Although strictly one region, the Rhône realistically can be split neatly into two. In the north, Syrah is king... famous appellation’s such as Côte Rôtie, Hermitage, St-Joseph, Cornas and Crozes-Hermitage produce stunning wines along with lighter tones from the whites based around Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne from Condrieu, Château Grillet, St-Joseph, Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage and St-Péray.
To the south Syrah combines with Grenache and Mourvèdre in the enchanting wines of Châteauneuf du Pape, Gigondas, Vacqueyras and the eminently drinkable wines of Côtes du Rhône. With its diversity of terroir and famous appellations, the Rhône Valley gives the wine-lover a great range of wine styles from some of the world’s most famous sub-regions.
Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – The Guigals predict volumes of only 3.5 million bottles for the 2017 Cotes du Rhone, as good wine was harder to source than in 2016. It's still bright and primary, with cherry fruit seeming a bit one-dimensional at this stage, although there's a welcome hint of almond paste on the crisp finish. Range: 89-91
Antonio Galloni/Vinous – ‘Brilliant ruby-red. Spice-accented dark berry, cherry pit and succulent flowers on the perfumed nose. Fleshy and
broad in the mouth but lively as well, offering sappy black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors that become sweeter
with air. Closes gently tannic, with very good energy and persistence, leaving a spicecake note behind. Drink 2018-
2022.’
World Wine – "...the 2017 Côtes Du Rhône Lieu-Dit Clavin reveals a deep purple color as well as classic notes of black licorice, blackcurrants, ground pepper, and earth. Medium to full-bodied, with plenty of tannins yet beautiful fruit, it needs 2-4 years of bottle age, but it’s beautiful stuff and I’d wager one of the best Côtes Du Rhône out there" Jeb Dunnuck
Wine Enthusiast – This wine is dark and earthy at first, but opens with airing to reveal bold notes of blueberry, mocha and peppery spice. This 50-50 blend of Grenache and Syrah is full bodied, richly textured and finishes long.
Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – It offers fabulous black cherry, licorice, wet gravel and ample crushed rock like minerality. Medium to full-bodied, nicely textured, elegant and polished.
World Wine – "Leading off the three Châteauneuf Du Papes, the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Les Trois Sources comes from more sandy soils just across the road from the estate. It always shares more stylistic similarities with the Réserve and is more opulent, sexy, and fruit loaded compared to the Hauts-Lieux cuvée. This 2017 is spectacular, offering loads of black fruits, black licorice, ground herbs, violets, and some obvious loamy soil and mineral-like aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, expansive, and multi-dimensional, this is another singular wine from Jean-Paul Daumen that tastes like the essence of this stunning terroir." 95 points Jeb Dunnuck
Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – A smoking Lirac that vies for the top wine of the appellation, the 2014 Lirac La Reine des Bois has gorgeous crème de cassis, licorice, pan drippings, wood spice and hints of graphite. Offering knockout purity, full-bodied richness and ultra-fine tannin, it tastes like a top flight Châteauneuf and will drink nicely for over a decade.
Wine Spectator – Key lime, pear and green apple notes form the core here, while light fennel, honeysuckle and quinine accents ripple through the bright, unadorned finish.
James Suckling – Lots of violets and blue fruit with cinnamon and dark stony aromas. Baking spices, too. On the palate, there’s black fruit and an attractive, bitter-herb kick, with very dense tannins and a powerful, compressed feel. Lithe, juicy blue-fruit finish. Very focused, dense and long.
Wine Spectator – There's lots to like here, with bright honeysuckle, acacia and star fruit notes leading off, followed quickly by richer yellow apple, lemon curd and verbena flavors. A subtle shortbread accent caresses the finish, where a stony hint ripples in the background. Drink now through 2024.
Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – Gorgeous as well, with pure blackberry, cassis, licorice, charred earth and crushed flower aromas and flavors, the Châteauneuf du Pape La Reine des Bois (roughly 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre and the rest Syrah, Vaccarese and Counoise) is medium to full-bodied, pure and layered. One of the more approachable examples of this cuvee I've tasted, it should be relatively civilized on release, yet evolve gracefully given its overall balance and freshness. Drink 2017-2027. 93-95+
All wines over $25 per bottle will be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
Delivery Times
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 5-10 working days.
Quality Guarantee
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
Sending a Gift
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.
All wines over $25 per bottle will be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 5-10 working days.
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.
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