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. Appropriately light scarlet color. Savoie rouge leanness, pinot softness. Everything makes sense about it. Medium bodied. Good acid--not to excess. Countered by pinot fleshiness. Spot on take. 91+/100.

2018: 6 generation family estate; clay-limestone soil, which suits mondeuse noire, planted mainly in Savoie. Full color, developing a light patina of maturation. Deep and satisfying purple-fruit mondeuse nose. Hallmark as well as ample. You could easily pay more for this quality of mondeuse experience. Full, rich, round, balanced. Fine flavor range that includes a hint of plum pit. Spot on, and at a proper degree of maturity for full enjoyment. 92/100.

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.

Hasn't minded a second year in bottle versus its 2021 peers. A certain nuttiness that is positive. And the original jacquere attributes retained. Very fresh and lively fruit acidity carries it forth well. Mouthfilling and highly desirable at present. 91/100.

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.

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.

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.

Vinous 93: 'Mineral-accented aromas of ripe red and blue fruits, violet and exotic spices. Sappy and energetic on the palate, offering gently sweet cherry and blueberry flavors that deepen slowing with air and show fine delineation. This bottling can stand up, and best, any number of wines from Cote-Rotie.'

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.'

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.

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.

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.

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. Royal purple color. Extreme lift, coolness. More of the floral aspects of syrah than usual. Lavender, white pepper. Exceptional raspberry definition too. Unique mineral salts edge only adds to the intrigue this cool vintage. Of course, the acidity is fine. The tannin is very fine grained. Boy, am I having fun with this. I'd better pour some more. This cuvee always mirrors its vintage, and 2021 is not exception. What race! Begs for food. 93+/100. Damn! I can't stop tasting this wine. Thirds now. That combo of elusive race and finesse..on and on. Many attendees' Wine of the Night. 'Very syrah. All the classic notes in spades. More like Cote Rotie than Hermitage Hill this vintage. Complexity and structure to age wonderfully.'

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. 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.

Vinous 92: 'Inky ruby. Pungent black and blue fruits, licorice and succulent herbs on the spice-accented nose. Shows good depth and breadth on the palate, offering ripe cassis and cherry flavors that take on smoky bacon and violet pastille qualities as the wine opens up. Shows surprising energy for its heft and finishes impressively long and spicy, with dusty tannins adding firming grip. Drink 2022-2029.'

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.'

4 generation estate once selling to the cooperative; in the Terrace de Chassis zone; from vines planted in 1996; unwooded. Well, that's up front and beautiful early as intended with this cuvee. Very, very pure northern Rhone syrah aromatic set of raspberry, white pepper, and lavender. Even a wisp of smoked meat. This is as young a Crozes as I've tasted, and it's every bit what it's supposed to be. Smooth, well balanced, and delectable now. A new Crozes experience; a Happy Face Crozes. New? Or throwback to Crozes of yore? Group fave. 93/100.

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 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.'

Parker 90: 'A seriously refreshing Saint-Peray, the 2020 Saint Peray features more citrus and chalk notes than most. A 50-50 blend of Marsanne and Roussanne fermented in a mix of stainless steel tank (70%) and barrique (30%), it's medium to full-bodied but zesty, clean and charming, with a bright, lively finish marked by notes of lime and tangerine.'

2021: 80% grenache, 20% carignan; by a Chateauneuf estate. Dark, bright, rich. Good Med France set. 2021 medium bodied; 2021 great acidity. Well flavored, well textured. Wants food. 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.

At Travaillon; 70% grenache, 20% mourvedre, 10% carignan. Wow, this soars. Very high toned. But the palate has full tannin that brings it down to earth. That's good for the future. It can't totally suppress the urge to take wing though. Well liked by the group. 91+/100.

2019: 60% 'shiraz', 20% each grenache, carignan; Gold Medal - Vignerons Independants. Piercing aroma of black fruit and creosote. Wood chips? Southern syrah? Singular, and attractive in its own right. I can see the medal. Definitely syrah oriented. Black, tensile, gripping. Will have many fans. Tannin needs to be resolved first. 90+/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.'

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.

