Description
This will be a formal sit-down tasting.
1-Delas Freres 2010 La Landonne Côte Rôtie Northern Rhone Valley France $224.99
Wine Advocate 98 Rating
Up with some of the greatest Cote Roties out there is Delas’s 2010 Cote Rotie la Landonne. Revealing an inky purple color as well as an incredible perfume of spring flowers, violets, black raspberries, graphite and Asian spice, it has drop-dead gorgeous purity, full-bodied richness and a seamless, layered texture that fails to completely cover the wine’s underlying tannic grip. Made from 100% Syrah and aged 16 months in new French oak, hide bottles in the cellar for another 4-5 years and enjoy them over the following three decades. SP35-3
2-Delas 2013 Domaine Des Grands Chemins Crozes Hermitage Northern Rhone Valley France
Wine Advocate 92 Rating
Already gorgeous, the 2013 Crozes Hermitage Domaine des Grands Chemins comes all from the Les Chassis region of Crozes (this is the flatter plain that stretches west from the Rhône river); it was raised in a combination of stainless steel and smaller barrels. It offers classic violet-tinged black and blue fruits, tapenade, bay leaf and peppery notes in a medium to full-bodied, elegant, silky style that just begs to be drunk. While bottles wouldn’t last long at my house, it will cruise for another 10-15 years on its balance.
3-Christelle Betton 2016 Caprice Crozes Hermitage Northern Rhone Valley France
Wine Advocate 92 Rating
The medium-bodied 2016 Crozes Hermitage Caprice comes from the oldest vines of this small domaine and is aged 10-12 months in older barrels. It shows lovely herbal-peppery complexities on the nose, then supple, creamy red fruit on the palate. Drinkable and complex, this wine is in tune with modern sensibilities but with genuine Syrah character and a long, silky finish.
4-Domaine de La Charbonnière 2015 Vacqueyras Cuvée Spéciale Southern Rhone Valley France $34.99
Jeb Dunnuck 93 Rating
The 2015 Vacqueyras Cuvée Spéciale is another blockbuster. Made from 100% Grenache that was 70% destemmed and aged in oak tanks, it offers terrific notes of kirsch, dried herbs, ground pepper and loads of loamy soil/sandy aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied, balanced and with beautiful tannin quality, drink it anytime over the coming decade. SP36-5
5-Domaine de Ferrand 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Southern Rhone Valley France $69.99
Jeb Dunnuck 95 Rating
The 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape checks in as 90% Grenache and the rest 3% each of Mourvèdre, Syrah and Bourboulenc, with a splash of Cinsault, brought up all in tank. It has a deep, layered, powerful yet elegant style as well as notes of black raspberries, crushed violets, blueberries, ground pepper, and earth. With a rounded, sexy texture, no hard edges, fine tannins, and a beautiful finish, it’s a fabulous wine in the vintage. SP35-5
6-Château de Nalys 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape Southern Rhone Valley France $99.99
Wine Spectator 95 Rating Highly Recommended Selection
#10 Top 100 Wine Spectator 2021. A bright savory note leads off this red, followed quickly by sanguine and bay leaf accents, all melding nicely with the core of steeped blackberry, raspberry and plum fruit flavors as they move through the rich, licorice root–tinged finish. Best from 2022 through 2035. SP39-5 SPBX-12
7-Saint Cosme 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Southern Rhone Valley France $69.99
Wine Enthusiast 94 Rating
Whiffs of dried sage, bramble, vanilla and spice accent plum and black-cherry flavors in this hedonistic blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Rounded and luscious, it has soft acidity and pliant, feathery tannins but maintains a mineral freshness that lingers on the finish. It’s a forward but elegant wine to enjoy now through 2028. SP37-5
8-Chapelle St. Theodoric 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape La Guigasse Southern Rhone Valley $99.99
Wine Advocate 98 Rating
The 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape La Guigasse to the Le Grand Pin. Also 100% whole-cluster Grenache, it’s much the same, but maybe a bit less floral and a bit more concentrated. Roses, herbal tea, blackberries and black cherries appear on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is supple and almost airy in feel yet with intense, lingering flavors. Just terrific stuff. R18-3
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.