Rhône Valley Wine

Winemaker Description

Deep and dark red. Shiny. Aromas of fresh fruits with red berries and spices. Full, round and racy. Rounded and smooth tannins. A full-bodied, rich and intensely aromatic wine. Full with a long finish and plenty of elegance and finesse due to the well balanced tannins and fruit.

Pair with cold meats, meat, game bird and cheese.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021 

James Suckling writes:  A juicy, fruity red with aromas of dark cherries, red berries and mild spices. Medium-bodied with fine tannins. Bright fruit character on the palate with a playful finish and a touch of spices. Drink now.  - James Suckling 90

Kristen Bieler writes:  Ripe and winey for the vintage, with alluring notes of licorice and steeped cherry on a bedrock of solid crushed iron. Apple wood and incense smoke elements add detail. Cool stone minerality washes through, while a kick of white pepper brings refreshment to the very solid finish. Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah. Drink now.  - Wine Spectator

Jeb Dunnuck writes:  The 2021 Côtes Du Rhône has to be considered a success in this challenging vintage, and it's well worth drinking. Ripe red and black fruits, violets, and peppery notes emerge on the nose, and it's medium-bodied, with a supple, elegant mouthfeel and a good finish.  - Jeb Dunnuck 

Nicolas Greinmacher writes: The 2021 Côtes-du-Rhône is a remarkable result given the challenging vintage conditions throughout the Rhône. Ripe red fruits rise up from the glass. Leafy and spicy undertones add more layers. This is a perfectly balanced 2021 red with absolutely no rough edges.  Drinking 2023 to 2027.  - Vinous

Producer Description 

Pretty limpid-purple color, with violet undertones. The nose reveals a seductive aromatic bouquet with notes of red fruit such as blackcurrants and blueberries mixed with notes of leather and violet. The palate is full of freshness and well balanced with aromas of very ripe fruit, pepper and elderberries with very soft tannins giving this wine great drinkability.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022 

Jeb Dunnuck writes 92 Points | Based on equal parts Syrah and Grenache brought up in used oak, the 2022 Côtes du Rhône Mon Coeur is a little gem of a wine offering loads of sweet kirsch and darker berry fruits as well as some peppery Provençal herb and spice-driven aromas and flavors. It's medium to full-bodied, has wonderful purity, and a great finish. It's perfect for drinking over the coming 4-6 years.  Drinking 2024 to 2030.

Kristen Bieler of the Wine Spectator writes 90 Points | Lush and generous, with a lot of intensity and a floral lift to the notes of raspberry coulis and crushed cherry, this turns firm and structured on the palate, with grippy tannins and iron minerality driving the long finish. A hedonist's red, with a lot of warmth, weight and power. Syrah and Grenache. Drink now through 2028. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2023 

Wine Spectator 88 Points | Yellow plum and nectarine notes are fresh and juicy in this tasty, medium-bodied white. Round on the palate, with a good spike of acidity, savory herb details and zesty mineral energy. Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier. Drink now. 45,000 cases made, 15,000 cases imported.

Winemaker Description 

 Seductive translucent pale-yellow color with delicate green reflections. This wine opens up with a very expressive nose with beautiful aromas combining floral and mineral notes. Well balanced and dense, the palate has a powerful attack and reveals superb aromas of lemon, bergamot and hawthorn before ending with a long finish.

Winemaker Description 

La Vieille Ferme Rosé 2023 is a fresh and lively wine that captures the essence of a classic Provence-style rosé. On the nose, it greets with a fragrant bouquet of red berries, including wild strawberries and raspberries, alongside delicate notes of white peach, citrus zest, and a hint of rose petals.

The palate is light and crisp, offering flavors of ripe red fruits, juicy watermelon, and a touch of pink grapefruit, all balanced by a refreshing acidity. A subtle minerality adds depth and complexity, leading to a clean, dry finish that is both refreshing and satisfying. This 2023 vintage is the perfect companion for warm-weather sipping, embodying the bright, easygoing character that makes rosé such a beloved choice for casual enjoyment.

