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.
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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 -
2019 Tardieu Laurent Cairanne Les Lauzieres
John Caro
A delicious Cotes du Rhone from the region's rising star negociants, Tardieu Laurent. This Cru red from Cairanne comes under Tardieu's sub-label "Les lauzieres", for a more modest price. With ... read more$29.99 in mixed 6+ or $33.99 per bottle -
2017 Soumade Rasteau Prestige
Parker's Wine Advocate
A refined yet powerful Rasteau from hometown experts, Soumade. The Prestige is grown on the fringes of the Ventabren alpine terrace, which adds limestone content to the famous yellow and blue ... read more$35.99 in mixed 6+ or $39.99 per bottle -
2018 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 -
2017 Clos St Antonin Chateauneuf du Pape
Antonio Galloni's Vinous
With a bright and silky "Pinot-like texture and vibrancy", this newby in the Janasse stable resembles their top Chateauneuf. Like the super-expensive Cuvee Chaupin, the Clos st Antonin is 100% ... read more$79.99 in mixed 6+ or $88.99 per bottle -
2018 Lionnet Cornas Terre Brulee
Antonio Galloni's Vinous
A superb new Cornas from a producer who is exciting, though hardly a new comer on the scene. The Lionnet family have been vignerons here since 1575, and now produce exceptional and undervalued ... read more$79.99 in mixed 6+ or $88.99 per bottle -
2017 Tardieu Laurent Chateauneuf Cuvee Speciale
Jeb Dunnuck
This premium Chateuneuf showcases pure old vine Grenache, from century-old vines on sun-baked sandy soils! This wine achieves the full power of top-rank Chateauneuf with Tardieu's usual touch of ... read more$84.99 in mixed 6+ or $94.99 per bottle -
2017 Tardieu Laurent Cote Rotie Vielles Vignes
Antonio Galloni's Vinous
A "glamorous and ambitious" Syrah by a Rhone superstar. Tardieu often rate this at the "very top" of their Northern Rhone range, these low yielding old vines in premium Cote Rotie terroir ... read more$105.00 in mixed 6+ or $120.00 per bottle -
2018 Domaine Janasse Chateauneuf Chaupin
John Caro
A supremely graceful old vine Chateauneuf from Janasse that will drink now or improve for decades. A unique drop from the renowned Sabon Family, this cuvee is composed of 100% Grenache from very ... read more$110.00 in mixed 6+ or $125.00 per bottle -
2018 Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Decanter
A legend in high demand. The Clos Des Papes offers dense complexity and elegance over a prospect of two-plus decades in cellar. This fine and "not at all overblown" red delivers Rhone richness ... read more$160.00 in mixed 6+ or $180.00 per bottle