Rhône Valley
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc “Clos Roquète” 2022
"With notes of pineapple, blanched almonds, white flowers and an elegant touch of reduction, the 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc from Clos la Roquete, a blend of equal parts of Clairette, Grenache and Roussanne, is medium to full-bodied, round and sappy, with a juicy core of fruit, a tense mid-palate and a lactic, floral finish."
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge “Piedlong” 2021
"Tasted just prior to bottling, Piedlong's 2021 Chateauneuf du Pape is a blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Mourvèdre from the lieu-dit of the same name. Scents of roses, red berries and citrus zest appear on the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate is silky and elegant, with a hint of cracked pepper on the lingering finish." - Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Télégramme Rouge 2021
"The 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Télégramme shows the characteristics of the vintage well. Mingling aromas of crushed flowers, fresh raspberry and strawberry as well as dried herbs. On the palate it is medium to full-bodied, layered, framed by a smooth tannin structure and balanced by lively acids." - Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2021
"Delicate aromas of spices, licorice, garrigue, dark berries and dark cherries preface the 2021 Chateauneuf du Pape La Crau, a medium to full-bodied, layered and textured Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It is framed around velvety, elegant tannins, with good depth at the core and a pure, precise texture that segues into a long, delicate and ethereal finish. Superb!" - Yohan Castaing, The Wine Advocate
Domaine Juliette Avril Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2022
The 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape from Domaine Juliette Avril, a blend of 65% Grenache Noir, 25% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre, reveals a gently oxidized character with aromas of dried thyme, spices, garrigue, plum and dried plum, followed by a medium to full-bodied, elegant palate with a juicy core of fruit, structured tannins and a firm, penetrating finish. This is a rather old-fashioned Châteauneuf-du-Pape. - Yohan Castaing, The Wine Advocate
Château de Saint Cosme Micro-Cosme Grenache/Pinot Noir Non-Vintage
"We have now been experimenting with Pinot noir blended with our Grenache Solera for three years. It's an old idea which gradually took shape thanks to a wonderful source of Pinot noir we were able to access. So from this year, the wine is truly transitioning from the style of the Little James Basket Press (with Grenache made in the Solera style) to the Micro-Cosme style which is a proper blend of Grenache and Pinot noir. I should point out that the 'Grenache' part continues to be our wonderful Solera. The fusion of Grenache and Pinot is a great classic in the history of wine which I would like to resurrect. The two varieties, seemingly so remote in terms of character and the regions where they thrive, are actually fraternal twins which resemble each other and make good bedfellows." Winemaker's notes
Saint Cosme Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge 2022 Magnum
Saint Cosme Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge 2022," An 80-20 blend of Syrah and Grenache, sourced from the Gard and Vinsobres, the 2022 Cotes du Rhone offers up outstanding aromas of blueberries and stone fruit, with violet-like floral accents. It's medium to full-bodied, silky and concentrated—apt to make any bargain shopper very happy." - Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate
Saint Cosme Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge 2022
Château de Saint Cosme Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge 2022," An 80-20 blend of Syrah and Grenache, sourced from the Gard and Vinsobres, the 2022 Cotes du Rhone offers up outstanding aromas of blueberries and stone fruit, with violet-like floral accents. It's medium to full-bodied, silky and concentrated—apt to make any bargain shopper very happy." - Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate
Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas Rouge 2021
Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas Rouge 2021, "Deep magenta. High-toned cherry and blackberry aromas show very good clarity with black pepper and smoky mineral accents. Shows firm tension and a spicy cut to its gently sweet red and dark berry, bitter chocolate and succulent herb flavors. Youthfully gripping tannins lend framework to a long, smoky finish that echoes the spice and floral notes. This is textbook Gigondas, raised in a combination of one-third concrete tanks and two-thirds large oak barrels, 20% of those new." - Josh Raynolds, Vinous