Winemaker Description

Saint Cosme Côtes-du-Rhône is produced from 100% Syrah and is from the the stony Villafranchian terraces of the Gard. The vineyards are known for their limestone sand, red clay, and pebbles, which give a freshness and intensity to the Syrah grapes. The wine is partially destemmed, fermented with natural yeasts, and vinified in concrete vats.

This Syrah grows in ideal terroirs of the southern Rhône and shows the varietal’s typical spicy notes of sandalwood, violets, and black pepper.

Syrah, with its deep flavors and firm tannins, is a natural match for grilled or smoked meat and dishes featuring herbs, roasted mushrooms, and onions.  Seared venison or beef with black pepper and thyme or a Moroccan tagine of pigeon or chicken are complimented by the spicy characteristic of Syrah.

Our Professional Review 

Rand Sieger, 67Wine: Saint Cosme Côtes-du-Rhône is produced from 100% Syrah and is from the the stony Villafranchian terraces of the Gard. The vineyards are known for their limestone sand, red clay, and pebbles, which give a freshness and intensity to the Syrah grapes. The wine is partially destemmed, fermented with natural yeasts, and vinified in concrete vats.

This Syrah grows in ideal terroirs of the southern Rhône and shows the varietal’s typical spicy notes of sandalwood, violets, and black pepper.

Expert Review - Vintage 2023

Kristen Bieler of The Wine Spectator 90 Points | There's a pure core of fresh blackberry, crunchy plum and violet in this vibrant version, with the subtlest brushing of vanilla. Layers of graphite and fine-grained tannins provide a solid framework. Compact, with savory details emerging toward the solid, medium-bodied finish, which is grounded in salty mineral notes and a waft of alder smoke.

Jeb Dunnuck writes 89 Points | As always, the 2023 Côtes du Rhône leads with its Syrah component and has juicy blackberry fruit as well as ample peppery, violet-like nuances. It's nicely balanced, medium-bodied, and concentrated, with lots to love. -

Expert Review - Vintage 2023

Kristen Bieler writes:  An attractive white, with a lush offering of poached pear and fresh apricot flavors set against dried thyme and spicy lime zest acidity. Flinty mineral hints nicely offset the round, ripe palate on the medium finish, marked by floral and green almond notes. Well-done. Viognier, Roussanne, Marsanne, Clairette, Bourboulenc and Grenache Blanc. Drink now.  - Wine Spectator

Nicolas Greinacher writes:  Raised entirely in stainless steel, the 2023 Côtes du Rhône Blanc outperforms the 2022 I tasted last year. Vivid apricot, yellow apple and white peach aromas of moderate intensity rise from the glass. Round and concentrated, the sapid 2023 checks out with notable freshness on the juicy close.   Drinking 2025 to 2027.  - Vinous

Stuart Pigott writes:  An aromatic white Cotes-du-Rhone with lots of floral aromas, including pink roses. Ripe and medium- to full-bodied. Long, creamy finish with a touch of fine tannins balancing this neatly. A Cuvée based on Viognier with small amounts of Grenache blanc and Roussanne. Drink from release.  - James Suckling 90 Points 

Winemaker Description 

Freshness on the nose with the distinctive aromas of Viognier; white flowers, apricot, acacia and white peach. On the palate it is fruity with plenty of richness and body. A well-rounded wine with elegance, strength and balance.

Winemaker Description

Beautiful intense and deep red color with purple reflections. This wine opens up with a powerful, very expressive empyreumatic nose with toasted notes, undergrowth and mushrooms such as truffles subtly mixed with aromas of kirsch. On the palate, it shows elegance with fine tannins that balance the opulent notes of very ripe black fruit and typical Syrah spices with a superb long finish. Serve with beef, lamb and poultry.

Winemaker Description 

A great everyday red that perfectly suits both simple meals and gourmet feasts! Savory dark red fruit aromas develop in the mouth with background luscious layers of black olives, crushed black pepper and herbs de Provence. Medium bodied and highly versatile with supple tannins and a long, delightful finish.

