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.’
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.
Wine Spectator – This pumps ripe raspberry, plum and blackberry pâte de fruit flavors through, with anise, fruitcake and Christmas pudding notes adding range and detail along the way. Flash of bay on the finish. A not-shy wine. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Best from 2022 through 2032.
Wine Enthusiast – Ripe, luminous wild strawberries and black cherry flavors explode from nose to finish in this hedonistic, intensely fruity blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. It's gorgeously primary in youth with a zesty mineral undertone, but is concentrated enough to improve, gaining earthier complexities through 2030 and likely further.
James Suckling – A very vibrant array of ripe raspberry, red-plum and berry-pastry aromas with mulberries, too. Very fresh. There’s a very rich and ripe, dark-fruit core here with a wealth of super plush and languid tannins that are dense yet soft. This is a hallmark of the vintage. A blend of 45% grenache, 30% syrah, 15% mourvedre and ten additional varieties. Drink over the next decade and more.
Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – The 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape features gentle herb shadings, ripe stone fruit and berry flavors, and a long, clean finish. It's full-bodied but somewhat delicate and silky in feel. I'd opt for drinking this blend of 35% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre and 5% Cinsault over the next 7-8 years.
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+
Decanter – This has some interest; a little spicy kick on the finish that brings character and complexity. There’s a good sense of freshness and it’s very concentrated, with ripe black cherry flavour. The alcohol is on the high side, but this is classic stuff. Has some depth of gummy texture and an intense muscular grip to the tannins with a long, resonant finish. Charvin rarely shows well from barrel, so this could be very good indeed when it's mature. Organically grown at the north-west of the appellation, lieux-dits Cabrières and Maucoil, galets roulés and sand. It's fermented and then aged for 21 months in concrete using indigenous yeasts, then bottled unfiltered. Drinking Window 2022 - 2030. (MW)
Wine Spectator – A ripe, lush style, with warm and inviting plum, fig and boysenberry confiture notes gliding through. Offers a beautiful polished feel, with suave anise and black tea flavors filling in on the finish while the fruit just sails through. Relies primarily on fruit, and you can't blame it for that. Drink now through 2030.
Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – La Nerthe's 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee des Cadettes is a blend of approximately one-third each Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Eighty percent of the wine spent a year in new oak barrels, but much of that has been absorbed into the wine, and I see that my notes don't make reference to overt oak descriptors. Scents of raspberry and spice lead the way, followed by a firm, full-bodied palate. The tannins are present from front to back, but they're ripe and silky, lingering elegantly on the finish.
The Rhone Valley, stretching along the Rhone River in southeastern France, is one of the world's most esteemed wine-producing regions. Split into two distinct areas, the Northern and Southern Rhone, each boasts its own unique climate, soil, and grape varieties. The Northern Rhone, characterized by its steep slopes and granite-based soils, primarily cultivates Syrah grapes. On the other hand, the Southern Rhone has a more Mediterranean climate with warmer temperatures, leading to a diverse range of grape varieties such as Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault. The history of winemaking in the Rhone Valley dates back to ancient Roman times, with the region's wines gaining recognition for their deep flavors, complex aromas, and aging potential. Over the years, the Rhone has consistently maintained its reputation for producing wines that are both distinctive and expressive of their terroir.
The Rhone Valley is situated in southeastern France, stretching along the Rhone River from its origins in the Swiss Alps, southwards to the Mediterranean Sea. This picturesque wine region, with its verdant vineyards and ancient vine-covered terraces, boasts a rich history steeped in winemaking traditions. Travelers visiting the Rhone will find themselves immersed in a landscape dotted with historic towns, stone-built villages, and iconic landmarks, making it not only a wine lover's paradise but also a destination of cultural significance. The valley's proximity to the Mediterranean influences its climate, and its diverse geography has led to the delineation of various appellations and terroirs within the region.
Rhone wines are revered globally for their exceptional quality, depth, and character. The region offers an array of wines, ranging from the prestigious and collectible to the everyday and accessible. While the Northern Rhone produces some of the world's most sought-after Syrahs that might carry a higher price tag, the Southern Rhone is known for its value-driven wines, especially its Cotes du Rhone blends. This dual nature of the Rhone wine market ensures that there's something for every palate and budget. Whether one is seeking a complex Hermitage to cellar or an approachable Grenache blend for a casual evening, Rhone wines deliver both quality and affordability.
The Rhone Valley's uniqueness stems from a confluence of factors. Its history of viticulture dates back to ancient Roman times, adding layers of tradition and expertise to its winemaking practices. The region's diverse geography, ranging from the steep, granite-laden terraces of the Northern Rhone to the sun-bathed plains of the Southern Rhone, results in a wide variety of terroirs. This diversity is further complemented by its microclimates, influenced by the Mistral wind, and its rich array of grape varieties. Furthermore, the passion and dedication of the local winemakers, who respect both tradition and innovation, play a pivotal role in crafting wines that truly resonate with the essence of the Rhone.
The Rhone Valley is best known for its red wines, particularly those made from the Syrah grape in the North and the Grenache grape in the South. The Northern Rhone's signature wine is Syrah, which manifests as robust, peppery, and often with flavors of dark fruits and violets. Iconic appellations like Cote Rotie and Hermitage produce some of the world's finest Syrah wines. The Southern Rhone, on the other hand, is renowned for its blended reds, predominantly featuring Grenache, often complemented by Mourvèdre and Syrah. Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, and Vacqueyras are among the notable appellations here, producing wines that are fruit-forward, spicy, and with good aging potential.
Determining the "best" wines from the Rhone Valley is subjective, as it depends on personal preferences. However, some consistently acclaimed wines emerge from this region. In the Northern Rhone, the Syrahs from appellations such as Cote Rotie, Hermitage, and Cornas are highly esteemed. Labels like Guigal's "La La" Cote Roties and Jean-Louis Chave's Hermitage are just a couple of the many revered wines. In the Southern Rhone, the blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, especially those from renowned producers like Chateau Beaucastel or Domaine du Pegau, are often lauded. Moreover, the region also offers exceptional white wines, like the Marsanne-Roussanne blends from Hermitage or the aromatic Viogniers from Condrieu, which deserve special mention.
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, 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 3-6 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.
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, 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 3-6 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.