Rhône: New Releases

Le Gréal is a unique and special blend, and the signature wine of the Sorrel domaine. 90% is drawn from the lauded Le Méal parcel, at 10% from Les Gréffieux, on the Hermitage hillside. There is a small amount of Marsanne co-planted amongst the Syrah that makes it into the blend, adding freshness and mollifying the tannins. These Sorrel vines date back to 1928 and produce exquisite concentration. This is an astonishing wine, and consistently one of the hottest tickets in the Northern Rhône. It is fragrant, concentrated, powerful and poised. It demands cellaring, and will reward many times over for those who can wait.

The Rostaings only make Côte Brune in the very best vintages, and 2017 fits the bill. Wonderful nose and palate, so fine and juicy, with silky acidity and excellent purity. There’s an energy here, with guts and depth, so much structure, and also so much classicism, but opulent, too, in its own way. Incredible.

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.

Very floral and expressive. Red and blue fruit, and lifts from the glass with energy and purity. The palate is silky and fresh, so saline on finish, and there’s a different level of texture here. It lasts for minutes.

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.

Greffieux is situated at the bottom of the Hermitage hill on alluvial soils, and in 2019 has produced a stunningly beautiful wine. There is so much juice in this Syrah. It has an ethereal, floral, peppery nose that whispers of violets and chinese spice. The palate is supremely well balanced. Magnificent.

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.

From 65 year old vines grown in a parcel with particularly thin top soil over a granitic subsoil. The fruit expression is sweet and intense, you can almost feel the sun beating down on the vines when you smell it. A compact palate of velvety tannins, and a long finish of black fruit and licorice spice.

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 unquestionably one of the greatest vineyards in Côte-Rôtie and in 2019 is powerful and structured, yes with the vintage’s naturally ripe, silky tannins.Balanced, fresh, and extremely long.

The Hermitage La Chapelle from Jaboulet comes from a blend of the best plots on the Hermitage hillside, and takes its name from the chapel that perches on the hill above the town of Tain. 2019 is an elegant, poised, and persuasive iteration of what is rightly regarded as one of the finest wines in the Northern Rhône.