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Domaine de l'Hortus's dramatic location up against the cliffs of the Hortus and Pic Saint-Loup massifs themselves and offering shallow terraces with exposures ranging from north-facing for whites and Syrah (some propagated from Clape and Verset budwood) to south-facing for Mourvedre (from Tempier), sets it apart from other properties in its sub-appellation, and Languedoc pioneer Jean Orliac brings an unprecedented three decades of familiarity with this rocky realm of scree and iron- and quartzite-rich limestone. A blend of Syrah and Mourvedre "Black cherry, violets, and fennel on the noe with a creamy palate, with richly ripe fruit flavors and a twist of savory meatiness." A beaut from Southern France
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“I tasted through various foudres of the 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape and it is unquestionably a top-fl ight wine
for Clos des Papes that is seductive and forward by the standards of this estate. It reminded me of the precocious
style of the 2003, and Avril told me the 2009 is less alcoholic than either the 2003 or 2007, and the pH is a
normal 3.75. Yields were a very small 20 hectoliters per hectare, largely because of their selection process and
the drought. Every foudre I tasted was beautifully pure displaying a deep ruby/plum color, sweet kirsch and black
raspberry fruit, full body, decent acidity (they never acidify here) and sweet, velvety tannins. This should turn out to
be a mid-90-point wine that will take a back seat to the 2007, possibly even to their monumental 2006, but will
surpass what they did in 2008, 2005, 2004, 1999 and 1998. The 2009 is a beautiful success that should drink
well for 15+ years.” 92-95 Robert Parker
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"The 2009 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Rasteau Cuvee Prestige reveals abundant garrigue and black cherry notes intermixed with notions of licorice, earth and spice. Full, rich, supple-textured and relatively evolved, this classic Rasteau possesses heady alcohol, a big, bold, exuberant mouthfeel, and a succulent finish. It should drink nicely for 7-8 years.91/100 parker
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Another beauty we used to bring in which sold over $30. Supreme old vine buying. "The 2009 La Granacha is made from 100% old vine Grenache (some parcels are nearly 100 years old). Also aged in tank before being bottled unfined and unfiltered, this is the most powerful La Granacha yet made, tipping the scales at nearly 16% natural alcohol. The belief that such a powerful wine can not also be elegant is disproved by the precise, fresh, lively kirsch liqueur notes intermixed with tobacco leaf, loamy soil, and forest floor characteristics. This delicious, deep ruby/plum-colored, round, generous, glycerin-filled wine can be enjoyed over the next several years." 90/100 Parker
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A new project from the hugely rated Chateauneuf producer Vielle Julienne. His aim is to make easy to drink, accessible Rhone wines from small organically grown parcels of exceptional fruit- bottled without fining of filtration and vinified without any external chemicals. It is a blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 10% composing Cinsault and Mourvédre. Soft, rich and spicy with aromas of black and red cherries, tobacco and earth nuances. Fine integrated tannins and a velvety texture this is immediately pleasurable now to 5 years. A quality value wine from a superb producer.
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This is one of those true gems of the Cotes du Rhone and unfortunately we only get allocated a very small parcel of it. "Domain de l'Oratoire St-Martin is one of the Southern Rhone Valley's most conspicuous overachievers, making wines that are far above their humble appellations. All of their wines go into the bottle with no filtration and only a light fining. This is the type of estate that brings smiles to consumers who happen upon their wines. They are reasonably priced and qualitatively equivalent to wines selling at two or three times the price. This outstanding estate has been making fine wines for nearly as long as I have been writing The Wine Advocate.
" R.Parker.
The latest tasting note we have is from the 07 vintage which is similar in style to the 09
"The 2007 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Cairanne Reserve des Seigneurs is a blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, and 10% Syrah. It is a soft, plump, fleshy offering displaying succulent black cherry and fig-like fruit, surprising precociousness, and a lovely, textured, full-bodied, mouthfeel. Another classic bargain from the southern Rhone, this Provencal red can be enjoyed over the next 5-7 years." 90/100 Parker
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One of Metro Magazine's 100 Wines for Summer "The south of France is home to many blush or rose wines and here is a classic example. A pale salmon colour, with delicate blossom and raspberry aromas, the palate is poised, earthy and just off dry, a nice degree of bitterness holding things in check".
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Unlike the early drinking style produced in much of Beaujolais, the Moulin-à-Vent Beaujolais Cru wines are made to be cellared. Because the wines made here are different in style and of a higher quality than is generally associated with Beaujolais, most producers shy away from overt references to the generic title and choose instead to use the name of a particular cru.
The soil is a pink, crumbly granite with a notably high level of manganese. This is toxic to the grape vines, resulting in stunted crop levels and contributing to the intense and concentrated flavors seen in Moulin-à-Vent wines.
Vincent Girardin purchased the Domaine de la Tour du Bief near Chenas in Beaujolais in September 2010. From the stunning 2009 vintage, the Moulin a Vent has been very well received. "Lush fruit flavors of blackberry and blueberry mix with a core of spice and dried herb notes in this fresh red, which is silky, with lightly chewy tannins, followed by lingering hints of dark chocolate and cardamom on the finish. Drink now through 2016." 92 points, Wine Spectator.
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"The outstanding 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape La Cote Ronde has the oak well-concealed beneath a cascade of black fruits. An equal part blend of Grenache and Syrah from 60-year-old vines (with the Syrah enjoying malolactic fermentation in barrel and aging in new oak), this wine displays plenty of licorice, creme de cassis, blackberry, subtle spice and a heady dosage of Provencal herbs in a full-bodied, thick, juicy style that never loses its place of origin despite the modern oak treatment. Full-bodied and powerful, it comes close to rivaling the best La Cote Ronde I have tasted to date, the 2007. It will be best drunk over the next 10-15 years" 92-94/100 R.Parker
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This is always a luxurious, elegant, lush and generous wine that never fails to deliver- especially from the fabulous 2009 vintage. The yields at this excellent domaine are always low generally 35 hl/ha ( which is tiny ) for Andres Villages and much less for his super cuvees. The grape mix is mainly Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, with the proportions varying a little each vintage. Few vignerons are more interesting to visit than Domaine La Soumade’s Andre Romero, whose wines are longtime reference points for the wines of Rasteau, a village with some incredible terroirs as well as a high percentage of old vine Grenache. "Romero makes a bevy of Vin de Pays offerings, but his finest cuvees are his Cotes du Rhone and Rasteau wines. He also produces a small amount of Gigondas. Readers who don’t think Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon can do well in the Mistral winds and dry heat of the southern Rhone should check out Soumade’s offerings. St.-Emilion’s guru, Stephane Derenoncourt is the consulting winemaker, which may help explain why these wines are so good." R.Parker
"The 2009 Rasteau is dark ruby/plum color is accompanied by plenty of black cherry liqueur, licorice, earth and spice characteristics. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy, succulent and hedonistic, this is a gorgeous wine to drink over the next 7-8 years."90/100 Parker
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