25% of phylloxera-ravaged Chablis was replanted in the late 1800s with young vines from the Vullien nursery; 100% pinot noir from dark Jurassic limestone and black marl soils in the Combe de Savoie; unoaked. Medium dark red violet. Very savory of high altitude pinot. Epitome of the vernacular. That special savor carries over on the palate too, both flavor wise and texture wise. Couldn't be more emblematic. 92/100. Positive attendee comments. 'Mountain weight, fully ripe, fine tannins, fine length, black cherry finish.' At 24 hours: 'Black cherry even more evident on the nose. Cool climate acidity. Again the length deserves praise. A touch of grip; a year or two might burnish its structure.'

6 generation family estate; clay-limestone soil, which suits mondeuse noire, planted mainly in Savoie. Dark red violet. Fresh, cool, high altitude, tonic, penetrating. Larger than the norm. Yes, exceptional body and extract. Even a good dose of fine grained tannin. Flavorful and long. Fine vintage of this. 92+/100. Attendees enjoyed its super fruity, fresh and grapey nose and its accurate varietal character, as well as acid and tannin for backbone. Declared food worthy.

6 generation family estate; clay-limestone soil, which suits mondeuse noire, planted mainly in Savoie. Amazingly dark purple color for age, region, variety. The sweetness and fullness and great delivery of varietal character are presaged by the color. Wow. Fresh and full, purple fruited mondeuse. Unusually concentrated, but that doesn't obscure the high altitude 'lift' of this wine. Good acidity, of course. Light dusting of fine grained tannin adds to the textural appeal. Well exceeds expectations. 91/100.

2019: Reserve and refinement; high altitude definition with plenty of material. Spot on. More to come. Yes, compact, with fine tannin and plenty of fruit extract. Needs cellaring to warrant the outlay. One loaded mondeuse. I have buyers for this. 91++/100.

6 generation family estate; from jacquere; finally, a new vintage of this. At first sniff and sip, it's BACK! Man, I've missed a bright, fresh vintage of this for the last year or so. Lightly fragrant of white fruits and flowers, nicely padded, this is classic jacquere. Oh, and good and zingy acid too. They ought to put this in liter bottles. Love the modest alcohol level. Not quite as brisk as the 2021, following the pattern of most of the dry white Euro wines we've tasted. No problem. 91/100. White of the Night all around.

All jacquere; est. 1950s; vines 70-75 years old. This too has lower key aromatics than it probably did a year or two back. Maintains racy appeal and foodworthiness thanks to that great 2021 acidity. Well, more varietal flavor than aroma, and nice fruit sweetness to complement the acidity. Honestly, this has full appeal at this stage, flavor-, texture-, and balance-wise. 91/100. Liked by attendees. 'Mineral driven, and still fresh.'

Boy, that's a splashy nose! A little apple blossom ferment aroma yet. Rest is solid. Again, the ferment aspect. This has the basis of a fine summer white if given a few more weeks. The acid/sweet balance is good. 91+/100. Tasted 6/6/24.

Wine Spectator 91: 'Juicy and fresh, with a very focused beam of white peach, quinine, honeysuckle and fennel frond notes, ending with a nice piercing feel on the finish. Drink now through 2023.'

On dark Jurassic limestone and black marl with a pebbly topsoil layer of scree; no malo; 40 years of winegrowing and generations in the vine nursery business; 25% of Chablis' post phylloxera chardonnay vines came from the Vullien nursery. A lot of varietal personality and aromatic intensity. Apple, pear, and suggestion of barely ripe stone fruit. These echo on palate and draw up even more flavor concentration. Well balanced fruit acidity leaves the finish burnished, cleansing, and lengthy. 92/100.

From vineyards around Cornas and Saint Joseph; unoaked. These used to be strongly reductive. Much improved the last couple of vintages. Lots of sweet black fruit. Missing the aromatic spectrum of the superior northern Rhone syrahs. Costs a lot less!. Spicier on the palate. More tannin than usual. Light reduction streak that's positive. Seems more ageworthy than its predecessors, so there's likely breadth, depth, and complexity awaiting it. 91+/100.

Latour's first Ardeche chardonnay: 1979; all chardonnay; limestone soil; oak-aged. The aromatic range and intensity, the body, and the complexity versus Latour's regular, unwooded Ardeche chardonnay speak loud and clear. Yes, full and complex in the mouth too. Even a measure of oak tannin. A singular take on chardonnay. The great acidity of 2021 gives it all the lift it needs. 91/100.

Est. 1991. Very pure and pretty 2020 take on northern Rhone syrah. Lighter hearted than the Vernay we had a week or two ago (half the price too). Just as exemplary of the raspberry (here red), white pepper, smoked meat, and lavender set. Flavors confirm. Flows easily. Very tasty indeed. Great acid vigor. No tannin intervention. Enjoy it. Or cellar to greater bouquet complexity. 92+/100.

Remains bright and fresh. By comparison to the 2020, greater range of syrah character thanks to the bottle age. It's less of red raspberry and white pepper. More cooked meat savors, and more floral highlights too. Less fruit concentration than the 2020. Very pretty flavor pattern. Light tannin to shed. 92+/100.

Vines planted between 1995 and 2007 on the granite plateau above Saint Joseph AOC; aged six months in seasoned demi muids. Heavy Bottle Award. A very pure and lovely northern Rhone syrah with a combo of St. Joe elegance and Cote Rotie grandeur. Wow; well done. Both rich and racy. Yeah, for a plateau versus slope northern Rhone, this is pretty serious stuff. Once again, no tannin issues but more complexity to come if cellared. 93+/100. Widely enjoyed by attendees. 'The nose couldn't be anything but northern Rhone Syrah. All the elements are here: floral notes, richness, smoky and spicy tones, white pepper and anise. Quite approachable now. Highly entertaining! Great structure. The perfect gateway wine for learning the northern Rhone. High quality and affordable.'

50 year old vines on the plateau adjoining Condrieu. Supremely cool, regal, aloof, nobly reductive. The essence of northern Rhone syrah beauty, purity. Yes, varietal over AOC terroir statement; a representative for all. A full spread of the classic aromas: raspberry, white pepper, smoked meat, lavender. In a wine world of ever lower acidity, this has great acid. The finest of tannins. Singular. 94+/100.

90% syrah, 10% viognier. Fresh, and convincing. Very bright northern Rhone syrah raspberry, white pepper, and lavender. 14 medium body and fluidity. Delicious northern Rhone syrah taste. Spicy too. Great 14 acid edge. Plenty of length. 92/100.

All syrah. 8 months in barrels. Rich, big, dense, sweet syrah stuff. Oh, yeah, big time raspberry, peppercorn, flowers. More-ish. 92+/100.

Wine Spectator 93: 'This pushes lots of alder, incense and singed tobacco notes to the fore, with commensurate cherry and red currant paste flavors following behind that, finishing with perfume and red tea accents. This is not shy with its oak treatment and very nicely done. Best from 2022 through 2034. $99.'

Wine Spectator 93/100. My notes: Est. 1481; 5-80 year old vineyards in Mauves, Tournon, and St. Jean du Muzols, all owned by Chave; aged 18 months in barrels and foudres. Heavy Bottle Award. Blackness of syrah, freshness of St. Joe. Depth and variegation. The raspberry and white pepper things. And some skillfully imparted barrel nuances that take nothing away from its terroir and varietal statements. Very fruitful 2020 palate. Sweet and inviting. Nothing to obstruct current use except a sacrifice of the clear bottle bouquet potential is sequesters. 93+/100.

Southernmost domaine of Saint Joseph, on the border with Cornas; a portion aged in barrels, 20% new, the rest 2 - 4 years old. Heavy Bottle Award. Dark red violet. Oh, is that intense Saint Joe syrah. I mean, it has Saint Joe elegance but in a highly concentrated form. Shows the way for southern Saint Joes. There seems to be some Cornas bulk to it. Yes, a walloping mouthful of Saint Joe take on syrah. The tannins are not aggressive; still, this has yards of bottle bouquet development to go. Glad this great estate is back in the market. 94+/100. WOTN for several attendees. 'Similarities to Cornas; quite a lot of wine here.' 'A very fine wine.' 'Nice Syrah!!! Real substance, real quality fruit length. Certainly bigger than I had expected.'

Parker 92: 'Interestingly, the 2020 Saint Joseph Les Coteaux was presented both as a bottled wine in my blind tasting (where I rated it 92 points) and as a couple of barrel samples at the domaine, from Chateaubourg and Glun (I rated each of these 90 - 92). The wine kicks off with vibrant, mouthwatering aromas of violets, mixed berries and anise, and it's medium to full-bodied, with melted, supple tannins, a creamy mouthfeel and a long, intense finish that hints at dark chocolate, salted licorice and crushed stones. It delivers plenty of concentrated flavor and should drink well for at least a decade.'

Parker 91-93/100. My notes: At Saint Jean de Muzols; grapes once sold to Cave de Tain and Delas; estate bottled since 2007; vineyards planted 1930s and 1978-1993; native yeasts; 60% whole bunch fermented; aged a year in seasoned cooperage; unfiltered. Like the 16, this is one large, heady Saint Joseph. Shades of Cornas. Barrel aging shows. Well, there are bright St. Joe syrah aspects. More tannin than the 16 of course, which we tasted just a month or so ago. Marches to its own drummer. I like the beat. 93+/100.

Dark red violet. Full and black fruited for St. Joe, but not without lift and coolness. Young. Full, fine grained tannin. The material is there; a waste to drink now. 92+/100.

Sand over granite at the brow of a hillside; 60% marsanne, 40% roussanne; yields 2 tons/acre; 60% aged 9 months in seasoned Burgundy barrels on fine lees; undergoes malo. Medium deep, golden color. Grainy marsanne and honeyed roussanne fully revealed at age five. Past the usual awkward adolescence stage of this northern Rhone dynamic duo. Round and rich, showing the added intricacies of barrel aging. Not a lot of flavor development yet, so I suspect another year will help. 92+/100. List price: $43.

Sand over granite at the brow of a hillside; 60% marsanne, 40% roussanne; yields 2 tons/acre; 60% aged 9 months in seasoned Burgundy barrels on fine lees; undergoes malo. Plenty of stamina left here. The sand lift, the granite savor. Marsanne's full body. I get the barrel and lees tweaks too. Low yields are the key to all. No grey hairs. This is terroir oriented and totally expressive of integrity. I guess the supplier panicked. No need to. Full bodied and satisfying mouthful with more bouquet likely to come. 92+/100. Attendees agreed.

From granitic soil at Mauves; 60% roussanne, 40% marsanne; vine age 5 - 60 years; aged 14 months in barriques. Oh, boy, nostril filling presence. And power beyond its statement. Fulfills varietal component expectations and is very ample for St. Joe blanc. Yes, equally profound in flavor and texture. I'm sure the barrels are seasoned. The wine is not 'woody' but it gains from time in barrel and subtle seasonings. Fruitier than the fine 2022 (which was tasted later in life), and just as desirable. 94+/100.

Wine Spectator 94: 'Very bright and engaging style, with a flurry of honeysuckle and acacia notes out front followed quickly by lively white peach, Jonagold apple and star fruit flavors. Light quinine inlay adds an extra note of intrigue. Lovely. Drink now through 2027.'

From three parcels of distinct soil types: Diognieres, alluvial; Peleat, sand, limestone; Greffieux, cobbles; aged 18-24 months in barriques. Dark red violet color. OMG! So much more stature, depth, range, and regality than anything's that come before this evening. You pay for what you get. 3/4 of the quality of a Chave estate Hermitage at 1/4 the price. Full, velvety spread on the palate. The finest of tannins. The fruit generosity of the vintage. Luckily, it won't need as much cellar time as the Chave estate bottling. The group was in awe of this. 97+/100.

