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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2021 Soumade Cotes du RhoneJohn CaroAmazing 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$26.99 in mixed 6+ or $29.99 per bottle
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2022 Domaine Janasse Cotes du RhoneJohn CaroA 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$29.99 in mixed 6+ or $33.99 per bottle
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2020 Soumade RasteauJohn CaroFrom 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$33.99 in mixed 6+ or $37.99 per bottle
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2020 Soumade Rasteau PrestigeDecanterA 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$39.99 in mixed 6+ or $44.99 per bottle
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2021 Tardieu Laurent Old Vine RasteauJames SucklingLush and polished, this Rasteau is delicious right out of the box. Leading the blend is fruit from Grencahe vines 80 years old, wrapping a generous texture around darker fruit and chocolatey ... read more$44.99 in mixed 6+ or $49.99 per bottle
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2020 Soumade Rasteau Cuvee ConfianceJohn CaroFrom 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$49.99 in mixed 6+ or $55.99 per bottle
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2021 Tardieu Laurent Old Vine VacqueyrasJames SucklingA superb red from one of the best villages in the Rhone. Made from vines over 60 years old that are organically farmed, this is seriously deep and plush Vacqueyras. Dark but defined, this is a ... read more$49.99 in mixed 6+ or $55.99 per bottle
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2021 Tardieu Laurent CornasJohn CaroA delicious Syrah from distinctive Northern Rhone locale. Formerly called "Coteaux", this wine was sourced from vines of 60-100 years which deliver an aromatic precision and savoury egde to ... read more$84.99 in mixed 6+ or $94.99 per bottle
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2020 Charvin Chateauneuf-du-PapeJames SucklingThis Chateauneuf is sublime quality and extreme value. The famously humble Charvin is so traditional that he won't charge nearly the price of his neighbours, despite his vineyards of ... read more$84.99 in mixed 6+ or $94.99 per bottle
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2020 Domaine Janasse Chateauneuf du Pape BlancDecanterA great Chateauneuf white that offers a huge sense of body with definite poise. Opulent stone fruit with bright acidity offers mineral, floral and anise nuance. Grown on sandy-clay soils, the ... read more$89.99 in mixed 6+ or $99.99 per bottle