Wine Cellar

Wine:  Crozes Hermitage Blanc

Wine:  Crozes Hermitage La Guiraude

Wine:  Crozes Hermitage Rouge

Denser, with more blackberry fruit such as well as hints of licorice and cassis, the medium to full-bodied, wonderfully pure, dense 2009 Crozes-Hermitage is a winner and a big-time sleeper of the vintage. This rich, full, multi-layered wine should drink well for 10-15 years. 2009 is Alain Graillot’s finest vintage since 1990.

Wine:  Gigondas Terrasses de Montmirail

From a cool-climate region, the 2007 Gigondas Terrasses de Montmirail is a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah. A very strong effort, it exhibits aromas of damp earth, crushed rocks, acacia flowers, and blue and black fruits as well as considerable body and concentration. Drink this impressive Gigondas over the next decade.

Wine:  Gigondas Terrasses de Montmirail

The 2009 Gigondas Terrasses de Montmirail exhibits a dark ruby color, lots of minerality, notions of blueberries and red currants, good acidity and 10 years of drinkability.

Drinking period: 2010 - 2020

Wine:  Rasteau Les Valats

The deep ruby/purple-colored 2007 Cotes du Rhône -Villages Rasteau Les Valats displays the chocolatey side of Grenache along with aromas and flavors of scorched earth, black fruits, and earth. This masculine, classic Rasteau should age nicely for a decade.

Wine:  Vacqueryas Grande Garrigue

The 2009 Alain Jaume Vacqueyras Grande Garrigue is much more backward, displaying a denser blue/purple color, thicker, richer blue and black fruits, and hints of kirsch, lavender, and garrigue. Still grapy and unformed, but loaded with potential given its depth of concentration and richness, it will benefit from another 2-3 months of bottle age, and keep for 5-8 years.

Wine:  Condrieu

This is a part tank, part barriques fermented blend of Viognier grapes from a parcel at Verlieux and young vines Côteau de Chery. Intense aromatic and dry, less immediately fruity than the Saint-Joseph but so fine and sophisticated, notes of wild fresh-cut flowers, violets, peaches, cinnamon spice, dried rose, with a juicy, dry citrus finish, superbly balanced.

Wine:  Condrieu Chateau du Chery

The Chery vineyard boasts very pure soft granite soils that enable the roots to go deep, which stand the vines in particularly good stead during heat waves and result in wines of strong mineral character. It is one of the great vineyards of Condrieu. Perennially a class above almost any other white Rhône, this is dense packed and powerful, it immediately unveils a fragrant, boisterous palate, this is far more instantly expressive than usual, plump peach skin, nectarine, Mirabelle and violet characteristics with a little bite of cherry stone acidity and a subtle mineral suggestion. Very Impressive.

Wine:  St Joseph

The dense ruby/purple-tinged 2009 St.-Joseph is filled with notes of cherry liqueur, raspberries, smoke and licorice intermixed with a wet rock-like component. Full-bodied and opulent, with lower acidity than the 2010, it will keep for a decade or more. Robert Parker. Always an honest, pure Saint-Joseph of good complexity and a certain degree of stuffing with no hard edges, this is one of the great value northern Rhônes, made in a gently extracted way without stalks and aged in used oak barriques. The 2009 is one of the most profound André has made, ripe crushed bramble, mulberry and loganberry fruit, really polished and ripe without being too sweet or slushy, really smart sleek tannins provide structure, finishing on complex savoury notes of coal dust, liquorice and sandalwood. An excellent, sturdy effort that will require some years bottle age. Jancis Robinson

Wine:  St Joseph Grisieres

The spectacular 2009 St.-Joseph Les Grisieres boasts an inky/ruby/purple color along with superb notes of boysenberries, black raspberry liqueur, graphite, forest floor and a hint of flowers. With superb texture, full body, terrific purity and a multidimensional mouthfeel, this super effort should drink well for 10-15 years.

Wine:  Chateauneuf du Pape Barbe Rac

Dark crimson. Really round and rich and spicy/herby. Pretty damned subtle. Very much more perfumed, subtle and gentle than original vintages. Lots of tannin on the finish. Pretty impressive!

Drinking period: 2013 - 2025

Wine:  Cote Rotie La Mordoree

Wine:  Cote Rotie La Mordoree

Sweet and rich and very scented. Perfumed and polished. Could perhaps do with very slightly brighter fruit. Just a little bit tepid somehow. 'We were last to pick in Côte Rôtie' (and it tastes like it). Michel Chapoutier is reminded a lot of 1991.