2018: Single parcel; 45 year old vines. Up front and eager to please, ready to enjoy. 2018, old vines, and grenache combine to give the ultimate in young red wine generosity. Strawberry, raspberry, and brambly spices. Plenty of body and flavor. Tannin to shed still. 91+/100.

2019: All syrah; 45+ year old vines in two parcels bordering Chateauneuf du Pape. Puts the pedal to the metal. A large and insistent nose. It's big, black, old vines southern Rhone style syrah to the max. Yes, mouthfilling and coating. Well tempered power. Good acidity. Very fine grained tannins. I can see the popularity of this cuvee. 92+/100.

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.

2018: Fruit forward and agreeable 2018 CdR. Fulfilling. Flavors and textures confirmed. Well balanced. Light tannin to resolve. Spot on. 91+/100.

Est. 1946, bottling since 2003; at Fourmes, west of Avignon; 70% grenache, 30% syrah; vines up to 60 years old. Dark red violet color. Nose deep and black fruited. A lot of clarity to the aroma. Well, that old vines input really packs this in at the core. Again though fruit clarity marks its fringes. This is a pretty whopping wine for the bucks. I'd be cellaring it to winter 2023-24. Not a summertime red. 91+/100. Several attendees commented on the positive freshness, fruit, and acidity. Others' notes emphasized richness and ripeness. All mentioned 'good value'.

At Saint Marcel d'Ardeche, 45 miles northwest of Avignon; 60% grenache, 40% syrah, vines averaging 47 years.

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. Long and real cork. Plenty of up front fruit pleasures backed by old vines substance. In tune with the series. 2020 adds more tannin than the last trio of vintages. Chewy stuff. Nose beckons, palate reads 'not so fast'. 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. Wow, that's BIG! Has the fruit ripeness and concentration to bear the high alcohol. The alcohol and glycerol give smoothness. Flavors forthcoming as it warms in the mouth. This has no harsh tannin issues. It's ready to go with hearty fare. Has there ever been a bigger version of this? 92/100

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!

Vineyard adjacent to Chateauneuf, near Courthezan. 55% grenache, 25% syrah, 10% carignan, 5% each cinsault, mourvedre. A beautiful varietal melange led by sweet, ripe grenache, while the darker varieties add a wealth of black fruit and berry overtones. And garrigue wells up with aeration. Rightly rich and powerful, carrying both well. Wide and deep flavor display. The most complex Janasse CdR I'm tasted. Good acid, balance. Finish goes on and on. 93+/100.

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.

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.'

Est.1964; at Violes; 60% grenache, 40% syrah. Sweet, dark fruited grenache-syrah set even in cool 2021. Full, clear grenache realm of flavors. Even handed, well balanced, modestly priced. 90/100.

80% grenache, 20% syrah; from estate vineyards near Orange and Roquemaure. Jolly red violet color. Mmm, that bright fruit freshness of 2021. This is a cool as Mont Redon comes, and it's very flattering. Garrigue extras. Dazzling fruit acidity and lovely, elegant textural spiel. Plenty of flavor range and impact. Love it. Juicy, flavorful finish. 92/100.

Near Sablet; 75% grenache, 25% syrah. Oh, that's openly sweet and fruity and inviting, Power reined in. No resistance. Great acid. Sweet and flavorful. Some warmth in the back, yet the alcohol is basically well coated, and the tannins are soft. Lingers. Ready to drink. 91/100. Attendees loved this for its bistro weight and style. An inviting 'by the glass' pour.

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 bu attendees.

60% grenache, 30% syrah, 10% carignan. Fresh relief of 2021, with supporting richness of grenache and the south. Yes. Indeed, rich, round, complete flavor and texture profiles, with that great 2021 acidity. 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.

2018: In the Quiot family for 125 years; 20 year old vines; grenache, syrah, mourvedre. Incredible charm and finesse like I'm not used to experiencing in a CdR, or even a previous Trignon vintage. Its character marks why this was a Robert Mayberry favored source. Carries over to the palate. Cracked pepper and garrigue. Great equilibrium for current enjoyment. 92/100.

80% grenache, 20% syrah; at Tulette near Visan on the Left Bank. Rich and ripe and forward 2019 style. Spot on. With good acid cut. Well balanced. Little tannin. Wants food. 91/100.