The new release of our custom Côtes du Rhône is just in, and it’s a good one! This cuvée dates back to the ’80s, when Kermit found an inexpensive source of delicious everyday Côtes du Rhône, and it has been among our best-sellers every year since its inception. We make our blend from a large selection of different wines: a dozen or more tanks are often presented, and countless combinations are tested over the course of several grueling hours in the cellar. At the end, it often comes down to adjusting a half-percentage of this or a smidge of that. Every drop counts!

The 2022 vintage of this wine is very Rhôney—it tastes exactly how Côtes du Rhône should taste. It’s as if the hot summer concentrated the herbal essences of the region’s wild vegetation—la garrigue—giving it a lovely savory note to contrast with its chewy, ripe, mouth-filling fruit. You might also find a stony impression suggestive of the Rhône’s famous riverbed stones, which cover the vineyards.There is enough tannin for it to shine with roasted lamb, should you opt for a regional pairing, but not too much that you can’t gulp it just for the sake of gulping. The finish is surprisingly long and full of perfume.

Our final blend this year features Syrah and Grenache, with a touch of Mourvèdre and other local grapes. We ask for it unfiltered, because we think the extra aroma and flavor is well worth a little bit of sediment.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022 

Stuart Pigott of JamesSuckling.com writes 90 Points |  A prototypical Cotes-du-Rhone with plenty of red fruit, candied orange and spicy aromas. Generous fruit on the medium- to full-bodied palate plus a good quantity of supple tannins. Long, moderately dry finish. A cuvee of 80% grenache and 20% syrah. Drink now. 

Winemaker Description

Deep color. Very expressive and complex nose with red fruits aromas. The mouth is rich with fines tannins and well-structured with cherry, plum and chocolate aromas. The finish is lightly spicy. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022 

Jeb Dunnuck writes 88-90 Points | The 2022 Côtes Du Rhône Reserve checks in as 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah that's mostly from the limestone soils in Lirac. Blackberries, ripe cherries, peppery herbs, and floral notes all show, and it's medium-bodied, has a balanced, elegant mouthfeel, fine tannins, and a great finish. Readers looking for an impeccably made, high-quality Côtes Du Rhône to drink over the coming 5-6 years or more should grab some.  - Jeb Dunnuck 

Joe Czerwiński of the Wine Advocate writes | The tank-aged 2022 Cotes du Rhone Reserve Mont Redon is mostly from the Gard, with other components from Valreas and Tulette. Blended just before my summer visit last year, it's 75% Grenache and 25% Syrah, with energetic aromas of black olives, black berries and black cherries. Medium to full-bodied in the mouth, it's round, soft and easy to drink. Enjoy it over the next few years. 

Matt Walls of Decanter writes |   Good depth of colour, really quite dark in the glass. Savoury mulberry, blackberry aromas, good sense of freshness. A very classic expression of Côtes du Rhône with good concentration and structure – no hurry to drink this. The tannins are just a little gruff perhaps, but you wouldn't notice with some hearty food. The word Réserve on the label means the wine is made from bought grapes (possibly supplemented by estate fruit). 

Winemaker Description 

The nose is fruity with aromas of ripe cherries and spices. This wine is medium-bodied with lively acidity and silky tannins.

50% Grenache, 50% Syrah

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022 

Jeb Dunnuck writes 92 Points | Mostly Grenache and Syrah, the 2022 Côtes Du Rhône Le Temps Est Venu is up-front and loaded with charm, offering lots of black raspberry and redcurrant-like fruit as well as peppery garrigue and spice. It's medium to full-bodied, round, layered, and beautifully balanced. 