Louis Barruol-Kermit Lynch joint project; 80 year old marsanne vineyard near the top of the hillside on limestone; fermented in Burgundy barrels; unfined, unfiltered. This is more advanced than the 2020 tasted a few weeks back. Year older, plus an earlier maturing vintage. It's not suffering from the mid life crisis of old time white Hermitages though. Like the 2020, it displays the more modern approach of both leading players. Good marsanne nuttiness and glycerol. Less weighty but more revealing than the 2020. Seems like everything is in place for a positive evolution. 92+/100.

Wine Spectator 93: 'Plush and smoky, with smoldering bay leaf and tobacco notes amid steeped plum and blackberry fruit flavors. Black tea and sanguine elements curl through the seductive finish. Best from 2020 through 2027. $29.'

From Mercurol, Martinelle, and Hebrard lieu dits; 30-50 year old vines of an ancient clone of syrah called serine; unfined, unfiltered. I can smell the brightness and elegance of the chosen clone. Damn attractive. Sweet and gentle approach of the vintage. Plenty good acid too. Good overall. Will get better. 91+/100.

The vineyards for Silene are hillside vineyards located in Larnage and Gervans. 50% of the Crozes comes from a parcel of young vines planted in 2003 and owned by Domaine Jean Louis Chave. The parcel is on the rear east-facing flank of the Hermitage hill. It is rare for Crozes to come from hillside granitic soil as most Crozes is situated on the alluvial valley floor. The grapes are vinified at the Domaine using indigenous yeasts and aged for 18 months in 600 liter oak casks. Very pungent. Comes right at ya. Super fruit volume, oak all absorbed. Sweet raspberry, white pepper, smoked meat. Subtle oak seasonings but more about broadening and deepening from barrel aging. Lusher than the 2021; more like the 2018. Good acid for aging. Coated tannin. 93+/100. WOTN for one commentator. 'Impeccably made; the roast meat, the pepper, the blackberry.' 'Syrah florals in spades; great acidity.'

Est. 1984; from 60 year old vines of a terraced vineyard on granite; aged 6 months in barrels, 15% new. Sweet raspberry, white pepper, smoked meat, and unique and attractive barrel augmentations. Crozes the Colombo way. Again, the sweet fruit and the northern Rhone syrah attributes plus that Colombo barrel factor. Good acid and moderate, fine grained tannin. A legit interpretation. 92+/100. List price: $32.

Est. 1962; from relatively young vines; aged 9 months in concrete eggs. Dark red violet. Noble reduction. I love it. Delve deep, and you'll find the essences of northern Rhone syrah, raspberry, white pepper, purple flowers, and pemmican. Even cooler and more floral on the palate. Quite unlike any other Crozes I've tasted, yet indelibly Crozes. Well balanced, with fine tannin adding ageworthiness to the finish. Well liked by the group, which enjoyed a 2012 even more, demonstrating the ageworthiness of this wine. 92+/100.

Alain's eldest son; from parcels adjacent to Domaine des Lises; 30% whole cluster fermentation vs 100% for Alain's Crozes. Oh, boy, moving kinda backwards in the tasting order from southern to northern Rhone really accentuates the northern syrah coolness and lift. Primo vintage of this cuvee, replete with a classic aromatic range of black raspberry, white pepper, smoked meat, and lavender. I smell a deal. Sweet fruited for 2020; more like a 2018. Light tannin adds texture without obstinance, so bring it on. Except it suggests bouquet potential too. Now and later. 93+/100. Attendees loved it. 'Full syrah flavor.' Cleansing acidity.' 'Oh, yeah!'

Alain's eldest son; from parcels adjacent to Domaine des Lises; 30% whole cluster fermentation vs 100% for Alain's Crozes. Inky syrah color. Oh, that's a beauty. Full of northern syrah elemental aromas of black raspberry, white pepper, smoked meat,; plus lavender overtones. Flattering degree of reduction under screwcap. Very, very pure regional syrah statement. Delicious suavity on the palate. Good acid. No tannins sticking out. Modern in a positive sense. 93/100.

Wine Spectator 92: 'A generous, alluring red, with red currant and cassis amped up with sweet spices, tarragon and singed cedar. Reveals cured salumi notes that add earthy, animal richness to the dense palate, firmed up by savory acidity and slightly chewy tannins. Offers a spine of iron that reins in the lushness. Drink now through 2030.'

Wine & Spirits 91: 'Richly plummy, this is syrah in all its violet-scented goodness. It has all the variety's hallmarks when grown in the Rhone -- bacon, violets, plums and spice -- with wood notes playing backup. The warmth of the vintage reads in the grip of the tannins and the heat of the alcohol, but also in the wine's appealing generosity. $35.'

60-80 year old vines on pebbly terraces; yields under 2 tons per acre; aged in barrels, 20% new. Since changing importers, this has become more reasonably priced. Was in the $50 range. Oh, a beautiful young Thalabert of a solid vintage. Pure northern Rhone syrah statement of raspberry, white pepper, smoked meat, and lavender. What a joy to see this back at a more affordable price. 2020 compact yet suave. Not disagreeably tannic, yet there so much more bouquet and flavor potential in its future. First class. 94+/100.

4 generation estate once selling to the cooperative; in the Terrace de Chassis zone; from vines planted in 1996; unwooded; Martine's selection. Dark red violet. Fresh, primal, slightly reduced. Bright and intensely fruity,/ Great acid to foil fruit richness. Flavorful. Raspberry, white pepper. Air and age will stand this well to alleviate the reduction. Tannin is not much of an issue. 92+/100. Positive comments like 'Very Crozes. Needs short term aging.'

Vines planted in the late 1940s; aged in barrels, 20% new. Deeper, richer in aromatics and textural aspects. Though barrel aged, this is not as 'woody' as the Colombo. Old vines volume, concentration. Big time flavor intensity and beauty. Fine tannin. Great acid. Well balanced. As 'pretty' a pair of Crozes rouges as I've tasted. 94+/100.

Wine Spectator 92/100. My notes: 16th century roots; from two plots at the base of the slope, one planted in 1919, the other in 2004; barrel aged a year, 25% new, 20% second year, 55% third year. Heavy duty Cornas take on syrah. Smells stronger than its label statement. The oak is apparent, lifting, complexing. Rich and savory fruit-oak melange. Carries well into the back of the palate and coats the tongue with fine grained tannin. More youthful than the Courbis St. Joe we had awhile back. Promises full complexity with cellaring. 93+/100. Super popular with attendees for both now and later.

Wine Spectator 94: 'This is packed with dark fig and blackberry paste flavors that roll through slowly but steadily, unveiling extra dark olive, sweet bay leaf, singed alder and juniper accents along the way. There's buried minerality that should rise to prominence with cellaring. Best from 2023 through 2035. $45.'

Parker 92-94: 'Nearly as good as the Confidence, the Durands' 2018 Cornas Empreintes is more open and approachable, with sexy blueberry, blackberry and vanilla nuances. It's full-bodied, creamy and plush, with a long, vibrant finish. Drink now-2033.'

2022: 80% grenache, 20% carignan; by a Chateauneuf estate. Fresh, fragrant, inviting. No syrah, and all the better for that. Good acidity, fruit, balance. 90/100.

Bernadette Latour, proprietor; at Violes. Medium to medium dark ruby. Oh, this is real grenache red fruit. Savory, meaty. Well textured. Flavorful. The strength plays well Open hearted and generous grenache. Wants food. Sally and I usually split half a bottle of wine together at dinner. We drank almost the whole bottle of this with lasagna. Irresistible! 91/100.

Est. 1920; at Gigondas; 75% grenache, 25% syrah; on cobbles. Odd to have a southern Rhone follow a pair of clarets and turn out lighter weight and less alcoholic. I suppose the cool 2021 vintage has something to do with it. Seems a perfectly good value. Grenache glycerol fills out the palate. Smooth, generous, well balanced, and very tasty for present meal time service. 91/100. Good attendee reviews and even higher ratings than mine. 2021 moderation enjoyed. Garrigue noted. 'Fine bistro wine with character.'

At Travaillon; 70% grenache, 20% mourvedre, 10% carignan. This is much crisper and cooler than the 2020 tasted a couple weeks back. Goes with the vintage territory. Sweetens up as it airs. Yes, more acid and flow than the 2020. In style, in tune. Not without tannin, but a shorter dose than the 2020. Just shipped, so a little terse. I have confidence. 91+/100. Opened up for the group; became quite popular. 'Interesting and long flavor.' 'Mourvedre plum, black fruit, leather.' Plus 'raspberry, spice, iron-laden spring water.'

At Visan; 60% 'shiraz', 20% each grenache, carignan. The black fruited syrah and carignan speak loudest in an harmonious choir of classic Med France varietals. Just as bright and fresh as the recently tasted 2021 and sweeter fruited still besides. Yes, very black, very fresh, very flavorful. To my tastes, one of the coolest and best in the series. Great finishing acid and texture. 92/100.

Parker 90-92: 'The 2020 Cotes du Rhone Coudoulet de Beaucastel continues this cuvée's hot streak. A blend of approximately 30% each Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah, with 10% Carignan, it boasts attractive floral overtones, hints of crushed stone and ripe cherry fruit. Full-bodied and impressively silky for such a young wine, it should be drinkable upon release and for at least a decade thereafter. Drink now-2033.'

At Courthezon; 65% grenache, 15% cinsault, 10% syrah, 10% mourvedre. Light, flattering air of reduction. Cool, collected Berthet style. Good aromatic range across the varietals. Medium bodied as usual. Lovely, elegant flavor. Fine tannin to the degree that it needs a few months for resolution. Well crafted, if not flashy. That's Berthet. 91+/100.

At Camaret sur Aigues on the Plan de Dieu; 35+ year old vines; 50% grenache, 25% syrah, 20% carignan, 5% cinsault. Black, bright, peppery, and in tune with the series I know and like. Yes, dark, racy fruit contributors with the grenache percentage relatively low as CdRs go. Runs deep and lasting, if less plush than the 19. Vintage style differences. Will improve as time marches on. 91+/100.

Parker 92: 'Boasts vibrant, fresh blueberry and raspberry fruit on th enose, is full-bodied and concentrated on the palate and finishes with some chunky tannins.'

80% syrah from 45 year old vines; 20% old vine grenache; native yeasts; unfined, unfiltered. Heavy Bottle Award. Gathering a deep, complicated bouquet. A strong southern syrah statement with old vines fortitude. Again, grenache contributes its smoothness on the palate. More bouquet potential here. A sleeper. 91+/100. Attendees were impressed with this, enjoying especially its syrah statement. 'Controlled and classy effort.'

All grenache. I'm a big supporter of the integrity of grenache; the nose of this 100% version certainly has good power and glycerol. Yes, presence, force, viscosity, grip, and tannin. One BIG Cotes du Rhone for hearty fare. Long, sweet, and commanding. I detect the hand of a Gigondas winemaker. 92+/100.

Dark ruby. Love this Cave's range since before I first visited it decades back. They epitomize the blackness of Cairanne's fruit statement. Dry, deep, and well extracted. And way cheaper than most domaines' Cairannes. Oh, yeah, this is a dark fruited classic, alcohol-derived glycerol coating its fine tannins. It may be labeled Cotes du Rhone but, I'm telling you, this spells Cairanne. And a very good deal. 92/100.

All grenache from a single parcel of 45 year old vines. Ah, that's the fresh scent of a cool vintage and a variety appropriate to Med France. Subtle, sweet strawberry and red raspberry. Wears its alcohol better than the lower content syrah does. Delicious grenache sweetness and roundness, with good 2021 acidity for balance. Useful tete a tete. And useful at the table now. 92/100. Attendees were split over which of the two to favor, the syrah perhaps earning more respect.

All syrah; 45+ year old vines in two parcels bordering Chateauneuf du Pape. Wow, that's one rich, powerful, old vines concentrated southern Rhone syrah. The fruit is sur maturite ripe and bears little resemblance to northern Rhone syrah other than the blackness of color and character. However, it's not New World syrah syrupy. Full bodied and tannic. Fully extracted too. Steakhouse syrah, not particularly to my tastes, but I respect it. 91+/100.

