Rhône: New Releases

Alain Graillot has long reigned as Crozes-Hermitage’s most respected grower, and this 2019 is affirmation of that position. This wine has dark smoky fruit on the nose - blackcurrants, black olives, and nutmeg spice. The palate has such an impressive texture, with abundant, ripe, but poised tannins so neatly knitted together. Its long, fresh finish ensures this should age well.

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.

Alain Voge’s pithy sparkling wine, Les Bulles d’Alain, is unlike anything else we have on our list. It is lively, dry, refreshing, and refined. If you’re in the mood for bubbles, but don’t want the weight of a Champagne, this is the perfect option, and a smart price too. It’s a very good example of why Saint-Péray has built its renown for sparkling wines.

This wine is only made in the best vintages. The wine’s intensity is dialled up, thanks to the 30% whole bunch fruit used and ageing in 30% new oak. There is so much density here, with abundant but fondant tannins. One for the long-haul.

Alongside their impressive reds, the domaine makes wonderful still whites from Marsanne. Saint-Péray Ongrie is a mouth-watering white, with Marsanne’s satisfying and refreshing bitterness matched to fresh, ripe fruit.

This is the second of the domaine’s signature cuvées (the other is Cornas Les Chailles). It comes from, unsurprisingly, the old vines which are planted further up the slopes at altitudes ranging from 250-400m. Small amounts of whole bunch fruit add freshness and silkiness. Superb old vine intensity, this is concentrated but still so accessible.

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.

The south-facing schist-terraced Les Picaudières vineyard produces age worthy, expressive, sumptuous wines. It is a triumph in 2019. Focused, and full of energy. It’s just a shame there is so little to go around. Don’t hesitate to snap this up.

Much like the Coudoulet Rouge, this is outstanding value for money. But until the Coudoulet Rouge, it is produced in miniscule quantities, so it’s a pleasure to have some at all. Like a baby Beaucastel Blanc.

The is a legendary white in the Southern Rhône. It comes from a tiny parcel of gnarled old Roussanne vines, and is produced in tiny quantities. In 2019 only 6000 bottles were produced.

This is a blend of Roussanne (80%), Grenache blanc (15%), and Picardan/Clairette/Bourboulenc (5%) from a 7 hectare plot. It is one of the finest white blends in the Southern Rhone.

The Coudoulet vineyard lies right next to Château de Beaucastel’s main block, and is in fact a continuation of the same soil features. That it lies just beyond the limit of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape boundary, and made by one of the southern Rhône’s greatest winemaking families, means it might just be the best Côtes du Rhône money can buy. The 2019 is dark and structured with meaty tannins and a firm, spicy backbone, drenched in blackcurrants and wild herbs. Powerful tension for a Côtes du Rhône with excellent ageing potential.

One of the most celebrated blends of the southern Rhône, notable for its high proportion of Mourvèdre in the blend, which gives cool cassis fruit, structure and length. Grenache adds sweet berry tones and a supple texture, and Syrah a dark, powerful concentration, with liquorice intensity. There are some substantial tannins in the background, setting it up for long ageing, and some impressive freshness, bringing the wine together. Magnificent.

Honey-scented, and brimming with blossom and orchard aromas. The palate is dry but rich and nicely weighted. It is a blend of mainly Marsanne and Clairette. The Marsanne is grown on limestone and brings a pretty fruit character. The Clairette meanwhile comes from some extremely old vines, aged 140-150 years old. It brings an amazing freshness to the wine, not built around acidity but around salinity. This is such a characterful white, vibrant and charming.

Baron Louis, their flagship red, is a testament to Rodolphe’s efforts to preserve local traditions and old rare varieties. The base is a classic 50% Grenache. But the other half is made up of floral Cinsault, powerful Mourvèdre, fresh Counoise, and fruity Carignan. The good value for money here cannot be overemphasized. Juicy, floral, fresh and poised.

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.

Made from 70+ year old Grenache vines, with splashes of Syrah, Carignan and Cinsault. The 2012 Vieilles Vignes shows intense depth of fruit while maintaining freshness with wonderful acidity and a long, savoury finish.

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.

Much like Vincent’s red blend, his white is one of the most respected and age-worthy in the appellation. Fruity and floral in youth, the Clos des Papes whites take on a nutty, savoury dimension with age, and are well worth cellaring.

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.

2019 is the second, and sadly last, vintage of this wine, which comes from a plot of very old (100 years+) vines found just 200m from the appellation boundary of St Joseph. It is a blend of local varieties like Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier, with the striking addition of a Savoyard grape variety: Jacquère. Usually, this variety is found on the Alpine slopes, and makes salty, mineral, vibrantly high-acid wines. The 2019 is lower in alcohol and lighter in body than the 2018, with a distinctly salty twist thanks to the Jacquère. Don’t miss it.

At first it is lightly scented with notes of elderflower, pineapple and rose. With some air and time in the glass it begins to open up and show Viognier’s brilliant flare. It’s luscious, silky, and fresh on the palate, with a scintillating mineralogy woven through the tropical fruits making it irresistible. As ever, this is a benchmark Condrieu from the Perrets.

If André’s straight Condrieu is the benchmark, then this is a wine that transcends its category altogether. The vines here are approaching 70 years old, and the wine has explosive aromatics, bursting with ripe peach and nectarine aromas. There is so much tension and persistence on the palate. A wine of amplitude and indulgence, it remains a remarkably fair price.