Erik Michielsen

9.3

2003 still silky and structured and long — 21 days ago

with Debbie

Rich Bluth

9.2

wow, absolutely top tier syrah from a cool climate region, Arroyo Grande — 3 years ago

Patrick Keenum

9.4

Great well balanced red — 4 years ago

Martinez

9.0

Blend of Grenache (80%) and Mourvedre (20%) from 6 parcels in the Palastor, Bois Dauphin and Cabrières lieux-dits, located around the road to Orange in the cooler, northern part of the Châteauneuf du Pape AOC. From 60-80 years old vines Gradassi inherited from his grandfather rooted on sandy and clay soils, with few galets roulés (round river stones). Whole-bunch fermentation in cement vats. Aged for 10 months in older barriques. Intense, complex and fabulously aromatic, with aromas of dark fruit, garrigue, licorice and an edge of graphite/gunpowder. Big and powerful (14.5%) yet balanced. Earthy, leathery qualities and some chewy tannins. — 4 years ago

romo

9.1

Satisfying cinnamon boysenberry. Meaty matchy QPR. — 7 months ago

Martinez

9.4

One of Usseglio’s top cuvées, Mon Aïeul (“my granddad”) is 100% Grenache from some of the estate’s oldest vines (about 85 years of age) in La Crau, La Guigasse and Les Grandes Serres lieux-dits – each with a different type of soil.

Situated on an elevated plateau to the east of the village, La Crau is perhaps Châteauneuf’s most famous cru, known for its distinctive “galets roulés”, large, rounded river stones deposited here by the Rhône millions of years ago. To the south of the village, Les Grandes Serres is a very warm site on gravelly alluvial soils (and the source of the estate’s biggest wine, the 18% ABV “Not for You”). La Guigasse, on the other hand, is a cooler, sandier site with hardly any galets located on the northeastern part of the appellation, near the famous Pignan and Rayas lieux-dits (Chateau Rayas)

Mostly unoaked, it was brought up in concrete vats, with 15-20% in demi-muids. Ruby red color. Intensely perfumed, with notes of red and dark fruit (strawberry, raspberry), licorice and herbs. Full-bodied, rich, opulent and concentrated. Ripe fruit (cherry) and white pepper, smooth and creamy on the palate. Long, velvety, quite tannic finish. Hedonistic wine. — 2 years ago

harry Juggins

9.0

Cheap and cheerful — 4 years ago

Adam Kincaid

9.0

Beautiful northern Rhône style in Languedoc. Deep purple hues with powerful game / meat scents and iron. Herbaceous, dried thyme, pepper, some ripened raspberry too. Medium body, strong tannins, medium acids.

Made out of site named “Puech Noble.” Located on a small plateau, the ground is covered with ‘galets roulés’ - rounded stones - Very similar to those found in the parts of nearby Chateauneuf-du-Pape. At 150m higher than most of Chateauneuf, so is significantly cooler and offers a fresher character. — 2 years ago

with Jillian

Nicole Ruiz Hudson

8.9

N: raspberry jam, red plum, black cherry, pinch white pepper.
P: “” with more pepper, stones, and pinch of herbs.

Rounded up front and spicy finish. Worked beautifully w prosciutto pizza and got more supple and rounded w the food.

#sample — 4 years ago

Makio

9.0

First Beaujolais nouveau 2020 — 4 years ago