60% grenache 30% syrah, 5% each mourvedre, cinsault; vines 20-60 years old; from Vinsobres, Visan, Cairanne, Rasteau. Hugely rich, powerful, concentrated. Halfway to an essence. Just as majestic in flavor and texture intensity. Superbly well balanced--the richness, the power, the acidity. And the tannins are melted. What a generous, satisfying mouthful! 93/100. Wine of the Night candidate. 'Chave all the way!!' 'The nose blew a couple of us away, violet florals, delicious, structured, balanced, non-fatiguing, mouthfilling, long. 'Really great.'

60% grenache 30% syrah, 5% each mourvedre, cinsault; vines 20-60 years old; from Vinsobres, Visan, Cairanne, Rasteau. Very deep red violet. Wow, that's as cool and black and fragrant as a northern Rhone thanks to the 2021 vintage. It's got vintage lift, well hidden power, and a great complex of black fruit aromatic subtleties. Yes, laced with violets and lavender even. Chave does it every time, takes the best of what the vintage gives. Medium bodied, good acid of course, the finest of tannins. 93+/100.

70% grenache, 30% syrah on marl over limestone; yields of 2 tons per acre; aged in concrete vats save for a small percentage of the syrah which is barrel aged. Pleasant if not forceful or forthcoming at age four. Fits the genre. More flavor than aroma. Grenache strawberry, syrah raspberry. A pleasing and accommodating dinner wine at a good price. 90/100.

Est. 1946, bottling since 2003; at Fourmes, west of Avignon; 70% grenache, 30% syrah; vines up to 60 years old. 2020 deep colored. A vividly fruity nose that displays the varietals in total harmony. Sweet grenache core. Just as immediately appealing as the 2019. Well crafted. Cool Gard tendencies. Modicum of 2020 tannin, albeit fine grained. Some reduction under screwcap. It's tolerable and will resolve itself with air and age. Continues this cuvee's positive pattern. Definite value. 91+/100.

At Saint Marcel d'Ardeche, 45 miles northwest of Avignon; 60% grenache, 40% syrah, vines averaging 47 years. Cool Ardeche style. Yes. Spicy, unique. Both rich and elegant. Power is supportive. Deal. 91/100.

Syrah and grenache from a south facing, steep granite hillside vineyard in the Ardeche; the 1970 was a best seller at $1.79 during Village Corner's first year of business. Mmm, that's a dark and syrupy one for a cool vintage. Syrah plays big. Equally thick on the palate. No lack of acid, just a surprising degree of richness. Good balance, of acid, sweetness, and power. Tannins coated. Put right to work. 91/100. Commentators mentioned 'bistro style, old school, fresh, quaffable.' So it formed levity as it aired. The tannin was noticed all the same.

70% grenache, 10% each syrah, mourvedre, 5% each carignan, cinsault; vines average 45 years. The cork is long and genuine, but maybe it wasn't wide enough to start, because it's already stained 1/3 of the way up. As with the previously tasted Espigouette 2021s, there's no lack of ripeness in this cool vintage. In fact, this ranks with some of the most intense vintages in the series. Old vines with deep roots make a difference. Yes, ripe, spicy, and intricate. Ultra generous. All the fruit concentration it needs to bear the high alcohol. Mr. Big CdR! 92/100.

Grenache, syrah, cinsault, carignan; clay-rich soil at 300 meters near Visan; 30 year old vines. That's a fresh and young one too. Warmer clime and higher alcohol show. Inviting nose. Round and gentle. Wears its spirit well. Good material and dry extract underlying all, and modicum of tannin in back. Has mid term cellar potential. 91/100.

Half each grenache, syrah; from vineyards near the Chateauneuf estate. Oh, that is so bright and uplifting this cool vintage. Spread of red and black fruits that spell the components. Exceptionally well coordinated. Less flavor than aroma because of its coating of tannin. We'll see what aeration will do, but I'm betting the palate calls for a few more months of bottle aging. 91+/100. Aeration had positive effects. The relatively cool 2021 vintage's lack of bombast was appreciated by attendees.

Est. 1850; at Vacqueyras; 60-80 year old vines, half each grenache, syrah; Eric Solomon selection. This is rich for 2021. House style. Power without heat. Yes, signature body, texture, extract. Especially for 2021. Ideal vintage acidity. 93+/100.

80% grenache, 10% each syrah, mourvedre from vineyards on both banks of the Rhone. Fresh and sweet grenache to the fore, and I love that. Cool aspects of 2021 and its Right Bank component. Hard to believe the alcohol statement. It certainly shows no heat. 2021 freshness, lift. Grenache sweetness. Harmonious and lovely to drink now. Eminently food worthy. 91/100. Widely like by attendees.

At Sorgues; 40% syrah, 30% mourvedre, 15% each mourvedre, cinsault. Unusual to see a syrah dominant CdR cuvee. The color is dark, and the aroma is dark fruited, in line with the concept. Good flavor burst of both black and red fruits with roundness overall. Wears its alcohol well; it's nice and warming. Good acid, fine tannin, overall balance. Well executed encepagement, each variety contributing to the choir. In harmony. 91/100.

This one's new to me. Boy, the color suggests a lot of syrah. Blue-black for age six too. Syrah like black fruit. Linear 16 styling. More giving than nose suggested. Still, this is young CdR for age six. Has fine tannin. 91+/100. Later I find out it's all grenache, from its northern limits. How about that!

29 acre vineyard just across the Rhone from Chateauneuf du Pape, where Hillaire has acreage also; 60% grenache, 40% syrah. Wow, this is dark, deep, broad powerful. Great sense of old vines concentration here. The syrah content really shows. Rich and savory, large in the mouth. Great flavor scope, texture, weight. Big time, serious, weighty Cotes du Rhone. No particular tannin issues. Just more bottle bouquet to come. 92+/100

Vineyard adjacent to Chateauneuf, near Courthezan. 55% grenache, 25% syrah, 10% carignan, 5% each cinsault, mourvedre. Nose less buoyant, more compact, more forceful. It's all there; a sleeping giant. Black pepper and garrigue notions. Plenty sweet fruit for 2021 to counter the alcohol. This is fairly loaded. No tannin issues, so mealworthy now with hearty fare. More aromatic spread to come. 92+/100. Widely liked by attendees. 'Complex of raspberry, black olive, ripe fruit; smooth, low tannin.' Orders taken.

Est. 1960s by Famille Courtois; purchased in 2003 by Famille Jaume; 85% grenache, 15% syrah; at Vinsobres. Oh, that is bright and fresh. Purple fruits and berries, violets, and a positive note of reduction under screwcap. 2021 crisp acidity. Mouthwatering, really. Light dusting of fine grained tannins. Flavorful, balanced. In want of food. This improved with aeration into the following evening. 91+/100.

70% grenache, 30% syrah; 30 year old vines; yields three tons per acre. Suave and easy flowing, exemplary of both Lafond and 2022. Yes, sweetly fruity and inviting. Grenache feel and flavor up front, the darker syrah supplying background. Good juice, ready to enjoy. 91/100. Attendees appreciated its moderate alcohol and sense of balance, being ripe but not overripe or overextracted.

2018: Parker 90: 'Two-thirds Grenache and one-third Syrah, all raised in tank, the 2018 Cotes du Rhone Roc Epine is a fun, bouncy wine, filled with cherries and raspberries, yet it has savory underpinnings of black olives and earth. Medium to full-bodied, it's supple and easygoing, with plenty of intensity and length for a simple Cotes du Rhone. Drink now-2023.'

Parker 90: 'Two-thirds Grenache and one-third Syrah, all raised in tank, the 2018 Cotes du Rhone Roc Epine is a fun, bouncy wine, filled with cherries and raspberries, yet it has savory underpinnings of black olives and earth. Medium to full-bodied, it's supple and easygoing, with plenty of intensity and length for a simple Cotes du Rhone. Drink now-2023.'

Dark fruited syrah support and framing. Generous. A whopping big mouthful. Loaded with extract. Full feel and flavor. On the rustic side, as usual. Mighty giving for the price. 91/100. Attendees considered this a good value. 'Raspberry syrah base note; ripe, with anise tones.'

At Tavel; 50 year old vines; 60% grenache, 20% syrah, 15% mourvedre, 5% carignan; 30 year old vines; minuscule yields of 1.5 tons per acre. That 2018 fruit darkness and richness, plus a patina of bouquet coming on. One of the sweetest and richest of this cuvee I've tasted, exceptionally so for a Right Bank wine. Dry texture and fine grained tannins expand the textural range. Well balanced overall and ready to enjoy. 91/100.

80% grenache, 20% syrah. Orange and Roquemaure area estate vineyards. Grenache sweet, syrah dark. More Gard than Vaucluse in its coolness. Quite powerful but not to its detriment. 2022 ripe and smooth. Needs time for character development. Well positioned. 91+/100. Tasted 5/16/24.

Near Sablet; 75% grenache, 25% syrah. Dark red violet. Exceptionally deep and rich aroma for this cuvee. Good alcohol cool support. Yes, the flavors are equally ample, generous. And the strength and texture fully in balance. Lasting aftertaste. A very special vintage of this. No tannic resistance; go right to the table. 92/100.

Near Sablet; 75% grenache, 25% syrah. Senses of freshness and levity despite the alcoholic content. Not real forthcoming. Still, there are garrigue suggestions if one delves deep. Balance of 2020 fruit sweetness, power, and more tannin than usual in this wine. Lots of textural spiel and satisfaction. More cellar potential than most vintages of this. 91+/100.

60% grenache, 25% syrah, 10% mourvedre, 5% cinsault; 50 year old vineyard at Sorgues bordering Chateauneuf du Pape. Less forceful and more advanced in bouquet than the 20 Villages tasted a short while back. Quite the complex aromatic pattern, and definite old vines intensity. This is packed. Sweet and flavorful by comparison. The power is pretty well reined in, the texture is old vines dense. The tannins are considerable but fine grained. For BBQ and other hearty fare. This is loaded. 93+/100. Chateauneuf ambitions noted by attendees.

60% grenache, 30% syrah, 10% carignan. This has lift and richness and personality. All the positive features of past vintages rolled into one. Good acid, material, tannin. Adds up to BALANCE. Delivers! 91/100.

80% grenache, 15% syrah, 5% mourvedre. More robust and a year more along. This has a lot of aromatic range to offer. Almost to the extent of a Villages. Texturally exciting too. Heaps of both feel and flavor. Total harmony. Light tannin on finish for food. 91/100.

At Saint Gervais, Gard; 60% grenache, 30% syrah, 10% cinsault. Red violet glow. Freshness and buoyancy of a cool vintage and northern Gard setting. Lots of black fruit and a complexing spiciness too. Builds, enriches as it airs. Wow. Full acidity and light grip of tannin. Rich but not sweet fruit core. Race and balance. Savory and delicious. Good length. Will improve. In tune with series and vintage individuality. 92+/100. A big time group favorite for its lift.

50% grenache, 30% syrah, 10% each cinsault, carignan; 30 year old vines; aged 90% in concrete, 10% in oak. Sweet fruited and come hither, while bearing Right Bank elegance and moderation. Medium bodied, flavorful. Good acid, balance, fine grained tannin. Finishes long and well. 91+/100.

At Tulette; half each syrah, grenache. Medium dark red with some rim lightening. One of the sweetest and fullest bodied of its series. 2019 generous, forward. A good pairing of the two leading varieties. Yes, that's quite a mouthful for Servans CdR. The power is positive. Fine tannin promises augmentation via cellaring. 91+/100. Attendees enjoyed this for both drinkability and value. Several orders taken.

In the Roux-Quiot family for 125 years; 20 year old vines; grenache, syrah, mourvedre; at Gigondas; vineyard at the foot of the Dentelles. Good vintage of this. Dark, deep, structured, powerful. Complex aroma set too. Gads. This has Villages quality and intensity. Mouthfilling in flavor, body, texture. Again, a complex aromatic set. Large and lasting. Wears its power well. One of the best in the series. Tannins well managed so useful now. 92/100. Attendees enjoyed this. 'Intense, attractive raspberry nose and palate; nicely made.' 'Classic varietal aromatic range.'

