Rhone Valley

Robert Parker 90"The sensational 2011 Vin de Pays Syrah-Sublime (100% Syrah) reveals sumptuous notes of spring flowers, blackberries, cassis, licorice and forest floor. Drink this complex, textured, full-bodied vin de pays over the next 2-3 years, although it may last even longer."

Rhone Report 92"The first vintage from proprietor Nicolas Souchon and a brilliant effort, the 2010 Mas des Volques Volcae X, a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Carignan fermented with 100% stem inclusion, offers up classic southern France styled qualities of pepper, garrigue, olive tapenade, and

Wine Spectator 95"This is a powerhouse, with roasted bay, sage and tobacco leaf notes running through the layers of dark plum, blackberry compote and roasted fig fruit. The long, almost unbridled finish flaunts muscle, coated with ganache, while a note of hot stone lurks in the background

Wine Advocate 91-93" The blockbuster 2009 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Centenaire tastes more like a Chateauneuf du Pape than a Cotes du Rhone. Dominated by Grenache with a small amount of Syrah included in the blend, the wine possesses great intensity, a terrific texture, full-bodied power, and

Robert Parker 96-98+"The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reservee, which I tasted from several foudres, is essentially equivalent in quality, but it has not yet been bottled. If I understood Paul Feraud correctly, he tends to prefer the 2009, but says Laurence prefers the 2010. In any event, this

International Wine Cellar 88"Orange-pink. Spice-accented aromas of redcurrant and cherry, with a hint of anise in the background. At once fleshy and nicely focused, offering sappy red fruit flavors and an enlivening touch of orange zest. Finishes firm and dry, with good grip and lingering

Wine Advocate 91-93" The 2009 Gigondas was scheduled to be bottled soon after my visit. Composed of 60% Grenache, 25% Mourvedre and 15% Syrah aged in foudre, this dense purple-colored 2009 exhibits copious amounts of meaty richness, blueberries, black raspberries, crushed rocks and flowers.

Rhone Report 93"A gorgeous Vacqueyras that's a blend of 70% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 5% Mourvedre aged 70% in cement tank and 30% in barrique, the 2010 Domaine de la Colline Saint Jean Vacqueyras is exotic and perfumed, yielding creamy blackberry, raspberry, lavender, spring flowers, and green

Robert Parker 90"An amazing offering, the 2011 Vin de Pays Orange Viognier comes from a selection of grapes Sabon made from cuttings in the finest vineyards in Condrieu. The wine is vinified in barrel and then moved to tank. Revealing classic notes of apricot marmalade, lychee nuts and

Robert Parker 88"The deep ruby/purple-tinged 2004 Chateauneuf du Pape offers expressive notes of kirsch liqueur, licorice, herbs, meats, and spice. This fleshy effort should drink nicely for 7-10 years."Wine Spectator 88"Starts off showing mature dried currant, cedar and garrigue notes

"The dark ruby-colored Cotes du Rhone Belleruche (primarily Grenache) exhibits delicious red and black currant fruit with sweet cherries in the background. It possesses a nice crunchiness as well as good focus and precision because of the vintage’s acidity and freshness." ~ RP"Color: Garnet

" A selection from a parcel of our Lauzes (limestone), a blend of 8 grapes (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan, Cinsault, Clairette, Picpoul and Bourboulenc), for a wine combining fruit, minerality and spice. A ruby color, a nose of berries and intense notes of minerality charm your taste buds." ~

Wine Advocate 88"The freshness, exotic tropical fruits, fragrant bouquets, dry, fleshy mid-palates and crisp finishes of these wines will be admired by consumers. These wines over-deliver in every sense."

Wine Spectator 93"Ripe and very sleek, with a dense core of cassis, blackberry and anise framed by violet and spice. The long finish drips with juicy fruit and subtle toast, with a flash of iron boding well for cellaring. Shows great freshness and balance for the vintage. Drink now through 2024."

Wine Advocate 89There are 3.5 million bottles of the 2009 Cotes du Rhone red, which represents an amazing value. A blend of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre, it comes primarily from the Plan de Dieu (Plain of God), which is situated northeast of Chateauneuf du Pape. This tank-aged, deep

International Wine Cellar 92"Deep ruby. Aromas of black raspberry, cassis and musky herbs. Ripe and smooth in texture but surprisingly lively, offering juicy dark fruit flavors and notes of spicecake and anise. Shows no rough edges on the sappy, spicy, very long finish. I also had the chance

Rhone Report 95"A brilliant Châteauneuf-du-Pape that should not be missed is the 2010 Les Cailloux Châteauneuf-du-Pape! A blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, and 10% Syrah (with only the Syrah being aged in smaller, new barrels), it has put on weight since I tasted it last year and offers up a

"This medium-bodied pink is meant to be poured this moment. Enjoy an artfully composed dry wine with full raspberry flavor and a finish to die for." ~ Winery notes

Wine Spectator 94"Rock-solid, with a great core of dark plum and fig fruit woven with incense, Turkish coffee, melted licorice and mineral notes. The long finish lets the mouthwatering acidity carry it all nicely. There's impressive drive and density. Best from 2010 through 2020. 2,500 cases

Stephen Tanzer 93"Vivid purple. A wild, exotic perfume of red and dark fruit liqueur, incense and potpourri, with an intriguing note of apricot emerging with aeration. Deeply pitched black raspberry and blueberry flavors stain the palate and are lifted by juicy acidity. The floral quality comes

Wine Spectator 96"Sinewy and reserved, with a light dusting of cocoa powder over the tangy damson plum, red licorice and cassis notes. The long, supple finish, with a lovely wafting note of Lapsang souchong tea, is packed with minerality and tight-grained tannins that will need time to fully

Wine Advocate 93 - 95" The fabulous 2011 Cornas Granite 30 is one of the great wines of the vintage. Elegant, with a black/blue color, sweet tannin and loads of spring flowers, crushed rocks, smoked game and blackberry fruit, this textured, loaded, supple, accessible 2011 should drink nicely for

Wine Advocate 95 - 97" The 2011 Cornas Granite 60 Vieilles Vignes offers an explosive nose of spring flowers, blackberries, blueberry liqueur, camphor and charcoal. It is a full-bodied, intensely concentrated wine that represents the essence of Cornas. The tannins are sweet, the acidity present

"The story behind Michel Chapoutier’s latest innovation, Marius, is one of deep family connection. He remembers his great grandfather as a man with an insatiable thirst for life – and he is also the dapper gentleman who graces the label on Marius wines.“Marius was all about the enthusiastic

Wine Spectator 92"A gutsy, fleshy version, with lots of linzer torte, cherry preserves and crushed plum notes pumping along, while toasted anise and red licorice fill in underneath. Features a solid, juicy finish. Best from 2013 through 2022."~JM