Drinking period: 2013 - 2019

Wine:  Cotes du Rhône Belleruche Blanc

The 2009 Belleruche blanc, which comes principally from Grenache blanc and Marsanne and is aged completely in tank, offers floral and grapefruit notes with some quince and white currant. Light to medium-bodied and fresh, with good fruit and texture, it should drink nicely for another 1-2 years.

Wine:  Cotes du Rhône Belleruche Rouge

80% Grenache and 20% Syrah made in a beautiful, light-bodied drinking style. Grippy tannins, elegance and NO OAK!

Wine:  Crozes Hermitage Meysonniers

The dense purple-colored 2009 Crozes-Hermitage Les Meysonnieres is much more concentrated than normal with loads of melted licorice, black olive, red and black currant and camphor notes. This impressively fruity, medium to full-bodied red can be enjoyed over the next 7-10 years.

Wine:  Ermitage Le Oree Blanc

The 2007 Ermitage Cuvee de l’Oree reveals a light gold color as well as a rich nose of flowers intermixed with honeyed oranges, apricots, quince, and currants. Deep, full-bodied, and multidimensional, it should drink nicely for 30+ years.

Wine:  Ermitage Le Oree Blanc

Slightly better is the 600-case cuvee of 2008 Ermitage Cuvee de l’Oree. This brilliant white Hermitage from the top of the granite dome of this appellation offers notes of roasted hazelnuts, nectarine oil, citrus, quince and crushed rocks. Astonishingly full-bodied and rich, particularly in view of the vintage conditions, it is exceeded in quality ever so slightly by the two white Hermitages that follow.

Drinking period: 2010 - 2016

Wine:  Ermitage Le Pavillon Rouge

There are nearly 1,200 cases of the 2006 Ermitage Le Pavillon. Since Michel Chapoutier released his first full vintage, 1989, of this single vineyard Hermitage, it has been one of the great wines of both France and the world. The 1989 and 1990 remain very young wines (I had them over the holiday break and was amazed by their still youthful personalities.). The inky/purple-hued 2006 exhibits a gorgeous perfume of crushed rocks, white flowers, creme de cassis, blackberries, graphite, and a subtle touch of oak. Exceptionally full-bodied, multilayered in concentration, extraordinarily pure, and long, this is a prodigious young Hermitage that should be at its finest between 2018-2050+.

Wine:  Ermitage Le Pavillon Rouge

Made in a lighter style, but still a full-bodied, powerful wine, the dark purple-hued 2007 Ermitage Le Pavillon reveals aromas of creme de cassis, black truffles, cold steel, and crushed rocks. Dense and tannic, with good acidity, resounding richness, and a substantial finish, it is a top-notch effort that should evolve for three decades.

Wine:  Ermitage Le Pavillon Rouge

The most concentrated 2008 Ermitage is Le Pavillon (915 cases). Backward as well as elegant, it offers up scents of blueberries, blackberries, camphor, black truffles and earth. The wine is medium to full-bodied, moderately tannic and, atypically, capable of lasting 20-25+ years.

Drinking period: 2018 - 2030

Wine:  Ermitage L'Ermite Rouge

A more near-term candidate for consumption is the 2007 Ermitage l’Ermite. It is a more austere, slightly less concentrated effort possessing notes of powdered rock as well as red and black fruits, full-bodied power, and a long finish. It is not among the pantheon of the most compelling Ermitage l’Ermites made by Michel Chapoutier, but it is certainly an outstanding one. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2035..

Wine:  Ermitage L'Ermite Rouge

It is an amazing achievement. Even better is the 2008 Ermitage l’Ermite (449 cases). Not as concentrated as Le Pavillon, it reveals a powdered rock character in its ink, graphite, earth, blueberry and black currant-scented bouquet. Displaying medium to full body as well as great purity, it is another amazing accomplishment from Michel Chapoutier. Interestingly, in 2008, Chapoutier decided to cut back on the new oak for all of his top cuvees (utilizing 25% versus the normal 100%).