80% grenache, 20% syrah; at Tulette near Visan on the Left Bank. Oh, this is deep and sweet and rich and dark fruited. No 2020 early resistance. Has 2020 grip and substance. No need to delay gratification though. Ready for the dinner table. 91/100.

Half each grenache, syrah, vines averaging 40 years; not sulfites added. That's a much fresher presentation than the Valreas a couple of weeks back. This is more like the Val des Rois wines of yore. 2021 and northern Vaucluse cool. Yes, cool, flowing, flavorful, balanced. Good acid and length. Very flexible at the table. This restores my faith in the new generation's efforts. 92/100. Commentators marveled at its freshness and forward, generous and appealing set of aromatics.

At Vinsobres; 5 generation domaine; 40 year old vines at 1500 feet; field blend of grenache, syrah, mourvedre, cinsault, clairette, bourboulenc. Dark color. Grenache sweetness and lift, syrah and mourvedre black fruit core. This has vigor and persistence. It won't let go of me. The fruit is sweet, round, and well composed. No edges. 2019 stylishness. Low tannin. High elevation, northern Vaucluse style. No need to cellar. 91/100.

6 generation estate in the Chaussy family; 70 year old vines on the north border of Chateauneuf; 60% grenache, 20% syrah, 15% mourvedre, 5% carignan; on clay and cobbles; unfiltered. Sweet, powerful, in your face. Strong and loaded with fruit material, unfiltered extract. Yards to go, development wise. With the strength and stamina to support long cellaring. Big time, chewy aftertaste. 92++/100.

2019: At Sorgues; on pebbles; 50 year old vines; 60% grenache, 20% each syrah, mourvedre. Logically large thanks to Villages status, producer, and old vines. Pegau power, ripeness, and sprawl. Deep, dark, savory, spicy. Well framed. One might mistake this for a Chateauneuf. Well, it wears its power well. Yes, full scale Villages and old vines depth and breadth. Serious stuff. The fruit is sweet, the tannins are fine grained and complementary. A really well managed, well balanced layout with good bouquet potential. Useful at the table now too. Long finish. 92+/100.

Lieu dit at Violes; 80% syrah, 15% cinsault (planted 1954), 5% viognier. Big wine befitting Saint Damien house style. Good black raspberry fruit without the other complexities of a northern Rhone grown syrah. Yes, sweet black raspberry flavor. A little pepper, albeit black, not white. Good acid. Melted tannin for 2020. Long, flavorful aftertaste. This will prove popular. Indeed, attendees enjoyed it. 92/100.

At Saint Gervais in northern Gard; 60% grenache, 30% syrah, 5% each cinsault, mourvedre. Oh so cool a Gard expression in 2021. Cut from the same cloth as the 21 Cotes du Rhone, only here there are two layers of cloth. Fresh, lifted, complicated nose. Full Villages body and texture. And good, full 2021 acidity. Add fine tannin for texture. Does the series proud. 92+/100. 'Love the style; lovely nose and flavor.' 'Black cherry, black olive, lovely aromatics; surprisingly smooth.'

60% grenache, 25% syrah, 15% mourvedre; vine age 40 years minimum. Dark red violet. Old vines' added concentration, blacker composition, and that special touch of class that 2021 delivers. Yes, this just soars, quite like no previous vintage. Plenty of the extra substance of this cuvee. Coolness and lift of the vintage. 93+/100. 'More complex; perfect of type.' 'Old vines intensity; pedigree shows; cellar candidate.'

Jean-Baptiste & Francois; 70% grenache, 30% syrah; 40 year old vines; yields under 3 tons per acre. Lirac cool, cranberry like take. Spot on Right Banker. Rich grenache meets dark and firm syrah. Again, that sense of Gard coolness. Racy acid and flow in cool 2021. Hides its 14% well. No tannin and plenty flavorful so inviting for this fall and winter service. 92/100. Generally well liked: 'Serious; grenache raspberry, syrah foundation; 21 acidity, lack of overripeness.'

60% grenache, 30% syrah, 10% mourvedre; on sand, cobbles, clay, and limestone; aged 4 months in new oak barrels. Crisp, cool, red fruited Lirac take on the southern Rhone set. Sweet cranberry aroma. The paragon Lirac Right Bank relief from Vaucluse ripeness and power. This really is a textbook Lirac. Suavity before a lightly tannic backdrop. Grows larger and richer as it warms and airs in the mouth. Lovely, light glycerol coating. Great acid, finest of tannins. Flavorful and definitive of Lirac. Lasting. Can be used now. A year or two will resolved the last of the tannins. 92+/100. Widely appreciated for its distinctive terroir statement. Wine of the Night for one attendee.

60% grenache, 30% syrah, 10% carignan. Dark ruby. Big, black Cairanne ambassador with the yielding nature of 2019. Yes. Old vines constitution. Cairanne sweetness and power. Grenache amplitude supported by syrah and carignan darkness. CLASSIC Cairanne. Bravo! 93+/100.

80% grenache, 20% syrah; on limestone soil. Heavy Bottle Award. Good and dark hearted Cairanne bully style. Dense dry extract. Plenty of black pepper Cairanne garrigue. Powerful, dark fruited, tannic, deep seated. Defines Cairanne, now a full fledged single appellation. Long, chewy finish. Good cellar prospects, or serve with hearty fare. 92+/100.

2021: 60% grenache, 30% syrah, 10% mourvedre; vines 37 and 65 years old; pebble covered clay-limestone. Dark maroon. Wow, rich and pungent PdD on the approach. Exceptionally so in a cool vintage. Maybe it's just the contrast from the previous two wines. Lots of oomph. The material is there, as well as vintage elegance. Both rich and racy on the palate. Less open and generous than the nose but a greater sense of Villages essence. Good flow and moderate tannins of 2021. 92+/100.

60% grenache, 30% syrah, 10% mourvedre; vines 37 and 65 years old; pebble covered clay-limestone. Lots of warm, ripe fruit, lots of power, lots of peppercorn and garrigue herbs. Sweet and suave texture. Strong, warm, and flavorful. A forthright PdD of surprising amplitude for a cool vintage. 91+/100.

80% grenache (planted 1948), 20% mourvedre; unfined, unfiltered. Not much aroma upon opening. Takes up a lot of space though. Oh, here comes the whole garrigue package! Most garrigue in a southern Rhone I've gotten in awhile. Black pepper too. Mouthfilling, evocative. Palate talks the talk. 92+/100.

Estate at Gigondas with additional vineyards at Travaillan and Violes on the Plan de Dieu; 60% grenache, 25% carignan, 15% syrah. Ripe and robust. The power is positive, both warming and cooling. The biggest Plan de Dieu I've nosed. Suggests a Vacqueyras iteration. Yes, the fruit is sweet, ripe, and persistent. 2019 forward. No excess power. Long and chewy. Fine tannins. PdD on steroids. 93/100.

Famille Lambert since 1935; Tasted following the 21 Pasquiers Plan de Dieu, same encepagement; hillside vineyards on clay-limestone. I detect the higher elevation here, a slightly cooler aspect. Also the slopes drainage, creating greater concentration. Nice tete a tete. In the same household but hardly twins. Yes, this is cooler, more in keeping with the vintage style. No hot rocks here. Probably the better cellar candidate, though neither is particularly tannic. 91+/100.

Fifth generation estate; 25 year old vines; 80% grenache 20% syrah; native yeasts; syrah aged in seasoned barrels; perennial Wed group favorite but not seen since vintage 2018. Headier still, and warmer, more southern. Really loaded as Sablets go. Grenache power and richness. Grenache smoothness, glycerol. In keeping with a fine series, though getting more expensive by the vintage. Lasting flavor and texture. Yes. 92+/100.

50% grenache, 30% syrah, 10% mourvedre, 10% carignan. That's sweet and large for Sablet and for such a young rouge. This ratchets it up a couple of notches in power and aromatic intensity. Sprawling and superb. Yeah, full bodied and powerful as Sablets go. Yes, lots of red fruit race this vintage. Cranberry, pomegranate. Great acid of course. Fine grained tannins for texture and food. Take it to the table Chewy texture. Lasting flavor. Overachiever. 92/100.

70% grenache (40-60 year old vines), 25% mourvedre, 5% syrah;. Oh, that's a satisfying noseful of Sablet. Sablet lift, attractive spiciness, cool disposition, and sweet core fruit. Full bodied for Sablet. Good strength too. Long, lasting flavor and texture. We have reliable, lower priced Sablets. This one, however, is worth a premium. The group agreed; a group favorite. 92+/100.

90% syrah, 10% grenache; aged 15 months half in concrete vats & half in oak demi muids. The oak makes a positive statement in this cuvee; always has. This is one aromatically complex titled Villages. The oak complex spreads across the palate too. Admirable flavor range and depth. Sweetness of ripe fruit. Up with past vintages if a little more backward at this stage. 92+/100. Attendees were impressed by the quality of this syrah and its upbringing. Might even pass for a northern Rhone take.

Est. 1988; 40% each grenache, syrah, 20% mourvedre on cobbles; average vine age: 30 years. With 60% black varietals, it leans toward the dark side of Visan. Seems more evident this vintage than in previous renditions. I like it; it's unique in its genre this year. Sweet fruited. The grenache comes more into play on the palate. Plump for Visan, which helps it to wear its alcohol well. Nice touch of garrigue spiciness too. Always a bargain, and in 2022, an adventure. 92/100.

Wine Spectator 91: 'Singed sandalwood and alder accents create a nice frame around a core of gently steeped plum and blackberry fruit flavors in this version. Well-inlaid warm earth and tobacco notes add nice range to the finish. Grenache and Syrah. $20.'

60% grenache, 40% syrah; northernmost CDRV. Pretty sweet and husky Valreas, yet there's a certain northern Meridionale coolness to it. Each variety has a song to sing, in harmony. I smell a good value. Even cooler on the palate. Ventilating even. Good acid. No tannin issues. I guess you could call it a 'modern' Valreas. Which is what I expect from Bieler. Good run of vintages here. 91/100.

Wine Enthusiast 91: 'Blueberry jam and violet petals introduce this delightfully satiny, berried blend of Grenache and Mourvedre. Richly concentrated and voluminous on the palate, it balances streaks of cassis flavor against swathes of peppery green herb and a lingering, charry finish. While it drinks particularly well now it should hold well through 2025. $25.'

7 generations of Coulons; 80% grenache, 17% syrah, 3% mourvedre. Dark, slightly ruddy red. This is coming along well. It was a bear at release. The substance and solidity of Rasteau are clear. Still, after 5 years and from a forward vintage, this is showing some give and the beginnings of bouquet development. Yes, much more yielding on the palate now. And plenty of Rasteau bulk, amplitude. Great flavor length. A candidate for hearty fare. 92+/100.

2019: 70% grenache, 20% syrah, 10% mourvedre. The black fruit of Rasteau personified. Black grape raisins and black pepper. Virtually as big as the estate's Vacqueyras and even Gigondas. Yeah, big and broad shouldered Rasteau. Dense black fruit core way down in there. Power and tannin. For blackened steak, or the cellar. 92+/100.

Terraced vineyards on the Dentelles massif; 50% grenache, 40% syrah, 10% mourvedre; unfiltered. Dark red violet. No problem reaching full alcohol potential this cool year. Conceals it well on the nose. Good power and presence on the palate. Good acidity too. 91+/100.

65% grenache (grown on cobbles), 25% syrah, 10% mourvedre; est. 1928; now run by 3rd generation Ricards. Having loved this estate's wines for years, I found the 2016 somewhat wanting, so I'm glad to have advanced to a new vintage that fully satisfies from the first sniff. This is Vacqueyras heft, complexity, and intrigue. No two estates' wines are alike. Great body, richness, spread. Both aromatic and textural range and depth. Back to the usual rewards here. 93+/100.

