Rhone Valley
France’s Rhone Valley has two climates. The Northern Rhone’s steeper river-side slopes are up near chilly Burgundy. Here Syrah is the lone red grape and ripens slowly into its supreme expression in classics like Hermitage: intense but lighter-bodied, spicy and ethereal. Flowing south the landscape flattens out, opening to the baking Mediterranean. Down here Syrah revealed fuller, meatier aspects but ended up playing second fiddle (with Mourvèdre et al) to the even more sun-loving grape, Grenache. The softness and body of Grenache fills and sweetens most Southern Rhone blends, from basic Cotes du Rhone (mostly Southern) to village classics like Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Rosés like Tavel. Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne remain at home in the North but can mix with grapes like Grenache Blanc and Clairette in the Southern Rhone's blanc wines.
-
2019 Domaine Janasse Cotes du Rhone
John Caro
A silky and superb Rhone Red made by the famous Sabon family. This classic Grenache-led offering has a perfect balance of vibrant fruit and satisfying full-body. The Janasse label has an ... read more$24.99 in mixed 6+ or $27.99 per bottle -
2018 Clos St Antonin Cotes du Rhone
John Caro
A lush and smooth Cotes du Rhone from the famous Sabon family. This richly fruited red offers the gently dark berry of ripe Grenache, along with charming expressions of Mediterranean herbs and ... read more$24.99 in mixed 6+ or $27.99 per bottle -
2019 Soumade Cotes du Rhone
John Caro
Amazing Cotes du Rhone that puts many expensive village wines to shame. Brimming with vibrant dark and red fruits, it's tempting to mis-use the term 'fruit-driven' if it wasn't equally floral, ... read more$25.99 in mixed 6+ or $28.99 per bottle -
2019 Soumade Rasteau
John Caro
From another great vintage, this is bursting with rich dark fruit, spice and florals. Soumade are experts in their hometown of Rasteau, where the fruit ripens into expressive wines that ... read more$31.99 in mixed 6+ or $35.99 per bottle -
2018 Soumade Rasteau Prestige
Parker's Wine Advocate
A powerful and refined Rasteau red from the hometown experts, Soumade. The Prestige is grown on the fringes of the Ventabren alpine terrace, which adds limestone content to the famous yellow and ... read more$36.99 in mixed 6+ or $41.99 per bottle -
2019 Soumade Rasteau Cuvee Confiance
John Caro
From vines up to 100 years old, this is a very special cuvee by a Rasteau-based specialists. From the village Soumade know so well, the Cuvee Confiance is another step up in concentration and ... read more$44.99 in mixed 6+ or $49.99 per bottle -
2018 Tardieu Laurent Crozes Hermitage Old Vine
Wine Enthusiast
A classic Syrah from old vines in the Northern Rhone. These 60 year old vines grow near Hermitage, the celebrated home of Syrah. The delicious result is a glimpse at this greatness in a ... read more$49.99 in mixed 6+ or $55.99 per bottle -
2018 Tardieu Laurent Saint Joseph Old Vine
Wine Enthusiast
A serious Saint Joseph from granite soils, in a Northern Rhone sub-region much beloved by Tardieu. Their old vine St Jospeh is intense but precise, with powerful black and blue fruit, florals ... read more$55.99 in mixed 6+ or $62.99 per bottle -
2016 Xavier Vins Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge
Parker's Wine Advocate
A lush Chateaneuf from one of Chateauneuf's most respected consultant winemakers, Xavier Vignon. He has superb sources of fruit — but none of the costs of having his own vineyards — and ... read more$59.99 in mixed 6+ or $66.99 per bottle -
2018 Tardieu Laurent Cornas Coteaux
Wine Enthusiast
A delicious Syrah from distinctive Northern Rhone locale. The Coteaux was drawn from vines of 60-100 years, where dominance of the Serine clone offers an aromatic precision and savoury egde to ... read more$64.99 in mixed 6+ or $72.99 per bottle