Kristen Bieler of the Wine Spectator writes 90 Points | This well-made, characterful Côtes du Rhône brims with juicy cherry and red licorice notes, while mocha, garrigue and grilled mesquite accents linger in the backdrop. Offers a burst of cranberry freshness toward the slightly grippy finish, with iron minerality bringing balance. Very solid. Grenache, Carignan and Syrah. Drink now through 2029.  -

Alistair Cooper MW of Jancis Robinson writes 16/20 Points | Lovely spicy nose – crushed red fruits, juicy and sappy. The palate is rounded and has some firm tannins as well beneath. Textured and spicy and earthy as well with some graphite. Ripe and voluminous. Still needs time.  Drinking 2025 to 2032.

Expert Review - Vintage 2023

James Suckling 90 Points | Brimming with red fruit aromas, with notes of spices and dried herbs including laurel. Rich and fleshy, but with healthy tannins and an excellent freshness that drives the very harmonious finish. This producer’s biggest wine is a blend of wines from the left and right banks of the Rhone. Roughly 50-50 grenache and syrah. Drink now.

Winemaker Description

An intense wine with blackcurrant and raspberry notes complemented by notes of white pepper. Powerful and fruity on the palate with lovely roasted notes, and silky, delicate tannins.

Winemaker Description 

Ruby red, nicely bright. Fresh cherry and blackberry nose, notes of cracked pepper. Dark berry and touches of anise flavors, the quality of winemaking is evident. Touches of sweet cherries and raspberry on the palate.  A Parisian brasserie favorite.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022 

Wine Spectator 89 Points | Gentleness and ripeness are rendered in a lovely way in this version, which offers dusty earth and chalky mineral hints. Shows real depth, with black pepper, pretty lavender and simmering incense notes in the backdrop, anchored by a foundation of iron. Drink now through 2028. 10,000 cases made, 2,500 cases imported. 

Winemaker Description

Cherry mixed with raspberries put together in a medium to full-bodied well made Cotes-du-Rhone. A sweet touch of licorice enhance the beautiful palate. A mouth-filling wine in a pure Rhône style.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Vinous Media 90-92 Points | Vibrant and sexy, the 2022 Vacqueyras Cuvée Floureto dazzles with bright violet, black cherry, black plum, garrigue and white pepper aromas. It is crafted from early harvested Grenache and Syrah with tiny jolts of Mourvèdre and Cinsaut, all aged for ten months in old oak foudres. Ever-so-smooth tannins frame this medium-bodied 2022 and have that characteristic nervy tension that winemaker Frédéri Férigoule brings. It finishes on a refreshing note and contains 13.9% alcohol.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

James Suckling 91 Points | Candied cherries, sweet cranberries and a touch of stewed herbs. Lightly chewy in terms of tannins, with a fluid center palate and a medium-length finish. A bit overripe, but approachable. A good, simple Chateauneuf that shows early appeal.

Winemaker Description

It is a delicious and supple wine, synonymous with sharing and conviviality, adapting perfectly to meat dishes in sauces or more simply grilled. Its aromas make it a Châteauneuf-du-Pape accessible to many tasters, from beginners to the most experienced. 

Winemaker Description

Certified organic by Ecocert, Perrin Nature is not only an organic Côtes-du-Rhône but also a great wine. Using our experience in organic farming at Beaucastel (one of the first big estates to turn to organic farming 40 years ago), this wine is a beautiful expression of fruit with delicate and soft tannins.

Tasting Beautiful clear and shiny ruby-red color. This wine opens up with a very expressive nose with notes of black fruit and undergrowth highlighted by a beautiful freshness with notes of eucalyptus. Generous and balanced, the palate extends these beautiful aromas supported by an elegant tannic structure, before offering a long finish with delicate notes of aniseed.

Food pairings Roast venison with porcini mushrooms and mocha gravy, dark chocolate mousse and chili.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021 

Kristen Bieler of the Wine Spectator writes 92 Points | This offers real aromatic beauty, with incense, violets and red currant flavors melded with a layer of finely crushed graphite. Chalk-fine tannins guide the medium-length finish, adding nice chewiness. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Drink now through 2032. 