3rd generation estate est. 1928; 75% grenache planted in 1932 and 25% syrah in 1960; cobblestones over blue clay; unfined, unfiltered. Dark, ruddy red violet. The power is striking and positive. The varieties are in perfect proportion and sympathy. Old vines concentrated for sure. Wow; breathless. Big in the mouth too, flavor wise, texture wise, old vines extract wise. Great balance. The tannins are fine grained and will only add support at the table, so no need to cellar more, though it wouldn't hurt. Long aftertaste. 94+/100. Red Wine of the Night for at least one attendee.

2021: 80% grenache, 15% syrah, 5% mourvedre, vines averaging 40 years. Best Cork Award. In its vernacular, especially bright and cool in 2021 Bears its alcohol well; it's cooling rather than warming. Yes, there's unusual freshness and lift to this as well a Vacqueyras individuality. 92+/100.

Large scale if not as mammoth as the 20 Cotes du Rhone in its own field. Good acid, verve, vitality. I like its poise. 94+/100.

80% grenache, 15% syrah, 5% mourvedre. Youthful, powerful. The material surely is present. The nose is plentiful but the aromatics largely unformed. A sweet mouthful of Vacqueyras. The latest generation makes these a lot stronger and more abundant than when JC Mathes began to import them. Leads the way toward another successful Rhone Meridionale vintage. 92+/100.

70% grenache, 30% syrah. Good Vacq weight, range, fruit amplitude midway between the domaine's Plan de Dieu and its Gigondas trio. Spot on. There's some dry tannin gripping the palate too. Good 2021 acid. Saint Damiens call for patience. I like its build, poise, and classicism. And, future. 92+/100.

Wine Enthusiast 92: 'This powerful wine immediately coveys pressed ripe cherry, elderflower, rhubarb peel, fresh fuchsia flower and ripe Gala apple. All are elegantly carried by the vibrant acidity with moderate tannin structure. The wine is enjoyable to drink now. $32.'

Wine Spectator 93: 'A generous and polished red, with lush layers of red cherry compote, boysenberry, licorice and violet. Polished and voluptuous on the creamy palate, with tarragon notes. Well-built, with fine-grained tannins and graphite driving the long, svelte, cedar-kissed finish. Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah. Best from 2026 through 2032. $45.'

Wine Spectator 91: 'Elegant and high-toned, with expressive blackberry, blueberry and smoked plum flavors laced with violet and white pepper. Delivers dusty earth, sweet tobacco and charred mesquite, which add savory dimension to the pretty profile. The persistent finish is lined with snappy acidity and fine-grained tannins. Grenache and Syrah. Drink now through 2030. $40.'

15%; 80% grenache, 10% each syrah, mourvedre. Firm, strong, full of resolve. Plenty of terroir and varietal character deep down inside. More fruit on the palate. Revealing style of 2019. Full, fine grained tannins. Pretty much a textbook example of its AOC. Lasting finish. Wears its power well. 93+/100.

72% grenache, 23% syrah, 3% mourvedre, 2% cinsault. Long, real cork. Full ruby color. Gigondas body and concentration. The alcohol spells size without burn. This wine's ample material contains it well, in fact, deserves it. On the palate too, just a pattern for Gigondas. Power, extract,, texture, tannin, length. All magnified and all in harmony. Ranks with the best vintages of this long liked series. Continues to be priced at 2/3 the Gigondas average. 94+/100.

80% grenache (60+ years), 10% each syrah, mourvedre (30+ years). Drier, closer, more powerful than the 19 Espigouette Vacqueyras. Bigger and more backward. Yeah, a tough guy at this stage. Each is a good example of its vintage's character. I could take the Vacqueyras to the table now. This one goes directly to the cellar. 93++/100.

Parker 91-93: 'Marked by scents of Provence herbs, cherries and blueberries, the 2019 Gigondas is another successful example of this Southern Rhone appellation. Full-bodied and concentrated, it's rich and velvety in feel, with a long finish. Drink 2023-2030.'

From steep, terraced vineyards; 75% grenache; 13% syrah, 12% mourvedre; aged half in vat, half in barrels, second to fourth fill for a year. That's big and bold; that's Gigondas. Thanks toaging, including in barrels, this has impressive flavor range and development. Legit, full fledged Gigondas at the lower end of the price spectrum. Fully satisfies for current drinking. Well liked by the group. 93/100.

Est. 1960; grenache, syrah, mourvedre; aged 16 months in seasoned cooperage; Uof M prof turned wine importer J. C. Mathes' original assemblage location. The high alcohol is cooling rather than hot. Elegant approach of the cool 2021 vintage. Very desirable. Body and sweetness contain the power. It's a full blooded Gigondas. No current drinking issues. 92/100.

75% grenache, 20% syrah, 5% mourvedre. Dark red violet. A different varietal set and region heard from. Powerful yet sleek Gigondas. Defines the whole Pasquiers range and offers the most oomph, naturally. Plenty of sweet fruit presence. Gigondas ripe without going to extremes. Best value in Gigondas and easiest to drink in youth. Hits the spot and marks the series. 92+/100.

Grenache, mourvedre. Gigondas and old vines powerful and concentrated even in a cool vintage. Advantageous, actually, as it's relieved of some of its usual high alcohol and tannin. Impressively flavorful, rangy, full bodied, lengthy. Nothing missing here other than the obligation of long cellaring. Good for hearty winter fare now. Bravo. 93+/100.

80% grenache, 15% syrah, 5% mourvedre; vines 60-100+ years old. Mammoth, black, daunting. As always. Spells the estate and the vintage. Thank goodness it has had eight years to temper its tannins. Sweet and nicely rounded for its bottle age. I like that black, compact, frank styling. Tannins suggest it will go on in the cellar. However, put them to use with the right cuisine this winter. 93+/100.

70-90 year old vines; 70% grenache, 25% syrah, 5% mourvedre; aged 2 years in foudres. Full red violet color. I like the silkiness of Stehelin's Gigondas. Not a description usually applied to a wine of this AOC. Cool, dark, deep, noble demeanor. Moderate alcohol for the zone fits the pattern. Very confident poise, silky on the palate too. The finest of tannins here too. 93+/100.

Wine Enthusiast 92/100. My notes: That's the black fruited Tourade style. Large, well structured. Not bearish though. Ripe fruit and glycerol give it a 'sweet' roundness. This has framework, foundation, and power to make a full lledged Gigondas statement. Yes. 92+/100.

From the estate's oldest vines, now 80+ years; 80% grenache, 20% syrah; traditional, whole-cluster fermentation; aged 12-18 months in foudres; unfined, unfiltered. Monster truck Gigondas. The most forceful of our recent series of Gigondas wines. It's not overly spiritous, just large. Massive, chewy mouthful. Short on nuance, long on bulk. I've had older vintages of this cuvee. They gather bottle bouquet complexity and lighten up on the impact. I'd be cellaring this one. 92+/100.

Est. 1978; 65% grenache, 20% mourvedre, 10% cinsault, 5% syrah; in the northern CdP Chapouin, Coudoulet, and La Gardiole quartiers; aged a year in vats. Grenache to the fore, its sweetness diminished in this cool vintage. Well poised. Grenache strawberry and raspberry in the lead. Undercurrents of darker natures of mourvedre and syrah. Wears its alcohol well. Lack of bombast as usual. Now and/or later. 93+/100. Became more complex, showing notes of spices, orange peel, iron, and florals. Appreciated as forward and not overdone.

Wine Spectator 92: 'Gutsy and forward, with a cascade of mulled dark plum and black cherry. Shows grippy tannins and cast iron minerality that power through the formidable finish, which is marked by licorice root and dried herbs. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Best from 2024 through 2032. $55.'

Parker 92+: 'Charvin's gorgeously aromatic 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape—sourced from the sectors of Cabrières (Nord) and Maucoil—features scents of lavender, garrigue and purple raspberries. In the mouth, it's full-bodied and concentrated, with ample, ripe tannins, then seems a bit warm and rough, with a wooly-tannic finish. Give this tank-aged blend of 82% Grenache, 5% each Mourvèdre and Syrah and 4% each Counoise and Vaccarèse a few more years to come together and settle down. Drink 2025-2038.'

Wine Spectator 93: 'Marries generous cherry, damson plum and cassis with warm earth, savory smoke and sweet baking spices. Friendly and open on the palate at first, with fine-grained tannins and cast iron minerality holding everything in check. Reveals a fine dusting of pepper and leather on the long finish. Best from 2024 through 2038.'

Owned by the godson of Henri Bonneau; 70 year old vines; aged in foudres; unfined, unfiltered. Oh, big, sweet, sprawling. It always is. It's not really modern. Certainly not stodgy. Just Brusquiees. With aeration, the nose delves deeper and deeper. Sweet, powerful, broad, deep. Saturates the palate. The paragon of Chateauneuf generosity. 96+/100.

80% grenache, 20% syrah; on the north side of the La Crau plateau; sandy soil yields elegant wines; a young-vines cuvee. Always as dainty as its name, and particularly so in cool 2021. The emphasis on charm is once again fully evident. Ease, flow, elegance. No tannin obstructions. Flavorful. It does the series proud. 92/100.

I love this Chateauneuf vintage. The fruit is heart on sleeve and abundant. There's lift triumphing over power. / Yes, elegant fruit to the fore. Logical successor to the 2019 Demoiselles cuvee. This can be taken to the table now. 95/100.

Wine Enthusiast 94: 'This perfumed, blossomy expression of varietal Grenache is plump with flavors of strawberry leather and raspberry compote. The fresh-fruited, piquant sip has a delicately creamy mouthfeel. Fine-grained, persistent tannins and a hint of fresh herb linger on the finish. At peak now through 2028, the wine will likely hold further. $80.'

Wine Enthusiast 95; Wine Spectator 94: 'Densely fruited, with layers of red currant, raspberry and plum fruit paste flavors that stretch out slowly, unveiling notes of cedar, garrigue, brick dust and incense. A warm stone detail drives the finish, accented by well-buried acidity that keeps all the elements fresh and defined within the old-school rubric. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. Best from 2021 through 2036.'

Est. 1846; 55% grenache (80-100 years old), 45% syrah. Wow, that pungent and forthcoming sweet black fruit. Old vines concentration and high syrah content talking. A bomb of a Chateauneuf. The lush palate is fully in line. Pepper and garrigue add to the fruit flavor range. The absolute power is bucked by a sweet, fruity modernity. Big wine. 94+/100.

Wine Spectator 92: 'Round and softened by time, this wine's bottle aging has brought out softened tobacco notes that layer over cherry and bitter almond skin. Reveals orange peel acidity and cocoa bean on the palate, with campfire and olive tapenade accents. Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah. Drink now through 2028. $62.'

Wine Enthusiast 91: 'Ripe, velvety swathes of blackberry and black-plum preserves abound in this full-bodied, softly tannic red. A blend of Grenache (50%), Syrah (40%) and Mourvedre (10%) matured partially in oak, it is ripe in fruit but elegantly subdued by tones of freshly tilled earth, charred clove and graphite. Ready to drink now, it should hold well through 2028.

Parker 91: 'Domaine de Saje's foudre-aged 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape is 80% Grenache, with the balance being a blend of 14 other permitted varieties (counting color mutations). It delivers attractive cherry fruit and savory notes of peppery spice on the nose, while the palate is medium to full-bodied, supple and silky in texture, with a long, peppery-cinnamon finish. Drink now-2030.'

2019: Wine Spectator 93: 'A massive, brooding red, this shows the burly side of Chateauneuf, with grippy tannins surrounding a well of black fruit and licorice flavors. Packs a pleasing kick of menthol and wet stone accents, which bring freshness through the long, nicely chewy finish. Delivers good energy and focus, with hints of bitter cherry. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Counoise, Muscardin, Vaccarese and Cinsault. Drink now through 2035.'

80% grenache, 12% mourvedre, 8% syrah. 2019 openness, give. Realizes the integrity of grenache. Yes, 2019 and grenache full and round and strong and glycerol coated. It stands for generosity and value. There will be buyers. 91+/100.

Wine Spectator 93: 'Melted licorice, plum sauce, cherry puree and black tea notes all meld into a silky, suave and seamlessly-textured wine that leaves a subtle echo of lavender at the very end. Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Mourvedre. Drink now through 2032.'

