Rhône: New Releases

This is one of two signature reds at the domaine (the other is the Cornas Les Vieilles Vignes). It is a fruit-driven style with density and finesse. A long, gentle maceration draws out subtle liquorice and dark cherry notes with a lovely volume.

The domaine only makes one wine, and they throw everything they’ve got at it. It is a blend of two parcels from the Côte Blonde and two from the Côte Brune. It is powerful but balanced, with plenty of gusto on the mid-palate. The nose is laden with aromas of violets and tapenade, smoke and spice. Its silky tannins and sappy acidity let the sweet fruit core slowly unfurl. This is a paradigm for Côte-Rôtie’s capacity for purity.

These vines enjoy the freshening influence of altitude. They are located between 120-300 metres high, and as a result, this 2019 has such a charming crunchy, vibrant, fresh texture. There are bursting red berries and mineral freshness. A perfect Crozes if you like freshness and vim in your Syrah, and a stand out from the appellation in 2019.

We’ve watched the 2015 Ventoux Rouge develop in tank ever since just after the 2015 harvest, and it’s fair to say that this has really blossomed. On the nose, notes of wild violets and a core of juicy fruit, while there’s incredibly refined tannins and a very long, mineral finish. This is a beautifully judged red from Even Bakke: an absolute bargain from a benchmark of the Ventoux.

Vincent Avril's wines are some of the most sought-after and genuinely exciting in the southern Rhône. Yields are always low, vinification is done in parcels - often with different varieties blended. He slowly builds up one of the most complex and nuanced Châteauneuf-du-Papes you can find.

This blend of Greffieux, Méal, and Bessards is one of the finest examples of its type. Some of Bernard’s vines are over 100 years old now, and though he’s not quite that old, he is well into his semi-retirement. He’s given up the rest of his domaine, but he just can’t let go of his Hermitage. It always has a playful floral aroma from barrel, with violets and spiced cassis fruit. It will need a few years in the cellar before approaching, but well worth the wait if you can. Certainly one of his final vintages, if not the very last.

This is classic, old school Châteauneuf from Jean-Paul Versino. It is a blend of 70% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, and 10% other varieties which give it spice and backbone. Grainy tannins give it pep and vigour. Its open fruit ensures it will drink well from early on, and should glide into old age with style.

This superb wine from Domaine Giraud comes from 50-80 year old vines grown across the various soil types found in the appellation. There is so much freshness and energy in this 2019, bursting with salty red berries. One of the best examples of its type.

This comes from one-hundred-year-old Grenache vines planted in the sandy soils near Château Rayas. It has intense minerality and saltiness. There is power there, but it feels smooth and refined, and gives the impression of weightlessness.

Dark and intense on the nose, it’s mineral with wonderful density. There’s a balance here, with so much berry character and silkiness and wonderful grip on the finish, with a salty tang. Outstanding.

This is a great site for Grenache, which loves its sandy, pebbly soils. The vines have an average age of 75 years, and the wine is concentrated but poised, with spice, floral notes, and fresh focus. Forget about it for a few years to enjoy at its best.

This is a hugely powerful and impressive Châteauneuf. Old vines (100 years+), low yields, slightly cooler north-facing terraces, and Jaun-Paul's magic touch make for an exquisite wine.

This is a selection of the family’s favourite tonneaux (the large demi-muid barrels they like to use for ageing) of their larger Crozes-Hermitage Cuvée. Highly fruit-driven. It has a dramatic frame of black, cassis-like fruit, underscored by a touch of tapenade. The tannins are grippy and present. It’s a Crozes with some umph.

This is a blend of 15 different parcels around Cornas. It is so stylish and silky-smooth in 2019. This is wonderfully refined Syrah that still retains plenty of personality. Its fine-grained tannins are the mark of its excellent quality of fruit.

Pur Noir is only ever a single parcel, and only ever made in the best years. The parcel changes each time, depending on Stéphane’s preference. In 2019 it is drawn from Eygats, and only three barrels were made. Complex and focused, with a tense energy within. Floral and spiced on the finish.

The Plateau du Piedlong is the highest point in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, and has well-draining sandy soils. Its wine is distinctly different from Vieux Télégraphe: finer in frame, and much more obviously Grenache based (this variety makes up 90% of the blend, with the other 10% coming from Mourvèdre). Piedlong can sometimes feel a little earthy and rustic, but this 2019 is pure finesse, with sweet strawberry fruit and silky tannins, and a little lift of paprika spice.

Domaine du Clos des Tourelles is owned by the Perrin family of Ch de Beaucastel, and this Gigondas is made by the same brilliant winemaking team as their Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It comes from old Grenache vines planted in the heart of the village. It has gorgeously sweet, poised red fruits on the nose - confit strawberries, cranberries, and wild garrigue hebs. The palate is seamless and silken, A small dash of Syrah in the blend adds a light structural frame. This is a wonderful wine that will drink well from early on.

This legendary wine comes from the vines situated right at the top of the Hermitage hill, near the chapel, on very old, decomposed granite soils. The 80 year old vines have produced unfathomable precision and complexity in this 2019. Sichuan pepper on the nose, and supple, seamless black fruit on the palate. The tannins are effortlessly woven together. A showstopper.

Crozes-Hermitage is the sweet spot of the Delas offering. This is their no-nonsense, great value, fruit-driven Syrah with notes of anise and red berries. Sadly in 2019 some of the parcels were badly hit by the June hailstorm, so volumes are severely reduced. But thanks to the fragmented layout of the holdings, some were left unscathed, and quality remains as high as ever.

Delas only makes a wine from this celebrated site on Hermitage in the very best years. It comes from a parcel of old vines, and makes a wonderfully intense wine with dark fruit precision, elegance, and power.

This is one of our favourite wines from Jaboulet. Whilst it might not have the pedigree of La Chapelle, in terms of pure pleasure, and great value to boot, this is one of the most exciting wines in the Jaboulet stable. Volumes are down in 2019 due to the June hail storm that hit Crozes Hermitage, so snap this up whilst you can.