Stuart Pigott of JamesSuckling.com writes 93 Points | This generous and well-structured 2021 Chateauneuf has excellent raspberry and strawberry aromas for the challenging vintage, plus notes of floral aromas. Surprisingly fine tannins, too. Still very youthful and in need of a bit of time in bottle to reach ideal harmony, but the freshness at the finish is already delightful. A cuvee 75% grenache, 10% syrah, 10% mourvedre and 5% cinsault that were co-fermented, then matured in foudre. Drinkable now, but best from 2024. 

Jeb Dunnuck writes 92 Points |  The 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape is a solid effort in the vintage. A normal blend of mostly Grenache with 10% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre, with a splash of Cinsault, it has a beautiful perfume of ripe cherries, fresh strawberries, sappy green flowers, and peppery garrigue. This carries to a medium-bodied, layered, elegant Châteauneuf with fine tannins, a beautiful overall sense of balance, and outstanding length. It shows the fresh, pretty, nuanced style of the vintage and is a beautiful wine to enjoy over the coming decade. It's in the same ballpark as the 2008.  Drinking 2023 to 2033.

Nicolas Greinacher of Vinous writes 91 Points | Checking in at 14.83% alcohol, the 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a refined and predominately red-fruited beauty. Licorice and herbaceous components add more dimension. Framed by gentle tannins and more medium- than full-bodied, the 2021 ends with a bright finish.  Drinking 2025 to 2036.

Matt Walls of Decanter writes 93 Points | A smoky style that’s a touch herbal and meaty. Towards full-bodied, with good weight and texture. Quite a saline expression, ending on crisp raspberry acidity and quite strict tannins. Will always be a lean style, but should make interesting old bones.  Drinking 2025 to 2034.  -

Expert Review 

Jeb Dunnuck writes:  The 2023 Châteauneuf Du Pape Domaine Du Vieux Lazaret Blanc is a classic blend of 59% Clairette, 35% Grenache Blanc, 5% Bourboulenc, and the rest Roussanne. This vibrant, well-made, medium-bodied white has a great nose of crushed lemon and lime fruit as well as mint, garrigue, and sappy flower-like nuances. It picks up a beautiful sense of salty minerality with time in the glass and is well worth your time and money.  - Jeb Dunnuck 91

James Suckling writes:  A precise, layered and attractive Chateauneuf with aromas of sliced apples, warm herbs, anise, stones and wildflowers. It’s medium-bodied with a succulent development on the palate. There’s a subtle texture, with notes of herbs, flowers, bitter almonds and fresh green pears. Plenty of patina and precision, with a long, flavorful finish. Drink or hold.  - James Suckling 93

Winemaker Description 

Clay soils formed from the decomposition of the limestone mother rock and on soils of a sandy texture.

Easily the best wine for pairing with Lobster but also delicious with other seafood, puff-pastries, white meats, or goat cheeses.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019 

Jeb Dunnuck writes 91 Points | The 2019 Gigondas is terrific, with a more medium-bodied, elegant style as well as lots of red and black fruits, spice, incense, and garrigue. It's a Southern Rhône charmer yet has balance, fine tannins, and certainly a sense of class.

Joe Czerwiński of the Wine Advocate writes 91-93 Points | Marked by scents of Provence herbs, cherries and blueberries, the 2019 Gigondas is another successful example of this Southern Rhône appellation. Full-bodied and concentrated, it's rich and velvety in feel, with a long finish.  Drinking 2023 - 2030.

James Suckling writes 91 Points | Aromas of black licorice, charred rosemary, coriander and plums. Full-bodied with silky tannins. Generous fruit on the palate with steady balance and intensity.  Drink or hold.

James Molesworth writes Wine Spectator 91 Points | Understated style, with light incense and worn cedar notes running along the edges of the slightly dried currant, raspberry and red cherry fruit flavors. The cedary edge lingers longest in the end. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Best from 2023 through 2030.  