Wine Spectator 93: 'Ripe and juicy, with a nice compact feel to the mix of raspberry compote, red licorice and red currant preserve flavors. Subtle garrigue hints dot the finish and there's a nice tarry streak as well. Needs just a touch of cellaring to coax it out fully. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault. Best from 2024 through 2034. $50.'

Wine Spectator 93: 'Sleek and ripe, with a lovely beam of kirsch, raspberry pate de fruit and red licorice notes streaming through, plus subtle floral and savory hints along the way. Solid finish, with sweet tobacco and spice elements. Best from 2023 through 2034.'

Parker 93+: 'Domaine de Saje's foudre-aged 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape is 80% Grenache, with the balance being a blend of 14 other permitted varieties (counting color mutations). It delivers attractive cherry fruit and savory notes of peppery spice on the nose, while the palate is medium to full-bodied, supple and silky in texture, with a long, peppery-cinnamon finish. Drink now-2030.'

Parker 94: 'The 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Imperiale is a big, super ripe wine, loaded with plummy, chocolaty fruit. It's almost entirely Grenache from sandy sites, made and aged in concrete. At 16% alcohol by volume, it's full-bodied and the tannins are ripe, creamy and supple, but the alcoholic heat isn't particularly noticeable. Give the bit of green stemminess from some whole-cluster inclusion a year or two in bottle to merge with the rest of the wine and drink it young, before the fruit fades. Drink now-2025.'

Famille Quiot, winegrowers since 1748; all 13 AOC permitted grape varieties planted here, vines averaging 40 years; aged 18 months, 15% in foudres. Heavy Bottle Award. VERY large, and VERY intricate. Haunting depths. I'll bet the entire range of CdP permitted grape varieties are in this cuvee this vintage. Wow. Power coated by fruit richness. Loaded with extract, full flavor range.The grandeur that is CdP, champion of Med France. A little tannin, great potential. 94+.100. Sure impressed the attendee who took the bottle home. 'At 24 hours it still seemed like a trip down memory lane. There's power but it's not based on extraction or pure mass. The spice box is here, with raspberry and a hint of smoke. There's a spicy, fruit driven finish. It handles 15% with ease. Complexity beats concentration. Fresh fruit acidity.'

80% grenache, 20% syrah, mourvedre, cinsault. It's all there. As grand as most CdP estates' Grand Vin. Intricate aromatics forming under the 2020 lid of fruit firmness. Even more spread as it warms in the mouth. Really deserves cellaring though for its firm 2020 structure and considerable dark toned tannins. 93++/100.

Parker 93-95: 'Tasted as a tank sample of the final blend, the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape La Crau is a blend of approximately 60% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 15% Syrah and 5% other permitted varieties, with about 30% whole bunches used in the ferments. Marked by ripe cherries and hints of complex garrigue notes on the nose, it's full-bodied but also really elegant, with fine-grained, silky tannins, ample concentration and a long, surprisingly crisp finish.' List price: $115.

Large, hearty, more powerful than usual. Dark fruited. A pleasing melange of varietal characters. Sweet fruit encounters fresh acidity and a fair modicum of tannin. All lead me to expect this will augment in the cellar for a year or two. Quite a prospect in this price range. 91+/100.

60% grenache, 20% each carignan, syrah.; one of the earliest J. C. Mathes selections. Lift of Ventoux's higher altitude vineyards. An harmonious encepagement. In tune with the series. Nothing askew. Just as well put together on the palate too. Great acidity. So versatile at the table. 91/100.

Wine Enthusiast 91/100. My notes: Grenache, syrah. 20-50 year old vines. Full red violet color. Sweet and full, and quite powerful. In form for this cuvee. Very flavorful. Full of black fruits. Good acidity. One of the better vintages of this. Light tannin does not interfere with current usefulness. 92/100.

60% grenache, 40% syrah. Dark color. Attractively ripe and forthcoming. Black fruit of syrah shows, and not to the detriment. Yes, good balance of grenache sweet filling and syrah framing. Bravo. Deal! 91/100.

80% syrah from 45 year old vines; 20% old vine grenache; native yeasts; unfined, unfiltered. Heavy Bottle Award. Gathering a deep, complicated bouquet. A strong southern syrah statement with old vines fortitude. Again, grenache contributes its smoothness on the palate. More bouquet potential here. A sleeper. 91+/100. Attendees were impressed with this, enjoying especially its syrah statement. 'Controlled and classy effort.'

14.5%. Full, warm 2015, well extracted 2015. Fills the nostrils with feel as well as aroma. Dry, almost austere. Which is strange for 2015. Full acid. Not yet resolved. Dry tannin. Worth keeping. 90+/100. List price: $16.

45% grenache, 30% syrah, 15% mourvedre, 10% marselan. Grenache and marselan swell up 2021's lean lines on the nose. No doubting 2021 crisp acidity on the palate though. Carries its 14.1% strengh well. Makes for quite a sensual adventure. 90/100.

70% syrah, 20% grenache, 10% carignan. Powerful concentration of dry extract that is southern syrah in a warm vintage. BIG. Yes, full, dry, and chewy on the palate. Delivers with full fare. 91/100.

Sauvignon blanc and viognier. Who would have thought of this but Rhone innovator Louis Barruol- And it works! Sauvignon citrus meets viognier honeysuckle, and they cooperate to the fullest. Flavors are just as dazzling, intense, and harmonious as the aromas. Remarkable for quality, compatibility, and uniqueness. 92/100.

Grenache blanc, clairette, bourboulenc, viognier; granite soils of the Right Bank; no malo. That's a helluva long, seeming genuine cork for a modest CdR blanc. Body and presence if understated aromatic properties. That's expected with this varietal set, when viognier is least important. Well, some viognier peach and honeysuckle sneaks in on the palate. Pretty full bodied. Balanced; sits right. Good turkey wine. 91/100. Perennial group favorite in its category; no exception this evening.

Grenache blanc, clairette, roussanne, bourboulenc; 40 year old vines. Wonderful aromatic spread and intensity, striking for the absence of perfumed viognier. Roussanne is left to be the pushiest. Even more aromatics in the mouth. Really quite full bodied as well as crisp. Textural aspects come forth. Grenache blanc body and 2021 racy acidity make a good combo. It's full, balanced, mouthfilling. Lasting finish from every standpoint. Lots of mealtime prospects, poultry and pork to the fore. Bravo. 92/100. Very popular with attendees. Orders taken. 'One of the better white CDR's I've had', noted one.

Largest white-wine producer in the Rhone Valley; 60% viognier, 15% roussanne, 10% marsanne, 8% clairette, 5% bourboulenc, 2% grenache blanc. 85% of the makeup is of varieties classic to the northern Rhone. Origin of the grapes here is unknown. It's never very viognier perfumey though. Rich, classy, harmonious, and unique in its genre. One of the best, most forthcoming vintages. Full in the mouth. Again, not perfumey. The alcohol is positive, giving body and presence. Whole greater than sum of parts. Great craftsmanship and table versatility. 92/100.

Est. 1923; grenache blanc, clairette, bourboulenc, roussanne, picpoul; vineyard at Roquemaure on the Right Bank. That's got body and presence and quite a lot of perfume for this varietal set. Roussanne to the fore, aromatically. Yes, and quite the fruity flavor too. Plus good 21 acid. Very versatile at the table. 91/100. The panel was in general agreement with my assessment.

Estate grown, 50 year old vines; 40% clairette, 30% bourboulenc, 20% grenache blanc, 10% ugni blanc. Wine Spectator 91: 'A creamy gush of peach and melon flavors show real concentration and oomph on the palate of this distinctive white, set against bitter chalky mineral notes, plus green herbs and smoke, with a beam of bitter lemon peel and steely acidity. This has a lot of life and tension, in addition to the opulent core. $24.'

Roussanne, marsanne, viognier. Real cork. Northern Rhone components in a northern Gard setting. This is pretty fantastic for the price. More aromatic push than the usual southern Rhone blanc pantheon, and more body. Wow. Palate lives up to the nose fully. Flavorful, full bodied, well textured. Well balanced; harmonious varietal trio. Incredibly versatile at the table. 92/100.

50% roussanne, 20% grenache blanc, 20% viognier, 10% bourboulenc, vines averaging 55 years. Well conceived encepagement. Roussanne in the lead, peachy and padded. Grenache blanc adding to the bulk, viognier to the perfume. Tempered by bourboulenc green fruit. Works!/ Totally harmonious cuvee, the bourboulenc even a stronger player on the palate. And the alcohol is modest by appellation standards, which makes it more flexible at the table. Choose either finny or feathered friends. 91/100.

Famille Quiot; all roussanne; vineyard at the foot of the Dentelles. Varietal white peach and honey. Floral overtones Dash of refreshing bitterness on the finish. This became increasingly aromatic as it aired. 91+/100.

Famille Quiot; all viognier; vineyard at the foot of the Dentelles. Bursts with viognier peach and honeysuckle from the get go. The most of any young vintage of this I've nosed. Well textured too. Palate closer to the vest yet very pure. The innate bitterness of viognier plays more prominently this vintage than others. Good for food. Still a dash of banana fermentation flavor to resolve. Entertaining stuff. Robert Mayberry liked this Chateau's wines. 91+/100.

1/3 each grenache blanc, roussanne, viognier. Wow! Villages full and complex. Grenache blanc heft. The aromatic varieties are no longer showing much perfume. Power and body. Mealy feel and flavor. Gads! Non pareil. 93/100.

Marsanne, roussanne, bourboulenc, grenache blanc, clairette; vines averaging 30 years. Boy, that's a noseful, texturally. You aren't gonna get gushing aromas from this southern Rhone pantheon of white varietals. Spikes of green fruit aroma pierce the nostrils though. Smooth and well integrated on the palate. Enough acid showing for balance. Like the Gessami, singular. Though, fundamentally, less aromatic surge given its varietal set. Just the same, this has its own virtues. The group found this virtuous, and entertaining also. 91/100.

Jean-Baptiste & Francois; 50% grenache blanc, 30% roussanne, 20% viognier; vines 40 years old; yields under 3 tons per acre. A high percentage of varieties more common to northern than southern Rhone, and they rightly sport their stone fruit and flower aromatics. Regardless, this has solid grenache blanc bulk and basis. Well conceived, well executed. Yes, both full and flavorful, with Gard coolness justifying roussanne and viognier plantings here. Well balanced and not pushy, so very versatile at the table, be it fish or fowl. 92/100. WOTN votes. 'Really nice nose emerges; huge flavor complex.' 'Pear, red fruit, fruit cocktail; viognier speaks, with its nice bitter edge on the finish; nice acidity.' 'Super Rhone white!!!' Orders taken.

2020: Half each clairette, grenache blanc. Subtle Provence herb aroma set, plus subtle underbrush aspects. The cool green fruit aspects of its varietal set. Surprising range, depth, intensity for this cuvee. Flavors more intense than aromas. Savory taste, good acidity, well balanced. Self effacing blanc that sacrifices strong identity in the name of versatility at the table. This is fully competitive with good Cotes du Rhone blancs. 91/100.

40% roussanne, 25% grenache blanc, 25% rolle (vermentino), 8% marsanne, 2% viognier; grown on rounded white stones in north-facing vineyards. A nicely assembled cuvee sporting an orchard fruit aromatic profile led by roussanne, rolle, and viognier. And a solid and rich underlayment supplied by grenache blanc and marsanne. Bravo!/ Yes, variegated, tasty, rangy in both flavor and texture, rich and full bodied. Both acid and alcohol really fill this out in the mouth. 91/100. Liked by attendees as 'fresh, clean, atrractive, aromatic, complex, and food worthy.'

40% grenache blanc, 30% roussanne, 20% vermentino (rolle), 10% viognier. Grenache blanc and roussanne perform their body building roles. More about fullness than aroma. Full and rich palate too. Racy acid of the vintage and some of the aromatic properties of the minority grapes form the palate. Well balanced. Welcomes food; won't compete with food. So very versatile at the table. 91/100. Well received. 'Nice fruit.' 'Nice wine; decent acid and fairly complex flavors.' Orders taken.

