Domain de la Romanee-Conti Romanee-st-Vivant Marey-Monge 2020

Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Vieilles Vignes is made from 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah, 5% divers.

In contrast to Chaupin, which is made from old-vine Grenache on sandy soils, the cuvée Vieilles Vignes is from old vines of Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah along with smaller percentages of other permitted varieties that are grown in these old vineyards. The wine is sourced from 4 terroirs: pebbly clay, sand, gravelly red clay and sandy limestone. Vieilles Vignes is always the most powerful and concentrated Châteauneuf-du-Pape cuvée made at Domaine de la Janasse.

Review:

-Jeb Dunnuck 98 Points

-Joe Czerwinski 98 Points

-Falstaff 98 Points

-Decanter World Wine Awards 97 Points

Alain Jaume Domaine du Clos de Sixte Lirac is made from 50% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre

An intense red garnet color. On the nose, aromas of red and black ripe fruit (kirsch and wild blackberry). The mouth is full, with aromas of blackcurrant liqueur and spice. Tannins are both harmonious and elegant thanks to the fleshiness of the wine. Hints of licorice and vanilla on the finish, which gives the wine length and complexity.

Soil type LIRAC vineyard is facing Chateauneuf du Pape, opposite side of the Rhône river. As showed by the picture and following geologist George Truc, soils are almost similar in both side. They are marked by the violence wrought by the Rhone river. It consists of a layer of marine molasses of the Miocene period covered by alpine alluvium. The presence of a great number of rounded stones known as "galets" in the earth is evidence of the time when the Rhone, then a torrent, tore fragments of rock from the Alps and deposited them on the plain. LIRAC is one of the up-coming best area from the southern Rhône valley, as it delivers outstanding wines. Winemaking & ageing Traditional wine-making in stainless still vats. Hand sorted bunches, crushed and destemmed grapes. Fermentation temperature : 30°C. 18 days of vatting with pigeages.

Review:

-Wine Enthusiast 91 Points

Delas Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes is made from Syrah.

Sourced from Delas' holdings on the Hermitage hill, this 2021 has a deep, brilliant red hue. The nose is powerful and complex, expressing blackberries, spices and leather. On the palate the wine is firm but silky, with the tightly-knit tannic structure that is the hallmark of wines with a long future.

Pair this wine with rare or medium-cooked game, marinated meats and spicy stews. We recommend opening this bottle between one and three hours before drinking.

 Reviews:

Some weight of fruit here underneath the measured clove oak. Smooth, ripe, with well-balanced acidity, this has a good sense of balance and elegance. Fresh, with plentiful cinnamon spice and forest berry fruit that's just-ripe, neither over nor under. A fairly compact, early-drinking Hermitage, not a powerful one, but one that has some natural class.

-Decanter 93 Points

Very complex nose with notes of candied orange, cocoa powder and spice. Remarkably harmonious for the vintage with almost silky tannins, then comes an intense flinty character that gives the slightly sweet finish so much excitement. Matured entirely in oak barrels with about one quarter new, but only for 12 months.

-James Suckling 93 Points

"In der Nase verhalten aber vielversprechend. Mit herbalen und waldig anmutenden Noten, auch Bohnerwachs und Pfeffer, ein Hauch von Waldbeeren. Im Gaumen vielschichtig ausgewogen, auch zupackend, mit feinkörnigem Tannin und einer angepassten saftigen Säure. Gute Länge. sehr gehaltvoll."

-Vinum Wine Magazine 95 Points

Domaine Jean-Claude et Nicholas Fayolle Hermitage Les Dionneres Blanc is made from 100% Marsanne.

Fayolle Hermitage Blanc Les Dionnieres boasts a superb golden yellow color and extraordinary smoothness and creamy, honeyed aromas of hazelnut, peach and apricot developping into scents of iris, narcissus and lime blossom. Pure and crisp, a solid texture and a clean finish.

Review:

-Jeb Dunnuck 91 Points

La Despensa Boutique Field Blend is made from 45% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre and 5% Roussanne.

This is La Despensa's flagship Rhône-blend, produced from grapes from their own, organic vineyard in Colchagua. Their passion is to produce very high-quality grapes - it’s the vineyard work that they love the most. So this blend is always a little different year after year, as they make whatever the vineyard gives them. In 2020 they incorporated a little Roussanne to the blend, which adds some mouthfeel and a tiny background note of tropical fruit, to accompany the fresh fruit and structure that the other varieties bring out.

Review:

-James Suckling 92 Points

Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Chaupin is made from 100 percent Grenache.

Chaupin is Domaine de la Janasse's single-parcel expression of old-vine Grenache, drawn mostly from the sandy-soiled Chapouin lieu-dit with smaller parts from La Crau and Janasse, some of the oldest vines planted in the early twentieth century. The Sabon family has run the estate near Courthezon since 1967 - today the brother-and-sister team of Christophe and Isabelle - and Janasse stands among Chateauneuf-du-Pape's benchmark producers. Partially destemmed and aged twelve months in foudre and demi-muids, Chaupin is the purest, most perfumed side of Grenache in its homeland.

Review:

All Grenache sourced mostly from the Chapouin lieu-dit with a splash from Janasse, the 2023 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Chaupin shows a medium ruby hue followed by a pretty, perfumed, remarkably elegant profile. It has a core of sweet red and black berry fruits, absolutely heavenly Provençal aromatics of herbes de Provence, black olive, pepper, and flowers, plus ripe, velvety tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. Partially destemmed and aged 12 months in 70% foudre and 30% demi-muids, this heavenly 2023 will drink beautifully over the coming two decades. There are roughly 1,500 cases produced. Drink 2025-2045.

-Jeb Dunnuck 99 Points