2018 Rhône

Saint-Péray was once famed for the quality of its sparkling wines, and this shows why. This is lively, but with wonderful palate weight, too. A simply delicious fizz.

This is made from Marsanne, and is a fresh, energetic white with plenty of spice. Its mouth-watering finish makes it so charming, and simply delicious.

Intense and perfumed, this has such a stunning Condrieu nose. Peaches and cream, as well as saffron and other spices. The finish is so long, and so mouthwatering, with a lovely texture. Outstanding.

From granite soils, this is very pretty and delicate. Rose petal and wild flowers on the nose, there’s plenty of spice and texture. This is very saline on the finish.

The most legendary white in the Southern Rhône, this comes from a tiny parcel of gnarled Roussanne vines. Produced in tiny quantities, particularly in 2018, this is textured, weighty, yet light on its feet. Unique.

There’s beautiful energy and concentration on the Châteauneuf Blanc from Beaucastel this year. A grippy palate, with plenty of focus, and a long and savoury finish.

140-150 year old vines, planted before the sale of the vineyard in 1870. This is remarkable, with minerality and vibrancy in spades. The greatest Clairette you’ll try.

A wine that can be overlooked at your peril, the 2018 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc was produced in truly miniscule quantities. Such salinity and purity here, with notes of melon and pears. Drink it young, or keep it for decades. Wonderful.

A blend of Jacquère, Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier, from a 100-year old parcel, that’s due to be pulled out. Saline and grippy, and a slightly leesy character: this is really very impressive.

Notes of pineapple and rose, with stunning complexity and a wonderful savoury tang. This really is a benchmark Condrieu from Perret.

60 year old vines here give a level of intensity and power that’s rarely seen, while maintaining the tension that we love in André’s wines. Aromatic, with plenty of amplitude, and very, very long indeed.

From seven different parcels in Chavanay, this is delicate and finessed, with plenty of texture and fragrance. Lovely.

There’s a coolness and savoury fragrance to this from Villard. Plenty of energy and tension, and a beautifully poised finish.

From a plot really near the cellar. This is opulent and rich, but with a beautiful thread of acidity and a wonderfully mouthwatering finish. Treads the line between finesse and richness.

There’s plenty of salinity here, making the mouth immediately water. Plenty of small white flowers and apricot on the nose, and lovely energy on the finish.

There’s a beautiful floral character to this Hermitage Blanc from Marc Sorrel: a wonderful example of the style. This is very impressively long.

From old vines in the historic vineyard of Les Rocoules, this is so powerful, textured and long. An astonishing wine from Marc Sorrel: the pinnacle of the style.

From parcels just above the Northern Rhône’s famed hillsides, this is an impressive Viognier. Explosive, powerful, with amazing spice, it punches above its weight.

This is a beautiful Condrieu from Stéphane. Notes of ginger and white pepper, with rose petal too. Complex and impressively long.

Only aged in steel, this has purity of fruit in spades. Orange blossom and grapefruit, and loads of focus and drive, a beautifully ripe Condrieu, and one that will age nicely.

Beautiful fragrance and elegance on this stunning southern white. There’s texture and restraint here, and a finish that just makes you want to have another glass.

A selection of the favourite tonneaux from the Crozes production. This is quite spicy and intense. There’s plenty of spearmint and apples, and then opulent spice on the finish. Powerful and ageworthy.

This has a little Roussanne in the blend, for the first time. There’s plenty of apple fruit and lots of floral and fine notes, too. Really impressive and mouthwatering.

80% Marsanne and the rest Roussanne, with the former from 100 year old vines. There’s plenty of spice and fragrance and texture. Very long.

Delicate and saline, with texture and wild white flowers, this is a beautiful Marsanne from one of the Rhône’s white wine masters.

Exotic but not overblown, there’s notes of peach blossom and nectarines on the nose, with a zippy, fresh palate. Very well put together: everything we’d hope for from this masterful winemaker.

From a parcel in the heart of the village, this has a very floral and intense nose. The vines here are 100 years old, and that gives this wonderful precision and focus. Incredible.

A grippy and savoury wine from one of the masters of white wine in the region. Incredible power and drive, with texture and a mouthwatering finish. Brilliant for the price.

From around the Chapelle, where the soils are poor, this is a Marsanne with tons of texture and vibrancy. It comes from the oldest vines, and is one for the long haul.

Around 10% Roussanne in the blend here, with the rest Marsanne. This comes from three plots: L’Ermite, La Tourette and Le Sabot. Apples and spice, this is excellent but will need plenty of time to come together.

Clos Boucher is very near to the legendary Château Grillet, and this shows the opulence and purity that the estate is renowned for - at a fraction of the price. Lovely salinity here, with plenty of palate weight, and really expressive fruit. Excellent.

This is a tightly wound white, but with air it gets better and better. It’s almost volcanic in style: it reminds a little of Etna, but with real precision and length. At six years old, this is a delight.