Josh Raynolds of Vinous writes 93 Points | Full ruby color. The deeply perfumed nose showcases cherry, dark berries, licorice, savory herbs and olive notes. Concentrated, spice-laced cassis, cherry-cola and candied lavender flavors smoothly blend depth and vivacity. Polished tannins come in slowly on a very long, penetrating finish that strongly repeats the cherry and floral notes.  Drinking 2025 to 2032. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2021

Kristin Bieler of the Wine Spectator 91 Points |  Shows good concentration for the 2021 vintage, with red plum and licorice on a foundation of graphite. A thread of singed herbs weaves through the pleasantly just-chewy palate. Savory, smoky and long, with toasty cedar adding warmth to the savory, smoky, long finish, which brings a firming feel. Grenache and Syrah. Drink now through 2035.

Winemaker Description 

The old vines of Domaine Grand Romane are located on the highest part of the family vineyard, 400 m above sea level. Facing northwest, these hillsides dominated by upper Cretaceous sandstone limestone and sandy marl, offer power and concentration. 

On the nose there are aromas of black fruit (blackcurrant and black cherry) and red fruits (raspberry and redcurrant) stewed with a hint of vanilla which meet savory notes of thyme, laurel and black olives on the palate. Powerful tannins fill the mouth with notes of spicy licorice and pepper for a long and satisfying finish. An astonishing balance of complexity, power and elegance. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Wine Spectator 92 Points | Boysenberry and juicy plum notes reveal hints of earth, violet and loamy earth in this focused, elegant red, while smoked meat, mocha and graphite move in on the medium-bodied frame. Tangy acidity and fine tannins firm up the finish. Drink now through 2030. 3,300 cases made, 200 cases imported.

Jeb Dunnuck 91 Points | A completely different beast than the 2021 the 2022 Saint Joseph Offerus comes from a sunny hot vintage and brings another level of fruit and texture. Black raspberries violets ground pepper and scorched earth define the aromatics and this beauty is medium-bodied with a ripe textured mouthfeel ripe tannins and nicely integrated acidity. This juicy fruit-loaded yet still classic incredibly satisfying Saint-Joseph will drink brilliantly over the coming decade. As with the 2021 it needs a fair bit of air to show at its best although don't make the mistake of thinking every Northern Rhône Syrah needs 20+ years in the cellar.

Winemaker Description

The delicious Tavel Rosé Tete de Cuvée is the first wine ever made by historic Rhone Valley winery Chateau de Manissy. It's a biodynamic barrel-aged dry Fench rosé made from Grenache, Clairette and Cinsault grapes. Rich and complex with aromas of ripe quince, dried orange, hints of almond and exotic spice.

A gorgeous Tavel and one of those rosé wines that is built for short-term aging.  The palate is silky yet full with luxurious red currant, cherry and mineral notes that cascade over the palate. A wine to serve with just about anything. Grilled tuna steaks, white meats, barbecue, ceviche. It's all good.

Expert Review

Joe Czerwiński writes:  Aged in oak foudres of 25 hectoliters, the 2022 Tavel Tete de Cuvee is in some ways the most traditional of the Tavels on offer at this impeccably run estate, eschewing stainless steel and leaving out Syrah in favor of Grenache, Cinsault and Clairette. A light ruby in hue, it does show hints of pencil shavings on the nose, alongside more classic notes of red currants, tangerines and a touch of garrigue. It's full-bodied yet not overly expansive, with the wood seemingly helping to provide structure and length.  Drinking 2023 - 2025.  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 92+

Winemaker Description

Domaine d’Andezon is one of the member-estates of Les Vignerons d’Estezargues and is unique in the region. While most of the vineyards in the Côtes-du-Rhône Villages Signargues are heavier clays covered with up to a meter of galets formed at the same time as the famed plateaux of galets in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this isn’t the terroir at Andezon. 

Instead, it is a fine pale sandy and chalky soil that favors Syrah (comprising 90-95% of Andezon in most vintages) in this hot and windy region by giving it an herbal lift and bright acidity.

