and certainly not far behind the Pure cuvée. A blend of 62% Grenache, 18% Mourvèdre, and the rest Cinsault, Syrah, Vaccarèse, and Clairette Rose, brought up in foudre and demi-muid, it sports a head-turning bouquet of kirsch liqueur, blackberries, crushed herbs, and pepper. With a big mid-palate, full body, ripe tannins, and a rocking finish, it’s a no-brainer purchase that will keep for two decades. (Jeb Dunnuck)RP9393 pts. - Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - 31st Aug 2018 A terrific entry-level offering, the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Signature is a blend of 62% Grenache, 18% Mourvèdre, 12% Syrah, 6% Cinsault and 2% other varieties. It’s full-bodied and intense but silky and almost weightless, delivering wonderful, complex notes of cherries, raspberries and an array of dried spices and herbs. With 2,500 cases produced, it should be fairly widely available and reasonably priced.
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Domaine de Marcoux Côtes du Rhône
Domaine des Bosquets Gigondas Réserve du Domaine
Domaine du Cayron Gigondas
Domaine du Clos de Sixte Lirac