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.

2019: 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. Full, large, powerful, dense, sweet fruit aroma. This is loaded. Singed, ripe raspberry and seeds. Yeah, thick textured; plenty of dry extract and considerable tannin too. Fills the mouth and lingers long. Not for the timid. BBQ choice. 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.

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.

Very dark red violet. Coolness of upper Gard and what I expect is a pretty large dose of mourvedre (and indeed there is). Very peppery. Highly concentrated; impressively so. An essence of the CdRV. Wow, what a spread, what a mouthful! 93+/100.

As deep and dark. This is closer, less expressive. Got the material but not the give. Palate more yielding in a textural manner, but no more aromatically expressive. More syrah here? Indeed, it's 100% syrah. Full dry extract; more tannic than the above. Not ready for prime time. 92+/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.

2019: 4 generation estate; 80% grenache, 15% syrah, 5% mourvedre; vines averaging 35 years. Very well managed varietal repertoire, full, dark, and aromatic. Classic Plan de Dieu representative. Savory, flavorful, rightly powerful mouthful. Swelling and filling through a long finish. Fine grained tannins add texture without showing waspishness. A lot of wine for the money. 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.

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. 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; Alain Junguenet selection. 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. Wow, that has perfume and pizzazz in cool 2021. Yikes! Total fragrance and clarity. Juicy acid balanced by good fruit sweetness. Visan and vintage cool take on the varietal set. Balanced and lingering in both feel and flavor. Deal. 92/100. Well liked by attendees for its exuberance. And considered ageworthy to boot.

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.

2016: 70% grenache, 20% syrah, 10% mourvedre. Much riper nose of a Vaucluse cru. Ripe and penetrating. The alcohol is actually cooling, ventilating. Positive roti. Yes, sur maturite. Large, black, solidly built Rasteau profile. The fruit is ripe and deep and concentrated in 2016. A frank and full Rasteau, with fine tannin and overall balance. Potent wine. For hearty fare. Wine of place. 91+/100.

2020: Terraced vineyards on the Dentelles massif; 50% grenache, 40% syrah, 10% mourvedre; unfiltered. Oh, there's that grenache sweet red fruit disposition up front and the black fruits bases under. Generous and masterfully executed cuvee. Sweet and round with alcohol and glycerol. Flavorful, filling. Like the 19, quite the largest BdV I've experienced. Balanced and length; fully satisfying. 92/100. Well liked by attendees as a winter wine.

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; VV cuvee is new to this market. Old vines and syrah lend a full color. 15 ripe, old vines deep and concentrated. Putting up some resistance at this stage. The palate is flavorful, deep, and variegated (aka complex). The tannin is well managed. This has fine, mid term cellar potential. At present, it's in a bit of an aromatic trough. No problem. 93+/100.

80% grenache, 15% syrah, 5% mourvedre, vines averaging 40 years. That's a long, natural cork. Deep red black color. Black fruited, deep seated 2020 style. Plenty of garrigue all the same; always is in this cuvee. Big burst of garrigue adventure on the palate. Plus sweet black fruit to soak up its alcohol. One of the biggest of the series. Can't wait to see what it's like after additional bottle aging. Juicy red fruit finish. 92+/100. High ratings, including Wine of the Night.

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.

2018: Wine & Spirits 93: 'Based on old-vine grenache vinified with the stems and aged in large used barrels, this 2018 feels brisk and lively, a revelation in this hot, damp vintage. Its seedy strawberry and raspberry flavors have crunch and clarity, as well as garrigue-like scents that add a sense of place. It's light enough to match well with vegetable dishes, or a rosy pork loin served rare. $29.'

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.

Vinous 94: 'Brilliant ruby-red. Vibrant, sharply focused red fruit, floral, garrigue and exotic spice qualities on the highly expressive nose. Intense raspberry, bitter cherry, succulent herbs and candied lavender flavors show superb delineation and no excess weight. Finishes with impressive persistence, sneaky tannins and resonating floral and spice notes. This graceful wine should age effortlessly on its balance. Drink 2025-2035.'