Drinking period: 2020 - 2035

Wine:  Ermitage L'Ermite Rouge

There are nearly 1,000 cases of the 2006 Ermitage l’Ermite, another candidate for perfection in a few years. It boasts an inky/ruby/purple color as well as a stunning bouquet reminiscent of a grand cru Musigny from Burgundy. Spring flower, crushed rock, black raspberry, and black currant scents dominate the aromatics of this incredibly pure, full-bodied wine. With laser-like precision and enormous extract and concentration, it comes across as remarkably elegant and fresh with crystal clear focus. A beautiful tour de force from the decomposed granitic soils of this site on the top of the Hermitage mountain, this amazing wine requires a decade of cellaring, and should last for 35 years

Wine:  Gigondas

Wine:  Hermitage Chante Alouette Blanc

The 2007 Ermitage Chante Alouette is a bold, exuberant, full-bodied, fresh effort that does not possess the minerality and nuttiness found in the 2006. Nevertheless, it, too, is a top-notch white.

Wine:  Hermitage Sizeranne Rouge

Exceptional for the vintage! Showing black currants and liquorice in an elegant and aromatic mold. Sturdy tannis, typical of Hermitage. Drink now to 2018

Wine:  St Joseph Les Granits Blanc

100% Marsanne on granite @ 15 hl/ha.The light gold-colored 2008 St.-Joseph Les Granits Blanc possesses classic Mandarin orange and crushed rock-like notes, medium to full body, fresh acids and a long finish. This evolved beauty is one of the vintage’s striking successes. Drink it over the next 4-5 years.

Drinking period: 2011 - 2013

Wine:  St Joseph Les Granits Rouge

A super effort, the 2008 St.-Joseph Les Granits reveals smoky gun flint, creme de cassis, black cherry, charcoal and damp earth notes in a round, medium to full-bodied, rich, layered style. It should drink well for a decade.

Drinking period: 2012 - 2016

Wine:  St Peray Blanc

Wine:  Tavel Beaurevoir Rose

Wine:  Tavel Beaurevoir Rose

Wine:  Tricastin Estubiers Rouge

A real sleeper of the vintage as well as a big-time value is the 2007 Coteaux du Tricastin Chateau des Estubiers, which is produced from old vine Grenache (80%) and Syrah (20%). It possesses a dark ruby/purple color in addition to abundant notes of cassis, black raspberries, licorice, pepper, and incense. Medium-bodied and loaded with fruit, it is the finest example I have ever tasted from this estate. It should drink well for 2-3 years.

Wine:  Cornas

Perhaps the finest Cornas I have ever tasted from Clape, the flagship 2009 Cornas comes from the estate’s oldest vines. My notes begin with the words, “his greatest ever?” Fresh fig, blueberry, charcoal, incense, licorice and burning ember-like aromas are present in this phenomenally concentrated, textured, seamlessly constructed blockbuster. The tannin, acidity and alcohol are all well-integrated in this 2009 that sees no new oak. A legend in the making, it should drink well for 20-25 years.

Wine:  Cornas Renaissance

The stunning 2009 Cornas Renaissance comes from moderately old vines. Aromas of new saddle leather, roasted meats, blackberries, cassis, tar and acacia flowers jump from the glass of this unctuously textured, super-rich, full-bodied Cornas. Some tannins are noticeable, but several years of cellaring will be beneficial, and this wine will drink well for 12-15 years.

Wine:  Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Vieilles Vignes

The 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is considered by many observers in Chateauneuf du Pape to be the wine of the vintage, and it can most certainly be counted among the finest. A blend of 80% Grenache and the rest Syrah and Mourvedre tipping the scales at 15.5% natural alcohol (which is slightly less than the Chaupin), the wine has an inky black/purple color as well as incredible density and richness, with notes of soy, blackberry, and blueberry liqueur, incense, acacia flowers and licorice. The layered, full-bodied mouthfeel displays no heat, but the wine has massive concentration and a silky, smooth finish. Because of the low acidity in the 2009s, and sweet tannins, this has turned out to be a glorious example of Chateauneuf du Pape to drink over the next two decades.

Wine:  Chateau Curson Crozes Hermitage

Deep velvety crimson colour. More closed on the nose than the straight Crozes but an inviting sense of depth and purity of dark fruit. Just a little bit toasty but it’s the fruit that shines most. Much darker and more savoury on the palate. It seems lighter than the Crozes but I think that is misleading and it is just less self-revealing at the moment and more streamlined. Certainly more elegant and fine grained. Tightly furled but ripe tannins. Sophisticated. (JH)

Wine:  Crozes Hermitage

A Syrah from Etienne Pochon’s vines in Chanos Curson, aged in used oak barrels for 10-12 months. This is packed with fruit, brimming with very ripe Victoria plum, damson and bramble flavours with a fresh balancing acidity, dense ripe but fine fruit tannins, charming and packed with fruit as it is this will nonetheless require a few months in bottle to soften, it’s one of the most powerful straight Crozes that Etienne has made, but should be drinking very well from 2011 onwards.

