Rhone

Yann Chave's Hermitage vines are over 40 years old and are rooted in a soil of loess that faces South-West that enjoys abundant sunshine throughout the year.

After 100% destemming, vinification is as gentle as possible with a twice-daily pumping over and vinification temperatures of under 28°C.

The wine is then placed in new and one-year-old demi-muids. Malolactic fermentation takes place in these barrels, and wine is kept here for 12 months. After this maturing phase, the wine will then spend 6 months in a vat to decant naturally prior to bottling.

The nose shows complex aromas of blackberry jam, liquorice sticks and spice leading to a full and generous palate. Mid-palate reveals rich aromas of ripe fruit and a hint of smokiness. The tannins are dense and intense, but with great finesse, giving the wine imposing structure and a long finish. A truly superb wine.

Move aside, cheeky little anything red  fora bottle of this gorgeous French rouge from the Southern Rhone Valley. Its pretty purple colour gives way to a red fruited, lightly spicy tasting wine with smooth tannins, a medium body and a fresh finish. This wine is made by the Perrin Family, owners of Château de Beaucastel, which makes some of the greatest reds in the Rhone Valley. 

* This wine is made from a blend of grapes grown in the Southern Rhone Valley and it was formerly a Cotes du Ventoux but is now a blended rouge from a wider area. 

Sang des Cailloux Vacqueryas is a labour of love and tastes like it. It's a blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre and Cinsault and named after the daughters of Serge Férigoule: Floureto, Doucinello, and Azalaïs. 

All grapes are hand harvested and fermented with natural yeasts in cement cuves with daily pumpovers then moved into 450 litre barrels for 12 months' maturation before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. 

This is a delicious, full bodied dry red from one of the great appellations of the Southern Rhone Valley in France. 

Succulent drink now Côtes du Rhône from the Sabon family, renowned in Chateauneuf du Pape. This wine has black and red fruits delivered in a beautifully balanced, silky, medium bodied mouthful. The blend is 50% Grenache, 20% Syrah with the rest Carignan, Mourvedre and Cinsault.

This is a great expression of the Rhône Valley, showing typical black fruits, cherry and mint on the nose. The wine is silky and soft, with ripe berry and herb notes on the palate. 

This is a blend of predominantly Viognier and Marsanne made by highly regarded Rhone producer, E. Guigal. Bright golden in the glass, with aromas of white flowers, ripe apricot and peach. On the palate, the wine is rich and full bodied, with intense yet balanced fruitiness. This wine punches above its weight in elegance and richness.

Deep crimson in the glass. On the palate, ripe dark berries take the lead with subtle spiciness offering balance and richness. This is a smooth and persistent wine with rich red-fruit aromatics.

This is a bright purple-red Syrah. On the nose, aromas develop with finesse and complexity with notes of blackberry jam, liquorice, a hint of toast and spice. The palate is full and generous with notes of ripe fruit and a hint of smokiness. Tannins are dense and intense, but with great finesse, giving the wine excellent structure and a long finish. 

Decant if drunk immediately. It may be cellared for 10 to 15 years.

Excellent value red from Domaine De La Charbonniere, with Grenache leading the way in this full bodied beauty, which is 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah.

The Domaine de la Charbonniere is owned by Eugene Maret, who owns 19 hectares in the Chateauneuf du Pape appellation, nearly six hectares in Vacqueryas and two hectares in the Cotes du Rhone appellation.

This is an outstanding Cotes du Rhone red with body to burn and flavours of approachable, soft and smooth spicy red fruit notes supported by a tannin structure of impressive velvet smooth framework and complex savoury, clean notes on the finish.

This cuvee is made up of a blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah, from the Garrigues plateau located near the village of Sarrians. This wine is highly perfumed with aromas of ripe red berries and smoky minerality. The generous palate offers intense red berry and lavender flavors and a touch of white pepper.

80 % Grenache and 20% Syrah. Nice freshness in the nose with herbal and wild blackberry notes. The palate is fruity and spicy with wild raspberry, rosemary and thyme notes. This is a balanced, well-structured and mineral Rhone red.

70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourv?dre from the Rhone. A rich, well structured wine. Full of plum and stewed fruit aromas. No oak results in pure fruit expression on the palate. 

Jeb Dunnuck - 94 Points 

"Mostly Grenache with 15% Syrah brought up in foudre and old barrels, the 2019 Côtes Du Rhône Les Quartz tastes like a Châteauneuf du Pape as opposed to a Côtes du Rhône and offers a powerful bouquet of red and black fruits, melted licorice, and peppery garrigue. With loads of Provençal charm, full-bodied richness, and supple tannins, it's already hard to resist, and I see no need to delay gratification. Drink this beautiful Côtes du Rhône over the coming 5-7 years."

Sourced exclusively from 2 family farms that are increasingly practicing sustainable farming. Most of the fruit is sourced from the right bank of the Rhone River. This blend of Grenache and Syrah offers aromas of wild berries, white pepper and cherries. Rich red fruit on the palate. Medium-bodied with a lightly textured style.

The Alary family's involvement in viticulture and wine production dates back as far as 1692. The estate now comprises 29 hectares of vines of which 26 hectares are Grenache dominant and 3 are Rousanne dominant - with holdings in Rasteau and Cairanne.

The wine is a deep red colour and opens with a nose of dried fruit, ripe plums and savoury notes. The palate is broad and rich with dark plum fruits and good tannin structure leading to a long mineral finish.

Unfined, unfiltered and organic.