72% grenache, 23% syrah, 3% mourvedre, 2% cinsault; yield 2 tons/acre; aged 8 months in oak casks. A nice contrast. The robustness of Gigondas and grenache. Again, there's 2021 vigor, spiel. The power is welcome and actually cooling. Full Gigondas body even in a cool year. Good flavor and texture play and length. And, of course, Font Sane delivers Gigondas at a Cotes du Rhone Villages price! For now and later. 92+/100. Commentators noted how the vintage tempered its power and added complexity and length.

73% grenache, 24% syrah, 3% mourvedre; yield: 1 ton/acre; aged a year in seasoned barrels. Whoa, another country heard from! Here's grenache in all its force and fortitude, Gigondas-style. Power, spread, openness, evolution, sweetness, harmony. If this vintage had any weather shortcomings, they're surely not evident here. Total Gigondas nose. Equally enveloping and engaging palate from both flavor and texture standpoints. Pure harmony at this stage. This cuvee deserves such aging; best I've tasted. 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.

2017: Wine & Spirits 92/100 ($40). My notes: Beautiful. Very, very elegant. Open hearted. One of the best of these. Has power too, but the emphasis is on finesse and flow. A beauty. 93/100, at least.

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.

Vinous 93-94: 'Brilliant ruby. High-toned aromas of red / blue fruit preserves and candied flowers, along with a bright, spicy topnote. Shows sharp focus and lift to juicy black raspberry, boysenberry and lavender pastille flavors, which slowly spread out on the back half. Finishes smoky, subtly sweet and impressively long, with mounting tannins and a whiplash of sweet blue fruit. $46.'

Jeb Dunnock 94-96: The 2020 Gigondas Les Souteyrades is more structured, with notable acidity as well as tannins. Full-bodied aromas and flavors of blackberries, cassis, ground pepper, and violets give way to a rich, concentrated, focused Gigondas that's going to benefit from a handful of years in the cellar. All of these 2020 barrel samples are brilliant.'

Jeb Dunnock 94-96: 'The 2020 Gigondas La Louisiane is also just about overflowing with Provençal charm and character, offering full-bodied aromas and flavors of red and black fruits, ground pepper, violets, and orange blossom. It too is seamless, has ripe, polished tannins, and a great finish. The blend is 80% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre, and the rest Cinsault and Syrah.'

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.

2019: 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. A classic Berthet Chateauneuf nose, very cool and purple thanks to the high mourvedre content. I mean, everything I like about the estate's Chateauneuf Tradition is embodied in this 2019. Delicious fruit sweetness of grenache too. Grace of cinsault, kernel of black syrah at the core. Polished tannins of 2019. Good mid term ager. 93+/100.

2017: Vinous 91-92: 'Ruby-red. Vibrant, spice-accented red fruits and candied flowers on the expansive nose. Sappy and seamless in texture, with a vein of juicy acidity adding support to plush cherry and raspberry preserve flavors. Shows very good energy and insistent floral character on the subtly tannic finish, which leaves behind persistent red fruit preserve and smoky mineral notes.'

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.'

Vinous 93: 'Deep, shimmering ruby. Black raspberry, cherry cola, garrigue and succulent floral qualities on the highly perfumed nose. Appealingly sweet red and dark berry and cherry preserve flavors convey both depth and energy thanks to a core of juicy acidity. Fine-grained tannins build slowly on an impressively long, penetrating finish that echoes the cherry and floral notes.'

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.

Vinous 92: 'Saturated ruby. Powerful cherry and dark berry aromas show very good clarity and pick up smoked meat and garrigue nuances with air. Shows very good depth and appealing sweetness to the chewy boysenberry, cherry liqueur and licorice flavors, which are brightened by a spicy flourish. Finishes sappy and very long, with building tannins and a lingering suggestion of bitter cherry. Drink 2023-2032.'

80% grenache, 20% syrah; on the north side of the La Crau plateau; sandy soil yields elegant wines; a young-vines cuvee. I like its give and forward appeal, though this 2020 has a bit more solid core than the heart on sleeve 2019. Doesn't deny the cuvee's nature and intent though. Variations on a theme. Yes, though the blacker fruit center is evident, it has the cuvee's lush coating of fruit. The tannins are well managed, so this can go to the table now alongside hearty fare. 93+/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 96; 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. $50.'

