Rhône

Fresh floral notes in abundance, such a charming wine for Cotes du Rhone, full of energy, apricot, touch of peach, lots of freshness and very drinkable

70% Roussanne 30% Marsanne.

This bright, pure Viognier comes from plots high up above Ampuis. It has a freshness to it that is hard to resist. Clearly Viognier, but miles from the heavy, fat Peachy style which is all too common here. This is nicely aromatic but more in the feel of Malvasia. Early picking and sensitiv...(read more)

A mix of most of the permitted white varieties (mostly Clairette, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne), the 2019 Lirac La Reine Des Bois Blanc is thrilling stuff, and I’d certainly put it up with any of the top Châteauneuf du Pape whites out there. Light gold hued with a clean, classy bouqu...(read more)

All three of the 2017s showed well. The 2017 Châteauneuf-du-Pape has classic sweet red fruits, spice, and floral notes, and it’s medium to full-bodied, silky and elegant. The blend is 90% Grenache and 5% each of Cinsault and Syrah.

This superb blend of 70% Roussanne and 30% Marsanne is a really successful White St Joseph. Their vines are just north of St Pierre de Boeuf, as with all their whites they train their vines up poles and over the top to create tall arches of foliage. This practice is popular in Burgundy wit...(read more)

Round and supple, the full-bodied 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape La Dame Voyageuse is a large-scaled ball of plum and blackberry fruit and savory nuances. Hints of mocha, black olive and licorice bring added interest to this soft, easygoing offering that should be consumed over the next 6-8 year...(read more)

Vivid ruby-red. Intense, sharply focused red fruit liqueur, spicecake and floral scents are complicated by suggestions of smoky minerals and Asian spices. Sappy, penetrating and appealingly sweet, offering silky raspberry and lavender pastille flavors that put on weight and spread out stea...(read more)