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Xavier Vignon Cotes du Rhone Blanc is 40% Viognier, 30% Grenache, 20% Roussane, & 10% Picpoul.
From Vienne to Avignon, the Côtes du Rhône appellation is one of the largest in the french vineyard.
Around 6% of the area is dedicated to the production of grapes from varieties that can be vinified as white wine.
Brilliant yellow with gold highlights.
Suave and generous taste. Long saline finish with good acidity.
Perfumes of yellow fruit, citrus, white flowers with mineral notes.
A fresh, fruity and mineral wine that pairs best with French onion soup, green vegetables, risottos, light pastas and goat cheese.
For the last 15 years, oenologist Xavier Vignon has become internationally known for being the winemaker of several of the best domaines in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and around (La Nerthe, La Vieille Julienne, Beaurenard, La Mordorée, etc.)
In 2002, some friends (who are wine importers) asked him if he can create his own wine. Choosing amongst the best wines he has made, he creates a blended Rhône with different vintages, and different appellations. His ideal wine, easy to understand, modern, powerful and a great value for money, 100% Xavier was born.
As this outstanding « non vintage table wine » meets a big success Xavier adds a complete range of prestigious Appellations, still selecting and buying the best wines of the greatest domaines he knows perfectly. In 2006, Importers from the UK, Australia, Canada, and Scandinavia order almost 100,000 bottles.
As Xavier Vignon wishes to keep his main work, which is to manage his laboratory, he associates with two partners in 2007, in order to be able to develop his "Xavier wines".
Dominique Piron Morgon Cote du Py is made from 100 percent Gamay.
The Morgon Cru is based in the heart of Northern Beaujolais. Côte du Py is the heart of Morgon, a little hill of very old blue stone rocks - the oldest soils of Beaujolais (around 430 millions years old), with a typical blue color.
Côte du Py has been known for centuries for being the best terroir of the village, producing long lived wines with strong structure and flavors.
Wines of the Côte du Py are very dark, profound and dense. Classic aromas of red berries, cherry, kirsh. Fruity, structured and mineral in the mouth with graphite flavors and spicy notes of black and white pepper. Wine can age up to 10 years.
Hand picked grapes are sorted manually and destemmed for 50 to 70%. Fermentation starts in concrete tanks and lasts for 18-25 days with remontages and pigeages. Then after pressurage starts the aging, for 2/3 in concrete tanks, and 1/3 in recent French oak barrels with batonages on fine lies only. After 10 month we do the blending, keeping only the best cuvees and best barrels, and do the bottling.
Pairs well with red meat like beef, duck and game (Hare, Dear, Wild Pork,…), cheses.
A deep and rich hue of golden straw gives the first clue that this is a serious Chardonnay. Aromas of pear, green apple, and lime peel jump out of the glass followed by more nuanced fragrances of orange blossom, ginger root, and brioche. The sensation on the palate casually demonstrates both broad depth and laser like focus. An assertive core of acid and saline minerality rests completely ensconced in rich flavors of pie crust, clotted cream, and burnt caramel. Drink now for fresh vibrance, or in ten years for wild complexity. This wine is a perfect white to be enjoyed year-round.
Review:
The 2021 MFN Blanc Chardonnay is very ripe in style with scents of banana chip, apple pie, jasmine, allspice and brown sugar. The full-bodied palate is packed with ripe, spicy fruits and plenty of refreshing acidity, and it finishes long with a satiny, mouth-coating texture. It's an old-school style reminiscent of Napa that fans of ripe, oaked Chardonnays will enjoy.
-Robert Parker 97 Points
Alain Jaume Cairanne Les Travees is made from 65% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre.
Our selected vines for this cuvée are on slopes facing south.
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The wine delivers an intensive nose, with loads of black fruits.
Starting full and concentrated, with silky tannins, the mouth reveals blackcurrant and a cherry fruit typicity.
It finishes with typical notes of pepper and earth.
Enjoy with roasted lamb or braised or BBQed pork. gpoes also very well with mild cheese, such as brie or camenbert.
Chateau Mazane Vacqueyras Rouge is made from 60% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre.
30% aged in oak, 70% in concrete vats
This 50 year old single vineyard (22 Acres) consists of three main varieties with a predominance of Grenache. It stretches over the 'Garrigues' (scrubland) plateau that is ideally located between the Ouvèze (tributary of the Rhone river) terraces and the Dentelles de Montmirail.