Wine:  Crozes Hermitage Blanc

An unoaked blend of 60% Marsanne and 40% Roussanne bottled in the spring after the vintage. Juicy fruit skin, peach, nectarine and white flower with hints of sea salt, a good plump and refreshing white Rhône that has a touch of glycerol and roundness to it whilst maintaining a nice tension.

Wine:  Chateauneuf du Pape

The 2008 Grand Veneur Chateauneuf du Pape is one of the top wines of the vintage. Its dark ruby/purple color is accompanied by beautiful aromas of underbrush, blackberries, kirsch, spice box, pepper and grilled meats. Spicy and luscious with medium to full body, decent acidity and sweet tannins, it should drink nicely for 7-8 years.

Drinking period: 2010 - 2018

Wine:  Chateauneuf du Pape

The 2009 Grand Veneur Chateauneuf du Pape (made from the same blend as the 2008 - 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre) exhibits an inky/plum/purple color along with an impressive bouquet of Asian hoisin sauce, blackberries, black currants, sweet cherries, licorice and camphor. It is a dense, full-bodied, rich, heady wine with silky tannins, low acidity and abundant glycerin. Drink it over the next decade or more. Grand Veneur's two luxury offerings are among the finest wines of the appellation.

Wine:  Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc

The 2009 Grand Veneur Chateauneuf du Pape blanc, a blend of 50% Clairette, 30% Roussanne and 20% Grenache blanc aged in stainless steel, exhibits lots of tropical fruits such as mango and pineapple intermixed with honeysuckle, crushed rocks and white flowers. Medium to full-bodied, fresh, pure and lively, it is best drunk over the next year.

Wine:  Chateauneuf du Pape Fontaine Blanc

Wine:  Chateauneuf du Pape Fontaine Blanc

The 100% Roussanne cuvee, the expensive but very white Burgundy-like 2009 Grand Veneur Chateauneuf du Pape La Fontaine blanc comes from 70+-year-old Roussanne vines and is aged 6-8 months in 600-liter demi-muids. It exhibits intense aromas of flowers, honeysuckle, candle wax, rose water, orange marmalade and apricots. Full-bodied with great acidity, the wood is pushed way to the background.

Wine:  Chateauneuf du pape Les Origines

A candidate for wine of the vintage is Grand Veneur's 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Origines. A dense plum/purple color is followed by an intoxicatingly heady perfume of ground pepper, spice box, garrigue, meat juices, and copious quantities of red and black fruits. In the mouth, it exhibits superb texture, silky tannins, and a long, full-bodied, powerful finish with no hard edges. Consume it over the next 10-15 years.

Wine:  Chateauneuf du Pape Les Origines

The beautiful 2009 Grand Veneur Chateauneuf du Pape Les Origines (a blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 20% Syrah aged in small barrels) offers notes of graphite, camphor, blackberries, creme de cassis, Provencal herbs and lavender. It is nearly as good as the brilliant 2007. Full-bodied and rich with nicely integrated tannins, acidity and wood, the 2009 will benefit from several years of bottle age and should evolve for 20 or more years.

Wine:  Chateauneuf du Pape Origines Mag

A candidate for wine of the vintage is Grand Veneur's 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Origines. A dense plum/purple color is followed by an intoxicatingly heady perfume of ground pepper, spice box, garrigue, meat juices, and copious quantities of red and black fruits. In the mouth, it exhibits superb texture, silky tannins, and a long, full-bodied, powerful finish with no hard edges. Consume it over the next 10-15 years.

Wine:  Chateauneuf du Pape Origines Mag

The beautiful 2009 Grand Veneur Chateauneuf du Pape Les Origines (a blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 20% Syrah aged in small barrels) offers notes of graphite, camphor, blackberries, creme de cassis, Provencal herbs and lavender. It is nearly as good as the brilliant 2007. Full-bodied and rich with nicely integrated tannins, acidity and wood, the 2009 will benefit from several years of bottle age and should evolve for 20 or more years.