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.

2017: Wine & Spirits 92: 'This has a succulence that's immensely appealing, its red-berry juiciness on slow release so that it coats every corner of the mouth. Made mostly of grenache, blended with mourvedre and syrah and aged three years in large oak foudres, it's readily enjoyable right now, but the sense of stone and herbs that underline the wine suggest this will only develop more detail with time. $57.'

Vinous 92: 'Ripe, spice-accented raspberry and cherry scents are complemented by hints of candied lavender and licorice. Seamless and focused on the palate, offering appealingly sweet cherry and red berry flavors that become deeper with air. Drink 2024-2032.'

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.'

2017: Wine Spectator 92: 'Dark and winey in feel, with steeped plum and blackberry fruit forming the core, which moves along slowly, carried by silky but substantial tannins and backed by warm anise, fruitcake and roasted apple wood details through the finish. Best from 2021 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.'

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.

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.

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. A little less flavor range, force. Here the 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. 91/100. 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. A good measure of viognier perfume, not gushy, and filled out below by the volume varietals. About the best crafted vintage of this I've nosed. The varieties are totally coordinated. Palate echoes those impressions. Unique for its appellation because of the high level of viognier. Works. 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. At opening, not much aroma because it's from relatively non aromatic grapes. Full bodied. Develops a lemony aspect that is attractive. A bit more flavor, though pretty much about body and texture. Citrus and acacia flavors form. Good weight and mouthfeel. Very much what I look for in CdR blanc. Delicious savor. After two hours' aeration, the group sensed this had much more to say. Even more the next day, reported the host. 91+/100.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Est. 1972; 72% mourvedre, 20% grenache, 6% cinsault, 1% each syrah, carignan; aged 18 months in cooperage; unfiltered. Oh, that purple black color and purple fruited mourvedre classic, redolent of boysenberry. The fruit amplification of 2018 is wholly flattering to this wine. Bandols can be resistant in youth, though seldom Bastide Blanche. / Wow, that's 2018 full, hearty, sweet fruited. Large, robust, round, powerful. This vintage takes it to eleven. The tannin is coated with sweet fruit. The acidity, however, performs a balancing act. As does a secret core of mourvedre concentration that has a positive astringent property. Replete with great structure, acid, and fine tannin, it's both balanced and framed. With the rich 2018 innards. Awesome, and will improve. 94+/100.

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.'

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.

From vines over 100 years old. Dark color. 20 fresh and fruity, with a carignan peppercorn edge. Yes, black fruit and black pepper. Nice and dry. Good acidity. Well balanced. While rather two dimensional the first evening, by the second and third the fruit had sweetened up and spread out to become 3D and engaging. Mealtime friendly. 91/100.

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.

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.

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. It's ripe stemmed, not green stemmed. The whole encepagement is greater than the sum of the parts. Barrel time helps with the merger. Yes, sweet, dark syrah strong fruit statement. Barrel mellowing without oak vying with the fruit. 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.

50-100 year old vines surrounding the 13th century chapel of Centeilles; from 100 year old carignan vines. Similar appearance; slightly paler. Sweet, dried cherry carignan aroma. Tarry too. Also bright, and more leisurely than the Campagne. This has a chewier disposition though. After all, it's carignan! Fresher flavor. 17 immediacy, flow. And great acid again. Same dinner table applications. 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.

Riveyrenc blanc, riveyrenc gris, araignan; 70 - 100 year old vines surrounding the 13th century Centeilles chapel. Golden color, of course. Good Granny Smith apple aroma. This is fully vital. The palate has amazing freshness, acidity, vitality. And a unique and subtle aromatic set. Ready for poultry. What fun this is! 91/100. List price: $32.

Grenache gris, clairette blanche, piquepoul gris, clairette rose, terret gris, carignan gris, riveyrenc gris, grenache blanc, picardan; 70 - 100 year old vines. Similar appearance. More oomph and more bouquet development. Fully vital too. Always love new experiences!/ Bright and fresh too. With more minerality. A broader aromatic set. No sense making other than grape associations. Just sit back, and enjoy it for what it is. Poultry mate also. 92/100. List price: $32.

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.'

