The Southern Rhône: New releases

Made from Beaucastel's 85 - 100 year old vines with half of the wine matured in oak. These low yielding vines have produced an incredibly concentrated 2021, with warmth and musky complexity on the palate. Enjoy it's aromatic freshness now or leave for 15+ years to develop complex, honeyed flavours.

From just over the border of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Coudoulet is one of the hidden gems from the Beaucastel stable. This blend of Viognier, Marsanne, Bourboulenc and Clairette is . charming and elegant in this slightly cooler year, with delicate floral character on the nose, and lovely fresh acidity.

Made from 80% Roussanne, this is rich with a slightly creamy texture and nice freshness on the finish, reflecting the cooler vintage. Impressive already but tightly wound with subtle aromatics.

Comtesse Madeleine: a brilliant white from Lirac, based on Marsanne, grown on limestone, and Clairette, whose vines are an impressive 140-150 year old. It is salty and mineral, with juicy stone fruit, some chalky notes and a refreshing and charming finsh.

This unique and exciting wine is produced from 140-150 year old Clairette vines It is waxy and concentrated, with a leesy, savoury character combined with saline depth and notes of dried honey and summer flowers. It is without question the greatest Clairette you will try.

The 2021 whites from Châteauneuf Du Pape Blanc are fantastic, with elevated freshness and a drive and precision not always evident. This is a great example of the vibrant, crisp style of this vintage alongside ripe pear, stone fruit and white flower flavours. Layered, textural and fresh.

Clos des Cazaux's old vine Vacqueryas offers great value, with elegant peachy fruit, white flowers, salinity and charming freshness. There's no oak but the old vine character lends some delicate spice and texture to the wine.

Made mostly from Grenache Blanc and Clairette, with the remaining 30% made up of other local varieties co-planted. This is fragrant, textural and mineral-driven with a stony finish. Subtle hints of reduction amongst the fresh stone fruit and fresh lemon.

From the vineyard picked last, on a north facing slope in the Ventoux foothills, this is a blend of Grenache Blanc, Clairette and Bourboulenc. It's delicate and fragrant on the nose, gaining breadth on the palate with some richness from the Grenache Blanc. It's pithy and phenolic at first, with apricot fruit, then more minerally and gourmand on the finish. Just 2,400 bottles were produced.