2019: Est. 1972; 72% mourvedre, 20% grenache, 6% cinsault, 1% each syrah, carignan; aged 18 months in cooperage; unfiltered; Peter Weygandt selection. Well, we're sure book-ending that poor Monte. Another big boy here, showing all its power, concentration, and high mourvedre black fruit essence. Still youthful at age five, but not obstinate. This has growing softness and bouquet revelation on the palate. Another outstanding vintage of a proud series. Great introduction to Bandol. 94+/100. Impressed with 'complexity, class, savor, latency'.

Terraced vineyards on oldest rock outcroppings in the AOC; 73% mourvedre, 20% cinsault, 5% grenache, 2% syrah,, planted in 1978; aged in foudres; owner/winemaker couple apprenticed at Domaine Tempier. Large and classic. Relatively high mourvedre content shows in its dense, purple fruited core. Keeper. There's a certain smoothness to it from glycerol, which partially coats its bearish tannins. Built right, but not for current use unless decanted and given lots of aeration time. Earned the group's universal applause. 93++/100.

95% mourvedre, 5% carignan. Wow, that really is a lot of mourvedre. And it's plenty ripe too. Must be from one of the warmest zones of the AOC. Quite powerful on the palate. The inherent varietal bitterness still in charge. And tannin. Worth cellaring. Great price for Bandol. 92+/100.

Wine & Spirits 93: 'Reynald Delille tends 74 acres in the hills of Ollioulles, where limestone underlines the clay soils, and breezes off the Mediterranean refresh the vines. He favors a high percentage of mourvedre in his red Bandol-85 percent-which he lets mellow in foudres for 18 months. The 2016 is dark and spicy, the tannins and acidity giving the plummy fruit an impressive sense of size and strength without any rough edges. It's stony and savory, elegant enough to drink now, although it is sure to reveal more detail with another decade in the cellar. $48.'

Atop a limestone plateau , highest in the AOC; 38 year old vines; 90% mourvedre, 10% carignan; aged 18 months in foudres. Great cork. Boy, that's one mourvedre dominated Bandol. Cool, black-purple, innately reductive mourvedre classic. Time in cooperage has earned some suavity. It's not as bearish in youth as some of its peers. Yes, the tannins are fairly melted. Again, the cooperage time mellowing. Good size, grip, and structural support for bouquet development with bottle age. Singular and impressive. 94+/100.

Faithful dark purple color. Mourvedre in a nice, warm setting. It's comfortable and well composed here. The purple fruit, the violets highlight, and the fine grained tannins spell it out. A well priced varietal series. 91+/100.

IGP covering a sector of Languedoc north of Montpellier and encompassing Pic St. Loup; on blue marl and fossil deposits. Oh, that's a sweet and old vines concentrated, black fruited take on carignan. Black cherry, black pepper, black licorice. Sweet fruit on the palate too; not pandering though. Accurate and agreeable, if not particularly complicated. Good acid and balance. Won't vie for attention at the table. 91/100.

The usual volume, flair, depth, and distinction of this cuvee. A leading definition of the AOC always. Dark fruit of the vintage. Full bodied. Tannin to shed; it's fine grained. Flavorful, lasting finish. Bravo. 93+/100.

20% barrel aged. That's clear and cool PSL high altitude elegance. Charming and exemplary. Lots of fruit flavor and texture intensity. The great precision the nose implied. Full, fine tannin. Defines the genre. Got to have some. 92+/100.

Fresh and black fruited as usual. Surprisingly sweet and flavorful for this cuvee. Big surprise in 2021. Is benefitting from global warming. Best year I've tasted. 91/100.

60% carignan, 40% grenache. Carignan black fruit and peppercorn in the lead. Plenty of grenache substance and power to back it up. Full, flavorful, well textured. The image of Fitou; textbook. Lasting aftertaste. 92+/100.

14%; 40% each carignan, grenache, 20% syrah; barrel aged 9 months; Gold Medal - Berlin. Solid. The bulk and framework bear the alcohol. Dry and black in that Fitou way. Yes, lots of mass here. Good acid and fine tannin. Not a lot of aroma and flavor development yet. Well proportioned and positioned to gain both in the cellar. Pretty well priced for a cellar candidate. 91+/100.

Really has quite a bit of personality for this non aromatic variety. And good 2021 briskness too. Yes, indeed, lemony things and bright acidity. Flavorful and balanced. Got to have this one. 91/100.

All carignan; 40-60 year old vines. Dark purple color. Deep, dark, concentrated, powerful, and clear old vines carignan aroma. Yes, full textured too. A whale of a carignan delivery for this price. 91+/100.

Est. 1996; Jean-Marie's son, Marceau, was born at the start of his first harvest; 50% syrah, 20% mourvedre, 15% each cinsaut, carignan. Ruddy red color. That's bright; that emphasizes current appeal. Whole greater than sum of parts. Syrah doesn't stand out. Here, 'blend' has no negative connotations. Flavorful and forward. Great acidity. Begs for food; very versatile at the table. 91/100.

Mainly old vines carignan, with grenache, mourvedre, and syrah. Black and peppery carignan leads the way. Less heart on sleeve that the 2018. More in the tank here; more serious too. The varietal set is both variegated and coordinated. Whole greater than sum. Fruit sweetness counters high alcohol nicely. Flavorful and lasting. Good fruit-acid balance. The 2018 won my heart. This one wins my mind. 91/100.

60% syrah, 20% grenache, 15% carignan, 5% mourvedre. I've always liked this source's wines. While I'm not a fan of Midi syrah, Vaugelas pulls this one off well. The whole encepagement is greater than the sum of the parts. Barrel time helps with the merger. Black fruited, of course, Corbieres large, and earning a measure of bottle bouquet at age four plus. Yes, sweet, dark syrah strong fruit statement. Barrel mellowing without oak vying with the fruit. Rich and suave now. Drinking very well. A solkid Corbieres representative. 91/100.

On the Montagne d'Alaric; 55% syrah, 25% grenache, 20% old vines carignan and mourvedre; aged 12 months in cooperage. Nicely matured in barrel and bottle. An especially black-fruited encepagement for Corbieres; it shows. Sweet fruit for 2016. This is forward, gentle, generous, and spot on at this stage for fall/winter enjoyment. Lingering sweet fruit savors. 91/100. List price: $22.

Wine Spectator 90/100. My notes: 40% each grenache, syrah, 15% cinsault, 5% carignan. Aged a year in cooperage. 2015 warm and hearty. An exaggerated Minervois from its best zone. Smooth, powerful, and earning bouquet. Winter wine. No tannin issues. 91/100.

50-100 year old vines surrounding the 13th century chapel of Centeilles; from 50+ year old cinsault, syrah. Medium dark red brown. A great, fresh, ventilating dried cranberry sort of cinsault nose. Unique in that it continues to display this attribute as it gathers bouquet. As the nose forecast, the acidity is brisk and bright. Very savory. No tannin to mention. Begs for winter fare. 91/100.

All cinsault; 70 year old vines. Sweet, warm, and mellow 2009 at a good state of maturity. Yes, warm, savory, and pretty powerful, though not too. Dried cherry and orange zest. No tannin and not much further bouquet development potential, so good to go over the coming cold months. 93/100. List price: $43.

50% carignan, 40% syrah, 10% grenache; average age of vines 40 years; carignan undergoes carbonic maceration; unfined, unfiltered. Dense color acquiring some ruddiness with age. Despite the predominance of black varieties, that characteristic Minervois elegance shines through. So you get it both ways: both amplitude and finesse. Sweet and round on the palate now at age four. Very flavorful. Good body and texture. One of the best vintages of this. And ready to drink. 91/100. Attendees too found this pleasantly mature and ready to serve.

2016: 50% grenache, 27% syrah, 23% carignan. Fullness over elegance. Impressive for its power and volume. Yes, sweet fruit flavor, power, texture, presence. Needs rich fare to match its forcefulness. 91+/100.

Parker 91: 'The 2019 Cotes du Roussillon Bastide Miraflors is a blend of 70% Syrah (vinified as whole bunches and aged in 20% new demi-muids) and 30% Grenache (destemmed and aged in concrete). Hints of peppery spice, vanilla and woodsmoke accent the blueberry-scented nose, while the full-bodied palate is ripe, supple and concentrated, adding hints of black cherries, chocolate and licorice on the long finish. It's hard to top this sort of quality at the suggested retail of $19. Drink now-2025.'

65% grenache, 35% syrah; aged 6 months in oak barrels and concrete tanks. Heavy Bottle Award. Very powerful indeed. And ripe. And old vines concentrated. The epitome of Eric Solomon designed and selected Med red wines. Will have both fans and detractors. Yes, sweet, strong, structured, textured, intense, dramatic. If size matters, here's your steakhouse choice. 2020 tannins are at an agreeable level, so ready to serve in the right context. It's what it is, as intended, and I can applaud it for that. 91+/100.

60% grenache gris, 40% roussanne, the latter aged 5 months in barrels. Following a Chablis, a different region and varietal set heard from. More robust, peachy, grainy. The varieties are giving their all in this setting. And the coolness of 2021 keeps them from becoming too cumbersome. Wow, round and rich and flavorful. But not fruity-floral. Old vines intense. Very versatile at the table. Ample enough to take on ratatouille. Shipped in error; I ordered the red. My gain. 92/100. This surprised attendees, generating a lot of enthusiasm.

Oh, its usual luxurious take on cabernet franc, without Midi compromise. Yes, form as well as filling. Balanced. Great acid. One of the best vintages. 91/100.

Properly dark color. Condensed, sweet, black fruit core reluctant to give up much aroma. Will likely benefit from additional aeration, though it was opened yesterday. This has real Med syrah makings. It's not the green-stemmed clone. It's fully rich and ripe. It's surprisingly well composed and well endowed for the price. I could see cellaring some of this, which I don't say about many under $12 wines. 90+/100.

2022: One third each variety; Melvin Master selection. A very harmonious cuvee that sports the strawberry and red raspberry fruit of grenache in synch with the black syrah and purple mourvedre fruits and berries. 'Master'fully' done. Sweet grenache takes the lead. The others give background and foundation. Totally coordinated presentation with lots of generosity and current appeal. Versatile at the table. 91/100.

From Val de l'Aude; 50% grenache, 20% merlot, 20% syrah, 10% carignan. Full and vigorous high altitude Med red with the bookend varieties giving a Midi demeanor. Plus plump merlot and dark syrah contributions. Very well assembled. Great 2021 acid. Flavorful, balanced, ready for the table. 90/100.

Yves Falmet, vigneron; at Creissan; unfiltered; 50+ year old vines on hillsides of Saint Chinian. Senses of power, old vines depth and concentration. Very 'meaty' nose, especially for cinsault. There's more cinsault flow to the palate. Still, dry extract grip. One of the most intense in the series. However, not at all an elegant wine. Demands food. 91+/100.

Limestone and sand soils. Surprisingly full color. And full personality. No shy picpoul, this one. Very bright acidity for the vintage (but not for picpoul!). Along with the flavor intensity. This really shines! Got to have it. 92/100.

Clay-limestone soils. Upon opening, that understated picpoul green fruit aroma. Like past vintages, this is rather richer and rounder than its peers. Yet 2021 crispness gives it an incisive edge that kinda completes the picture of Font Mars picpoul. Ultimately juicy and begging for food. Best vintage yet here. 91/100. Aeration maxed out this variety's subtly aromatic nose. Ripe nature confirmed by attendees.

3 generation domaine in the heart of the Massif de Castelnaux. Closed up at first. Can't get the heart of what is, aromatically, a fairly subtle variety. A nice and gentle acidity. I will need more input from the tasting panel following aeration. Well, got it: 'Lots of aroma and flavor', 'Long and balanced', and 'Really nice'. Very popular with the group. 91+/100.