Kristen Bieler writes:  Seductive violet and cassis aromas introduce this vibrant red, with a spine of graphite and sinewy tannins adding nice length. Syrah and Grenache. Drink now through 2025  - Wine Spectator  

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020

The Wine Advocate 90 Points | Significantly impacted by its elevated Syrah content, Guigal's 2020 Cotes du Rhone boasts expressive aromas of blackberries and blueberries, backed by ample black cherries. It's full-bodied yet supple and fluid, easy to drink and enjoy, with enough black olive and earth notes to ground it and keep it from being a simple fruit bomb.

Decanter 90 Points | Modern, lifted and a bit heady, but attractive and evocative. Black cherry inkiness segues into a dense palate where all the fruit is crammed into a structured body with drying tannins. Herbs and stones hemmed in by a firm grip. A good all rounder. 

Winemaker Description 

Deep and dark red. On the nose intensely aromatic, with black fruits and spices. The palate is full, round and sexy. Round and smooth tannins present through the full bodied, ample wine. Overall a complete wine, with a long finish, with elegance and finesse accompanying the abundance of fruit and well-balanced tannins.

Winemaker Description 

The Côtes-du-Rhône Reserve is more serious effort than the regular Côtes-du-Rhône bottling that showcases the estate’s ability to marry richness with finesse. Moderately tannic and endowed with a beautiful structure, this Côtes-du-Rhône develops greedy notes of fresh fruit (crushed strawberry, blackberry) on their crunchiness, supported by a hint of licorice.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020 

Jeb Dunnuck writes:  Leading off the reds and mostly Grenache, with small amounts of Mourvèdre, Syrah, Carignan, and Cinsault, the 2020 Côtes du Rhône has outstanding aromatics of darker berry fruits, violets, and peppery herbs. It’s balanced, has silky tannins, and is going to represent a great value.  Jeb Dunnuck 90

Joe Czerwiński writes:  A blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault, the 2020 Cotes du Rhone features slightly floral, rose-like scents, plus hints of garrigue and black cherries. Medium to full-bodied, it's silky and approachable, a charming, fruit-forward wine to drink over the next 5 years or so.  Drinking 2021 to 2026.  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 

James Suckling writes:  The floral side of the grenache grape gives this generous but very nicely balanced Cotes-du-Rhone a lot of charm, and when it leaps onto your palate it steadily gains in depth, thanks to the gentle tannins that build nicely. Wet-earth and warm terra-cotta notes add interest at the polished finish. Drink now.  - James Suckling 91

Kristen Bieler writes:  Ripe and rich, with up-front blackberry and warm plum paste interwoven with singed alder, cured meat and a spicy kick of anise and pepper to close things out. Grenache, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Syrah and Cinsault. Drink now through 2025.  - Wine Spectator 

Winemaker Description

In France’s Northern Rhone Valley, there are few names as revered as Graillot. It was in 1985 that the late, legendary Alain Graillot, who after working with the venerable Jacques Seysses at Domaine Dujac, came back to his home in Crozes-Hermitage to start his own domaine. With each passing year his devotion to the art of making hauntingly delicious Syrah from his organically farmed, stone-laden vineyards, was rewarded with an ever growing and highly dedicated following around the world. Alain’s sons Maxime and Antoine have been in charge since 2008, continuing the legacy set forth by their father. All the work is still completely the same as it ever was: hand-harvesting, organic farming, whole-cluster fermentation, and aging the wines primarily in 1-to-3 year old barrels purchased from some of the top estates in Burgundy.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

James Suckling 94 Points |  "A textural, balanced and harmonious red with such patina already. The nose shows notes of dark cherries, fresh plums, forest floor and warm spices. Medium-bodied with fine tannins. Dense and velvety, with a kick of peppercorns. Juicy, vivid and fresh finish. Drink or hold."

