Roche Redonne Bandol Rouge Les Bartavelles 2016

Cabrieres Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge Les Silex  is made from 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah .

The vineyard is situated on the high tablelands, which are characteristic of the northern area of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The terrain consists mainly of alpine diluvium and chalky Miocenian soil, with large flint pebbles covering the surface. These pebbles conserve the heat of the day during the night, thus avoiding too much evaporation.

This 2016 has opened up and is drinking great right now. A blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah. Elegant cherry red color, with expressive notes of red fruits (strawberry and raspberry). Mellow tannins, well-balanced on the palate. I feel I need to point out the freshness, it is bright and lively on the palate, something we don’t see a lot of in this region. This also makes it extremely food friendly as it can hold up to fatty proteins.

Very good with white meat, red meat, charcuterie and cheese.

Review:

"Silex refers to the large, flint pebbles that cover this northern Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyard and it's hard not to notice their salty, smoky undertones in this deeply fruity, penetrating red. The palate of this unoaked blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah highlights youthful, ripe black-cherry and plum flavors coated in soft, silky tannins and a lift of minerality. Delicious young, the wine should hold through 2025. - ANNA LEE C. IIJIMA"

- Wine Enthusiast (October 2021), 94 pts

Fayolle Crozes-Hermitage Rouge La Rochette is made from 25-year-old vines planted on loess and red granitic soils. 100% Syrah.
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Deep ruby red color. 
The wine has plenty to offer with red and black fruit aromas, as well as a good minerality. 
The finish is long, clean and juicy and offers some white pepper spiciness typical of the best Crozes-Hermitage.

Soil type is red brittle granite and white soil.
Hand harvested in small crates. The grapes are then pumped into tanks (full cluster, not destemmed). 
It will stay in this tank for 15 days for the skin contact maceration and the Alcoholic fermentation.
They will also use the "rack and return" technique (delestage).
Then the wine is transfered into neutral French Oak barrels where the wine will complete the Malo-Lactic fermentation.

Review:

"While medium-bodied in frame, this densely packed Syrah heaves with luscious, almost pulpy, black-cherry and blueberry flavors. Its rounded, fleshy nature is amplified by sunny acidity and smooth, gentle tannins, but bright streaks of violet and crushed granite invigorate the midpalate. It's ready to drink now but should hold through 2026. Anna Lee C. IIJIMA"

- Wine Enthusiast Magazine (July 2019), 91 pts

Xavier Vignon Cotes du Rhone Rouge Cuvee Vieilles Vignes Organic is made from 50% Grenache, 40% Mourvèdre, 5% Syrah and 5% Cinsault.

The diversity of terroirs used in this blend allows this wine to combine freshness and balance.

We used Clay and limestone plots located on the hillside where old Grenache naturally express roasted hints. We could obtain in this wine empyreumatical hints without the use of barrels. These plots particular soils and orientation allowed grapes to reach an optimal level of ripeness while conserving a good acidity level.

We also integrated grapes coming from plots located on red rocky clay soils also named “garrigues”. These big red stone are restituting heat coming from the sun at night and bring power and structure to the wine.
Also the blend features vines coming from sandy clays, which are light and rather fresh soils: this allowed the wine to maintain a freshness and vivacity.

Bouquet of cassis, blueberries, lavender, cured meats, and graphite. It's deep, rich, medium to full-bodied, and has a great finish. The Mourvèdre keeps this tight and fresh.

Pairs with grilled beef rib - Veal Columbo - Pork ribs slightly spiced

Review:

"A blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Mourvèdre and the rest Cinsault and Syrah, the 2016 Côtes du Rhône Cuvée Vieilles Vignes offers a gorgeous bouquet of cassis, blueberries, lavender, cured meats, and graphite. It's deep, rich, medium to full-bodied, and has a great finish. The Mourvèdre keeps this tight and fresh, and I suspect it will age beautifully."
- Jeb Dunnuck (February 15th 2018), 92+ pts

Fayolle Crozes-Hermitage Rouge La Rochette is made from 25-year-old vines planted on loess and red granitic soils. 100% Syrah.

Deep ruby red color. 
The wine has plenty to offer with red and black fruit aromas, as well as a good minerality. 
The finish is long, clean and juicy and offers some white pepper spiciness typical of the best Crozes-Hermitage.

Soil type is red brittle granite and white soil.
Hand harvested in small crates. The grapes are then pumped into tanks (full cluster, not destemmed). 
It will stay in this tank for 15 days for the skin contact maceration and the Alcoholic fermentation.
They will also use the "rack and return" technique (delestage).
Then the wine is transfered into neutral French Oak barrels where the wine will complete the Malo-Lactic fermentation.

Review:

"The 2017 Crozes Hermitage La Rochette combines gentle notes of cracked pepper with ripe blueberries in a full-bodied, creamy-textured wine. It's lush on the palate, only firming up on the lengthy, mouthwatering finish. - Joe Czerwinski"

- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (January 2020), 91 pts

Anne Delaroche Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge is made from 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, 10% Cinsault

Very deep garnet red color. Bouquet of small red berries and hints of spices. Rich, round and full in the mouth with a long finish.

Pairs well with game, duck, guinea fowl, pigeon, osso bucco, eggplant cake and flavorsome cheeses.

Anne Delaroche Cotes du Rhone Rouge is made from 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre
Clear ruby wine with overtones of red berry fruits. Round and supple with smooth aftertaste. A good all round red wine for meat courses, poultry and light cheeses. Best drunk now while fresh with good keeping up to 4 years.

Serve at 14°C (57°F).
Currently in organic conversion (they should be certified within the next  years).