Wine:  Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes

The 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes (a cuvee that was first made in 2006) is a blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 20% Syrah, all aged in new oak casks. Despite all the new oak, its influence is marginal. Some toasty notes are present, but the wine is very full-bodied with extraordinarily intense aromas and flavors of creme de cassis, kirsch, lavender, licorice and hints of lead pencil shavings and smoke. Dense, full-bodied, tannic and super intense, this is a massive 2009 that begs for 4-5 years of cellaring. It should drink well for 20-25 years thereafter.

Drinking period: 2014 - 2039

Wine:  Cotes du Rhône Les Champauvins

Interestingly, it did not outclass its counterpart in the much inferior vintage of 2008, the 2008 Cotes du Rhône -Villages Les Champauvins. The latter wine was made from the same blend, has an identical price, and is of essentially equal quality. However, the 2008 is far more evolved than the twelve months difference in age would suggest. It also moves more toward the earthy, autumnal, vegetative character, but there is no shortage of sweet black cherry fruit, pepper, licorice, and spice box characteristics in this wine. Drink this full-bodied 2008 over the next two years, whereas the 2009 should last for 4-5 years.

Wine:  Cotes du Rhône Les Champauvins

The outstanding, silky, pure 2009 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Les Champauvins represents a baby Chateauneuf du Pape. Composed of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10% Mourvedre, it reveals a deep ruby/plum color in addition to full-bodied flavors, light tannin, and lavender, truffle, black currant, and black cherry aromas.

Wine:  Lirac Clos de Sixte

A prodigious effort, the 2009 Lirac Clos de Sixte blows away the 2008. This dense purple-colored wine offers up notes of black truffles, charcoal, blackberries, kirsch, garrigue, new saddle leather, herbs de Provence, spice box, and smoke. It possesses great fruit, full-bodied power, excellent depth, and abundant silky tannins. Drink it over the next 6-8 years.

Drinking period: 2010 - 2018

Wine:  Côte Rôtie

Really solid, with a still-compact core of braised fig, mulled black currant, grilled chestnut and roasted olive notes, held in check by charred wood and truffle hints. There's burly grip, but it's integrated on the long, dark finish, which is spiked with an iron note. Best from 2011 through 2021. 150 cases imported. –JM

Wine:  Côte Rôtie

Youthfully tight, with hints of lilac, white pepper and red currant quickly overrun by a strong iron note. The finish is taut, with a damson plum note lingering, but it's also seriously long, and this should more than fill out nicely.--Non-blind Jamet Côte-Rôtie vertical (2010). Best from 2012 through 2020. –JM

Wine:  Crozes Hermitage Domaine des Lises

Wine:  Côte-Rôtie Côte Blonde

The beautiful 2009 Cote Rotie Cote Blonde offers up aromas of pepper, bouquet garni, spring flowers, roasted meats, black raspberries and kirsch. This fragrant, spicy, floral, opulent, voluptuously textured, medium to full-bodied 2009 possesses terrific purity (a hallmark of all the Rostaing wines). It, too, should drink nicely for 10-15 years, but there is no reason to delay your gratification. Landing March 2012

Drinking period: 2011-2026

Wine:  Côte-Rôtie Cuvee Ampodium

The 2009 Cote Rotie Classique exhibits sweeter, riper fruit as well as abundant raspberry and cherry notes intermixed with bacon fat and spice. This is 100% Syrah with no Viognier co-fermented. There is some tannin to shed, but the overall impression is one of flesh and intensity. Robert Parker Expressive peppery dark fruit, a little reductive, as one might expect, but still scented. Tight but already moreish and so fine grained. Sweet, elegant, almost a touch of red fruit on the palate. Very long. 'The wines are not ready for tasting – they have something of the chien fou about them at the moment', says Rostaing. Jancis Robinson, Landing March 2012

Wine:  Côte-Rôtie Cuvee Terroirs

Fine delicate spice – nutmeg and white pepper (as in 2002, Rostaing notes) - but also herbal, leafy and white-peppered on the palate. Tense and fine with a fine grip. Of the three Rostaing Côtes Rôties, this is the perhaps the lightest but the most complete at the moment and I think it will give more pleasure in relative youth while that perfume is still fresh Landing March 2012

Wine:  Côte-Rôtie La Landonne

Showing beautifully, the 2009 Cote Rotie La Landonne offers aromas of tapenade, bouquet garni, asphalt, blackberries, cassis, roasted meats and additional black fruits. More evolved and softer than the 2010, with a long, full-bodied finish, it can be drunk now and over the next 10-15 years, Landing March 2012

Drinking period: 2011-2026