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Alistair Cooper MW of Jancis Robinson 16+ writes | Tasted blind. Good fruit and a very firm tannin structure. Moderate concentration of fruit, and good freshness. Closed and introverted but has lovely balance and length – this might blossom in a few years.  Drinking 2023 -2027. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020

Jeb Dunnuck writes 91 Points | The 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape from Avril checks in as 65% Grenache, 25% Syrah, and 10% Mourvedre. It has a perfumed nose of Bing cherries, candied violets, and ground pepper, as well as some sappy floral background nuances. Nicely textured on the palate, it's medium-bodied, has ripe yet building tannins, and a great finish. It's a beautiful, elegant wine that has lots to love. 

Joe Czerwiński of the Wine Advocate writes 91 Points | Marking back-to-back strong efforts from this producer, the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape features attractive aromas of ripe cherries, redcurrants, garrigue and some dried spices as well. A blend of 65% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre, raised in a combination of foudres and tanks, it's medium to full-bodied, with soft tannins and a long, juicy finish.  Drinking 2022 to 2033.

Winemaker Description 

Base of Grenache, then Syrah and Mourvèdre: the classic grape varieties of the appellation and a wine with beautiful tannins, which reveals itself with slight aeration. The mouth refines and stretches, the wine is calm and serene and just waiting for a meal. A great discovery in this appellation.

Winemaker Description

One of the most coveted brands in the Rhône Valley, Maison Ferraton offers us this fabulous cuvée at entry-level prices! At the blind tasting, among many others of its Denomination of Origin, this wine surprised all our experts with its irresistible value for money! 

Its tannins and fruitiness make it a cuvée to be discovered immediately!

The domain is mentioned in the Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France 2021 (RVF) and rated 3 stars in the Guide Bettane et Desseauve 2021.

Tasting Notes

Deep and intense garnet, with violet reflections. Fresh notes of black fruits, including blackberry and blackcurrant. A well-balanced, savory density complemented by a pleasant freshness. The finish lingers with rich black fruit aromas.

Our Professional Review

Bart of 67Wine.com writes | A delicious blend of organically grown grapes: 60% Grenache grown on upper south-southwest facing pebble slopes, and 40% Syrah grown in clay. Deeply colored with an enticing bouquet of blackberries, cherries and intense mineral notes. Velvety yet ample and rich in the mouth with supple tannins and an energetic lift on the delightful finish. This is a wine at the peak of its perfection to drink now. A great complement to country cooking and comfort foods. Certified organic.

Expert Review - Vintage 2018

Anna Lee C. Lijjma of the Wine Enthusiast writes | Notes of incense and preserved black plums introduce this smoky, spicy blend of  Grenache and  Syrah. While full in body, it's a briskly composed wine highlighting tart blackberry flavors and a lingering earthen finish. Best now–2026. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021 

93 Points James Suckling | A well-crafted, aromatic and textural red.  It shows notes of dark berries, game, wild herbs, grilled meat and baking spices with some cloves.  Medium-bodied with fin tannings.  Layered and highly textural.  Spicy and well composed.

89 Points Wine Advocate | In a lighter year, the 2021 Cotes du Rhone Cuvee Maclura is a juicy, fresh, fun blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% each Cinsault and Mourvèdre. Notes of struck match and black olive lend a savory cast to the black cherry fruit, so it's not a simple, one-note wonder but a medium to full-bodied wine of reasonable complexity.

Producer Description 

Born under an Osage orange tree, the Cuvée Maclura Côtes du Rhône calls for the greediness of the fruit revealing a blend of spices with delicate tannins. Designed with respect for the traditions of the south, this cuvée is like our grandmothers’ cuisine : generous and full of life.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

James Suckling 91 Points | Candied cherries, sweet cranberries and a touch of stewed herbs. Lightly chewy in terms of tannins, with a fluid center palate and a medium-length finish. A bit overripe, but approachable. A good, simple Chateauneuf that shows early appeal.

Winemaker Description

The nose is warm and shows an attractive complexity characterized by understated red fruit and spice along with leather and tertiary notes. The palate is composed and lighter in weight, exhibiting a mix of red cherry and spice. There is a fine, balanced structure. This is an elegant, not heavyweight style expressing Cinsault and Grenache in particular, with the emphasis on finesse rather than power.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022