Chateau Mazane Vacqueyras Rouge is medium-bodied, pure and elegant. It offers plenty of plum, blueberry, spring flowers and peppery notes. On the palate, the richness of the tannins harmonizes with the smoothiness of the wine. The finish is long, with spice aromas and licorice. Beautifully textured, enjoy it over the coming 6-7 years.
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Grand Veneur Cotes Du Rhone Blanc is made from 50% Viognier, 30% Clairette, 20% Roussanne.
Pale yellow colour, brilliant with a gold tinge. Primary aroma of flowers and stone fruit. On the palate, the fruit is immediately present with touches of almond and white peach. A slight liveliness appears in the finish, which creates a perfect balance for the natural generosity of this wine.
To consume young in order to preserve the fruitness typicity. Could age 2-3 years
Direct press, fermentation in temperature controlled stainless-steel vats. Early bottling 6 months after harvest.
Excellent with fish, seafood.
Maurice Martin Macon-Villages is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.
White gold color with silver or greenish reflections , shiny and soft. Aromas suggest broom, acacia, green apple, lemongrass, citruses. A fresh, dry and fruity, nervous with a good balance.
The grapes for this wine is coming from 3 famous part of the Maconnais' region: Chaintré, Pierreclos and Ozenay.
The wine went through malolactic fermentation. It has been gently filtered before bottling.
Very easy to associate with his very complete balance : grilled fish, creamy risottos, antipasti, salads, sushis, very pleasant at the aperitif.
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:
"The spicy nose with a slew of red-fruit aromas pulls you into this full-bodied but lively and very well-balanced Cote-du-Rhone. Lovely, creamy texture that’s neatly supported by fine tannins. Long, supple finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold."
- James Suckling (March 2022), 92 pts
Xavier Vignon Cotes du Rhone Rouge Vieilles Vignes is made from 70% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre and 15% Syrah
Grenaches are almost hundred years old, Mourvèdres more than 60 years old and Syrahs are 45 years old in average.
There's a spicy, green peppercorn edge to the Cotes du Rhone Vieilles Vignes. It's medium to full-bodied, with svelte, supple tannins and plenty of plummy fruit that exhibits more savory notes and spice on the long finish.
Review:
"The deep black-cherry and ripe-blackberry fruit, plus the full, soft body push this to the edge of sweetness on the palate. However, the gentle dry tannins at the velvety finish just keep it on track. A style that now seems a bit dated, but plenty of wine drinkers love this. Drink now."
- James Suckling (March 2022), 90 pts
Xavier Vignon Extra white Côtes-du-Rhône NV is 40% Clairette, 30% Grenache Blanc, 20% Roussanne and 10% Picpoul.
Traditional vinification. A very long fermentation lasting several months (6 to 8 months) to allow the yeasts to release more aromatic compounds, followed by immersion in Vinarium®.
Aged in Vinarium® for 24 months: a truncated wooden vat designed to hold and immerse 5 barrels. In this way, the CO2 produced by the Intra becomes the natural preservative for the Extra.
Pale and clear yellow.
Subtly oaked with hints of toasted bread, notes of honey mixed with pear.
Fresh and lively attack, well-balanced acidity and long lemony finish on the palate.
Pairs well with fresh cheese., sushi and pesto pastas.
Xavier Vignon Almutia Clair-Obscur Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc is 40% Grenache Noir, 25% Mouvedre, 10% Roussane, 10% Grenache gris, 10% Grenache blanc & 5% Syrah.
Worn in the Middle Ages, an Aumuce was a purple cap that served as a cloak for clergymen as a way of concealing their whiteness, just as the black skin of the grape conceals its white juices. In Latin, this cape is called en Almutia. A blend of black and white grape varieties.
Almutia is the definition of vivacity, liveliness, expressed through the pulp of mainly black grape varieties. The multi-vintage approach has been choosen to bring complexity to the wine.
Pale yellow and translucent with tangy notes of apple and pear on the nose. The palate is lively and ample, revealing aromas of citrus and honeysuckle.
The grapes were harvested early, in mid-August, i.e. one month before the harvest intended for the production of red wines.
The grapes are then destemmed and crushed, then placed in vats for draining followed by settling for severals days to sediment the pigments.
Fermentation in stainless steel tanks
No ageing in wood and no stirring of the lees to maintain the perfect level of acidity.
Pairs best with scallop or lobter risotto, soft cheeses & truffle.
Xavier Vignon Chateauneuf du Pape XV Rouge is made from 50% Grenache, 45% Mourvèdre and 5% Syrah. From 100 year old vines.