2/3 grenache, 1/3 syrah. Big time, purple fruited, sweet and powerful St. Roch. On target. Yeah, power of grenache, black fruit of syrah. In harmony. Gives, gives, gives. And the acid and fine tannin keep it honest. Bravo. Glad to have this back in the market. 92/100.

60% grenache gris, 40% roussane, the latter aged 5 months in barrels; Eric Solomon selection.

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.

From Aude vineyards. 50% grenache, 20% merlot, 20% syrah, 10% carignan. Pleasing melange. Sweet fruits. Well balanced by good acidity. Universal appeal. 90/100.

Yves Falmet, vigneron; at Creissan; unfiltered; 50+ year old vines on hillsides of Saint Chinian. 2018 rich. Especially for cinsault. Old vines talk. Flavorful. Really demonstrative cinsault character. Good acid. Melted tannins. 91/100.

Limestone and sand soils. That's crisper, greener fruited, racier than the Font Mars 2021. Intense and wholly classic. Impressions echo on the palate. Not only great acid but also unusually strong presence for this guy's picpoul. Balanced and enduring. My kind of picpoul. 91/100.

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.

2019: Grenache blanc, chasan, sauvignon blanc, vermentino, chenin blanc, mauzac. From the Aude. Pleasing Duke's mixture of non aromatic varieties for body and subtly perfumed ones for aromas. Well crafted, agreeable, versatile. Yin and yang of body and race. 2019 tender touch. Well crafted as always. 90/100.

Fresh and zesty southern sauvignon combo of fruit ripeness and vitality. Wholly successful. Flavorful and racy. Lemon emphasis. Well priced. Dryness without austerity. 91/100.

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.

2021: Est. 1930; all viognier; 15 year old vines on limestone, clay, and gravel, yielding 2 tons per acre; aged on lees 6 months. A bright and vigorous varietal display of orange blossom and honeysuckle. The fruit is fully ripe and sweet even in this cool vintage. And there's extra raciness too compared to the 2020. Fruit/flower notes reverberate on the aftertaste. A panelist noted both glycerol and bitterness on the palate, each a viognier trait. 91/100.

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.

65% pinot blanc, 15% muscat, 6% gewurztraminer, 4% riesling. A little tighter knit than the 2020. Cooler year, and I'm tasting it at an earlier stage. I could detect each variety in the 2020. They haven't spread out yet here. More play on the palate. The muscat white flowers, the gewurz bitterness. Bottle age will surely coax forth clearer images. 91+/100. Tasted 7/22/22.

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.

2016: At Eguisheim; est. 1580. After a 2017 Michigan pinot blanc, more of that Alsace warmth and oomph. Less green fruit; more yellow fruit. Has had a year longer to spread out. Another fine take on the varietal. Ripe, rich, and full. Nice acid etch too. 91/100.

That''s a good, full nose for a frigid bottle of pinot blanc. Lots of green stuff. Best vintage of the series-/ Yeah, apple, peel, and gobs of mineral extract. Clinging finish. Very satisfying and rangy at the table. Became more expressive still as it warmed and aired over the next couple of hours. Earned the group's admiration. 92/100.

At Husseren les Chateaux, high above the Alsace plain. Very cold sample. Nose understated yet valid. Clear and green pinot blanc fruit with no rough edges. I like it. Warms in mouth and expands in flavor. Textbook varietal character without frills and fancy stuff. Proper acidity level for the variety. Dry, smooth, well balanced. Wide applications. 91/100.

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.

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.

Pleasing riesling apple and citrus aromas. 21 crispness. Yes, dry and racy. Riesling and vintage crisp ID. Rangy table applications. 90/100.

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.

2017: A very fresh, clear take with no evergreen formed yet. This is one of the best of his of late. And one of the youngest. Lovely face of riesling, unique and hard to describe, but I'm likin' it. 91/100.

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.'

Accurate, dry. Classic. Nice and waxy gewurz texture. Very good bottle. 92/100.

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.

2018: Wine & Spirits 90: 'This wine is more about plump apricot flavors than spice or floral notes. Savory and luscious, with a gentle ease, it's an appealing gewurz to drink on its own or with pork chops and apricots braised in white wine.'

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.