Château de Saint Cosme IGP “Les Deux Albion” Blanc 2022
"The wine is relatively aromatic – roughly on a par with Clairette – and develops scents of marshmallow, watermelon, pear and white flowers. On the palate, the acidity is forward or even slightly disjointed. There is great palatability. Incorporating the aptly named Saint Côme into our collection of white varieties is a worthwhile experience because it takes us back to the pre-phylloxera world of heirloom grape varieties. In 2022, the Deux Albion is fresh, clean and aromatic as always, with some great sourness on the finish – in a vintage like this, this is a surprising but welcome trait" - Winemaker's notes
J.L. Chave Sélection Hermitage Blanc Blanche 2019
"Another incredible white from this family is the 2019 Hermitage Blanc, a powerful, concentrated, and remarkably pure Hermitage that has laser-like focus as well as textbook Marsanne notes of quince, green almond, powdered rock, licorice, and spice. It’s still tight, focused, and inward at present, yet it reminds me of the 2018 with its purity and rare mix of power and elegance. It’s worth trying a bottle any time over the coming 3-5 years, but after that, I’d recommend waiting until after 2031. 98+" - Jeb Dunnuck
J.L. Chave Sélection Hermitage “Farconnet” 2019
"The 2019 Hermitage Farconnet comes from a mix of Péléat, Les Doignières, and Les Greffieux, and it was raised in used barrels. It has a classic Northern Rhône bouquet of ripe red and blackberry fruit as well as saddle leather, forest floor, ground pepper, and spring flowers. Needing a short decant, it's medium to full-bodied, has a supple, elegant mouthfeel, those classic Hermitage ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish. It's already drinking nicely yet has a solid 10-12 years of longevity ahead of it." - Jeb Dunnuck
J.L. Chave Sélection Crozes-Hermitage Blanc “Sybèle” 2021
J.L. Chave Sélection Crozes-Hermitage “Silène” 2021
J.L. Chave Sélection Saint-Joseph Blanc “Circa” 2021
" Composed of 100% Roussanne, the 2021 Saint Joseph Circa Blanc is terrific. Offering a classic perfume of ripe pears, honeycomb, quince, and sappy flowers, it picks up a beautiful sense of minerality with time in the glass. Medium-bodied, nicely concentrated, rich, and layered, it's one heck of an impressive Northern Rhône white that's going to shine for at least 3-5 years, and I wouldn't be surprised to see it have an interesting evolution over the coming decade." - Jeb Dunnuck
J.L. Chave Sélection Saint-Joseph “Offerus” 2021
"Shockingly good given the difficulties in Crozes during the growing season (it rained - a lot), the 2021 Crozes-Hermitage Silene has a pretty, complex, elegant perfume of red berries, spring flowers, cedary herbs, and pepper, with some classic Northern Rhône bacon fat. Nicely textured, medium-bodied, and elegant, with good ripeness, it's a rock-solid, classic, old school-styled Crozes to enjoy over the coming 7-8 years." - Jeb Dunnuck
Domaine Lionnet Cornas Terre Brûlée 2021 Magnum
Domaine Lionnet 2021 Cornas Terre Brulée 2021 Magnum, "Youthful purple. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes fresh black and blue fruits, star anise, olive, violet and tobacco. A smoky mineral accent builds steadily in the glass and energizes the spice-laced, dark berry liqueur, smoky bacon and floral pastille flavors that are underscored by a vein of juicy acidity. Clings with strong tenacity on the youthfully tannic finish, leaving behind sappy blue fruit, cracked pepper and mineral notes. " - Josh Raynolds
Domaine Lionnet Cornas Pur Granit 2021
Domaine Lionnet Cornas Pur Granit 2021, "Saturated magenta. Vibrant, mineral- and smoke-accented scents of blackberry, cherry liqueur, pipe tobacco and exotic spices, along with a sexy floral component. Fresh and sharply focused on the palate, displaying sappy, finely etched dark berry, floral pastille and spicecake flavors, plus a touch of botanical herbs. Finishes long and gently sweet, with a hint of star anise and firming tannins." - Josh Raynolds,
Alain Voge Saint-Péray Les Bulles d’Alain 2018 Méthode Traditionnelle
Alain Voge Cornas Les Vieilles Fontaines 2020
Alain Voge Cornas Les Chailles 2021
"The younger vine cuvée from this great estate is the 2021 Cornas Les Chailles, which is from a mix of terroirs. Its deeper ruby hue is followed by a solid perfume of ripe blackberries, red plums, ground pepper, and flowery incense. This carries to a medium-bodied Cornas with bright acidity, a supple, layered mouthfeel, and just ripe tannins. It should be an outstanding wine and certainly does well in the vintage. " - Jeb Dunnuck