On chalky clay embedded with fossilized oysters, quartz, and gravel; picpoul has been grown on the plateau above the Thau lagoon since Roman times; 'picpoul' = 'lipstinger'. This is right. Lively, zingy, cutting edge. Penetrating, brisk This has max personality for this often prosaic, understated grape variety. Pushes out those green apple and legume things that brings to mind a gruner veltliner. Flavor intensity confirms. Blind, I'd say I was drinking gruve. Except the acidity is higher and gives it a lot of textural play. Earns its name. Long, expressive finish. 91/100.

15-20 year old vines; no malo. Pretty nostril filling for a picpoul. I'm both impressed and sensually pleased. And the flavor intensity is equally awesome. And the flavors are nuanced. Good value for sure. 91/100. Attendees enjoyed this. Orders taken.

2021: Grenache blanc, chasan, sauvignon blanc, vermentino, chenin blanc, mauzac. From the Aude. Good and harmonious cuvee. Has body and presence. Range of citrus and multiple other scents. 2021 acidity is welcome. Well balanced all the way. 91/100.

The domaine sits on an old salt water lagoon between Montagne Noire and the Pyrenees foothills. Sauvignon pungent. With the proper richness of a sauvignon from the south. More-ish on the palate. Great flavor, texture, balance. Shows the way for Oc sauvignon. 91/100. Attendee comments were all favorable.

The domaine sits on an old salt water lagoon between Montagne Noire and the Pyrenees foothills. A little SUS upon opening. Can't suppress sauvignon citrus fruit aroma. Palate clear, as usual. The softer, riper style of Midi sauvignon, not without satisfying acidity and refreshment. In tune with the series, and well priced. 91/100. Nose cleared up after aeration, and this turned into a crowd pleaser. Comments include lovely nose and flavor, just good fun, food friendly.

2021: Between Corbieres and Minervois; the domaine's unique terroir allows vines to be grown on their own rootstock. Brassy hue. Very subtle honeysuckle viognier aroma. Dainty. Aroma builds with aeration. Should continue over the coming hours. A nice viognier viscosity to it as well as that great 2021 acidity. Properly poised. More aromatics to form. 90+/100.

Est. 1930; all viognier; 15 year old vines on limestone, clay, and gravel, yielding 2 tons per acre; aged on lees 6 months. Still some light ferment residual under screwcap, but largely fulfilled and varietally expressive. Here comes the honeysuckle!/ Less forthcoming on the palate, and, again, some ferment residual. All will be resolved over the coming weeks. Maybe hours. 91+/100. The fermentation aromas did not abate after two hours. However, 2 days later, the attendee who took the bottle home reported they were gone. Good viognier acid/glycerol ying-yang noted.

Near as I can derive, it's niellucciu. The Clos doesn't seem to grow any mainland grapes. Medium dark ruby. Fresh, deep, and satisfying rouge, crisp edged, smooth centered. Delicious freshness and flavor set unto its own. Long and balanced and tasty finish. Got to have it. 91/100.

A lighter ruby cast. Limpid. More red than black fruit. Again, the combo of crisp and smooth. These are entirely illustrative of varietals and terroir, and bargain priced. Yields its fruit character even easier. Very bright in both flavor and acidity. Got to have both. 92/100.

35% niellucciu, 30% grenache, 15% sciaccarellu, 15% syrah, 5% mourvedre. That has depth and personality. Very giving. Sweet and full, though nothing to excess. Lovely poise. Both fresh and developing flavor aspects and a texture as generously endowed as the rest. Sweet fruited, and also racy. Great acid. Mouthfilling texture, fine tannin. Impressive value, good to serve now. 92/100. Popular with attendees, especially for near term service. Orders taken.

At Aglione in eastern Corsica; 40% niellucciu, 30% sciaccarellu, 15% each grenache, merlot; clay soil; night harvested. My goodness, that smells strong for only 12%, and the aromas come right out at ya. I'm glad the native varieties are the most pungent. Large, rich, and flavorful, with good, racy 2021 acidity and plenty of dry extract for texture. The tannins are ripe enough to invite current use, especially with food. 91/100. Generally well liked; orders taken. 'Deep, fruit driven nose.' 'Nice balance between fruit amplitude and acidity.'

Plump and lively both. Sweet black fruit creme. Penetrates. 70% native varieties in the mix here offer uniqueness. Sweet and juicy flavor and feel. Best vintage yet. Great acid, fine tannin, lasting feel and flavor. 92/100.

At Aghione, central Corsica; half each vermentino, chardonnay. Stone fruit and flowers vermentino aromas lead the way. Appley chardonnay underlayment. Good cuvee. Yes, the perfumes of the former are in the lead on the palate too. Not to underestimate the role chardonnay plays in supplying a degree of heft. Long, clinging, flavorful aftertaste. Fine craftsmanship here. 91/100. Very popular with attendees (including White of the Night) for aromatics, depth, balance, and price.

Est. Late 1800s at Katzenthal; 50% riesling, 20% muscat, 20% pinot blanc, 5% each pinot gris, sylvaner; vines planted between 1976 and 2010. Riesling stands out as the aromatic leader and muscat not far behind. Unusual in gentils (aka edelzwicker) to note the absence of stage hog gewurztraminer. Neatly fashioned. Whole greater than the sum of the parts. Just a classic Alsace assemblage like you'll find nowhere else. The flavor set, the textural format, they all spell Alsace. And FOOD. 92/100. WOTN for at least one attendee. 'Super fine nose; wonderful wine; long finish; very popular.' 'Wow, this is no simple quaffer. Muscat seems dominant on the nose, with the appropriate bitterness on the finish. Riesling and the crew show more on the palate. Palate coating with real weight. Ready for rich fare.'

Est. 1835; at Ribeauville. Good, cool, low key, and accurate Alsace sylvaner; age helps. The relatively mild acidity of the variety. Good strength, vigor, youthful bent. Boy, would this be rangy at the table. 90/100.

2021: Est. 1580; at Eguisheim; 70% auxerrois, 30% pinot blanc; vines 10-25 years old; aged on lees. No SUS, but nose somewhat enclosed by the hermetic closure. What comes across is varietally accurate, sporting that lusher character of auxerrois versus pinot blanc. Even in cool 2021, auxerrois supplies an ingratiating roundness midway between pinots blanc and gris. Texture wise, this is spot on. Air and age for more aromatic spread. 91+/100.

American importer's brand made by Dopff & Irion at Riquewihr. That's a cool, crisp, green fruited example of pinot blanc. Affordable too. Really quite penetrating. One of the better vintages in the series. Thanks to vintage and variety, the acidity level is mild. Accurate flavor but not much follow through. Rallies on the aftertaste. Price worthy and adequate indeed. 90/100.

Created in 1967 when Marie-Therese Rolly married Louis Gassmann; at Rorschwihr, north of Colmar, Haut Rhin; from several township vineyards on a mosaic of soil types; native yeasts; not released until at least two years after bottling; capable of cellaring fifteen years. Unusual depth for today's Alsace pinot blancs. This is old time bold. Maybe some auxerrois in the mix. 92/100.Attendees were keen on this. 'The nose is 'thick and rich, singularly concentrated.' The palate ' Very thick and rich palate; coats your tongue.' 'Smooth, glycerined.' 'An outstanding example.' Multiple orders taken.

Est. 1580; at Eguisheim. A fresh vintage and style. Subtle apple and hazelnut varietal aromas. Plump, friendly, and forward 2019 with light nut and paraffin gris notes. Surprisingly soft and waxy. Very flavorful. Apple and pie crust. I think there's some RS instead of glycerol. Coated acid. Will gather more aromatic and textural interest with a few months' aging. 91+/100.

2019: Fresh and spot on, clear and appley crisp fruit. Yes, clear and bountiful varietal character. Arousing; begs attention. 91/100.

2021: At Marlenheim, west of Strasbourg; medium dry. Apple, nut, wax varietal character. Good acid in 2021 foils its modest RS. Upon opening, understated flavor and texture wise, this had a little more to say after aeration, and it elicited some favorable comments. 90/100.

Plumper, waxier than the pinot blanc. Not nutty. Also quite lean and sleek in styling. Nuttier on the palate. Nice glycerol padding. This is genuine too. 91/100.

Wine Enthusiast 94: 'The nose is fresh but shows complete restraint. The palate gently draws pure Comice pear fruit, its ripeness tempered with ample clean freshness. A streamlined precise slenderness characterizes this bone-dry, restrained and therefore utterly elegant Pinot Gris. It's a class act to drink from now through 2030.'

Quite the full color. Oh, so honeyed and yet so brisk! Total VT concentration. Honey, peach,, nut. Persistent. Sweet and succulent. Perfect sweet-acid balance. Long. A privilege to taste. 97/100.

2021: Pleasing riesling apple and citrus aromas. 21 crispness. Yes, dry and racy. Riesling and vintage crisp ID. Flavorful and bracing. Yes. Rangy table applications. 91/100.

Northernmost and first recorded Alsace Grand Cru vineyard. Quite the big boy in the Helfrich range. There's more to come. Good volume and texture and enhanced flavor over aroma. Good acidity. A lot to like. 92+/100.

Est. 1680; estate bottled; steep, south facing hillside above Riquewihr; 35 year old vines. OMG! Is that ever a nostril filling experience, both from aromatic and textural standpoints. Grand Cru presence to the max. The aroma is as much about place as varietal. Its vineyard's uniquely elegant take on riesling. Less ripeness than the buxom 2015, which contributes vintage character also. This is drier than the 2015. Pleasing acidity and balance. Orders taken.93+/100.

2018: Wine & Spirits 93: 'Based in Eguisheim, Christian Beyer blends this wine from estate-grown grapes as well as purchased fruit. This was a panel favorite, and though it didn't stand out to this critic, the panelists' enthusiasm was pretty convincing, especially when they started bringing up foods to match its sweet dark-toned plum and muscat-spice flavors. One panelist compared it to blueberry honey and suggested a pairing with roast salmon. Another took its dark fruit toward gamey venison sausage or duck prosciutto,.speck,.jamon Iberico. So, I went back to it the next day and the wine had entered another dimension, the tannins acting like crushed stone, tightening around the sweet fruit, keeping it refreshing and crunchy as its volume continued to expand. $27.'

Golden sheen. Nectarous. Polleny botrytis. Nuts ad grains. Tea and tobacco. Plenty in reserve. BA sweetness and concentration. Acid coated but still up to the task. Years of bouquet development ahead. 98+/100.

Nice and dry gewurz aroma of rose, lychee, and ginger. Ginger nip, in fact. Off dry, with gewurz astringency countering the RS. Flavorful and accurate rendering. 91/100.

From six vineyards on the Couronne d'Or above Marlenheim, west of Strasbourg. Full fledged gewurz push. Smells of some RS. More ginger than rose in this Bas Rhin setting. A strong vintage of this. Relatively mild acidity of vintage, variety, and sector. Flavorful, characteristic, and appealing. Wish I had some unpasteurized Munster handy. Well, maybe in a nearby room. Otherwise, it would totally screw up the tasting. 91/100. Positive comments conveyed by attendees: 'Lychee and rose; enough acid, clinging aftertaste, well priced, foodworthy'.

At Husseron Les Chateaux, high above the Alsace plain. Oh, lots of rose, orange blossom, and ginger. Best vintage of this-/ Carries over nicely to the palate. Gewurz soft but not sweet. I like a little more strength and body in my Alsace gewurzs. House style, this has rangier table prospects as it is. 91/100.

Est. 1680; at Beblenheim, next door to Riquewihr. NOT a sultry take on gewurz. No, Sparr makes a ventilating sort that emphasizes fresh cut ginger over rosewater and glycerin. It's off dry but not viscous. Rose petal flavors join the ginger. Good to taste a Sparr; I haven't sampled many recently. 92/100.

Well, it's great to have a fresh vintage to sell. Prime example of both muscat varieties. The stone fruits of petit grains, the musk melon of ottonel. In harmony. Again, a well orchestrated assemblage. Respectable acidity. Ideal with asparagus and with raclette. 91/100.