It shows a bit of toasty oak up front but balances that with ample black cherry fruit and soft, dusty tannins. Long and harmonious on the finish, it should drink well on release in 2019 and for a decade or more after that.
Pairs with beef with mustard sauce - Pork tenderloin with winter vegetables - Roasted duck - Malaysian pork chop and spice tea.
Review:
"A lovely example of what one of the Rhone Valley's top appellations is capable of producing. A bright saturated purple in the glass, the nose and palate are highlighted by berry and cherry fruit, with hints of spice. The palate reflects the nose, with warmth and spice, in addition to the exquisite red fruit."
- Beverage Dynamics (Spring 2024), 95 pts
• 100% pure Sauvignon Blanc, crafted from grapes grown in the most notable and warmer regions of California’s coastal hills. Each block contributes a distinct element to the blend, resulting in a layered and complex style.
• The harvest dates were determined by physiological maturity, which varied widely in the 2023 vintage due to the wet winter leading to a cool summer. Nevertheless, the extended hang time reduced grapes with low sugar, firm acid, minimal pyrazines, and intense flavor expressions.
• Upon arrival at the winery, the whole clusters underwent a gentle pressing, and the juice underwent a cold settling process for two days. Subsequently, it was racked off the heavy lees into stainless steel tanks, where it underwent a chill fermentation with native yeast – which contributed to the balanced mouthfeel, set against a backdrop of minerality and acidity.
• Following fermentation, the wines remained in tank, with the lees being stirred weekly for nearly four months before the final blend was assembled. No malolactic fermentation was allowed, preserving the vibrant fruit and floral notes, alongside the natural tension characteristics of this blend.
Color:
Medium yellow straw hue.
Aroma:
Asian pear, honeysuckle, passionfruit,
green melon, and a citrus bouquet.
Palate:
Refreshing stone fruit, grapefruit, and tropical flower. This wine has a well-balanced mouthfeel with bright and lively acidity.
Food Pairing:
Oysters on the half shell with mignonette sauce,
niçoise salad, a blue cheese pear tart and crab cakes.
Obsidian Vineyard Syrah is bathed in terroir. The vines experience severe stress, pushing the roots ever deeper through rock in search of water, producing miniature clusters of intense power. Given the wine’s natural propensity for tannin, we take extreme care in the cellar to chisel/whittle its rough edges and leave room for richness to flatter its distinctive scaffold. The mid-palate supports flavors of roasted coffee beans, sarsaparilla, and dark chocolate. The finish marches on long after most wines have tired.
Our estate vineyard — the six-acre Obsidian Vineyard in the Knights Valley AVA — has an incredibly complex soil structure. It takes its name from a layer of volcanic obsidian rock that was discovered when we drilled for water.
Chocolate ganache, black currants, fig, graphite, and an expansive mouthfeel.
Review:
"Joe Donelan believes his Obsidian Vineyard is one of the world’s greatest sites for Syrah. I’ve visited the site twice, and can say candidly it certainly sits among the most striking vineyards I've ever laid eyes on within the U.S. It sits like a rock on a promontory—two switchbacks to reach the top—and the stones under the top soil, quite literally, never stop emerging from the ground. The place has an ancient, almost sacred, temple-like feel. It is consistently swept by afternoon breezes. The vineyard was replanted in 2017 after fires ravaged it. Winemaker David Milner laid out the site at denser spacing than before, at 2,000 vines per acre to keep yields per vine low while still achieving sensible tonnage, averaging around three tonnes per acre. Viognier was planted for co-fermentations, alongside some Cabernet Sauvignon, for a single vineyard bottling of that grape. ‘God put on his viticultural hat when he designed this site,’ says Milner. The vineyard is planted with ENTA 174, 877, and Alban 1 clones, along with Donelan Heritage selections certified virus-free. The wine, the 2023 vintage release (the first from the new vines), was aged for 21 months in 36% new oak and co-fermented with 1.8% Viognier, using 32% whole clusters. And it is positively gorgeous: composed of nine different blocks, each fermented separately, then assembled through sequential blending, with no racking until bottling. From just five-year-old vines, this wine is utterly extraordinary—something oddly achievable from young vines on rare occasion. I tasted this wine from the same bottle over three days. While the high-toned espresso-bean and cedar accents are present at first pull of the cork, they mellow out a day later, and the fruit profile is so vibrant. This is the sign of an excellent wine. I first tasted wines from the Donelan’s Obsidian Vineyard years ago at Tasting Panel Magazine in the late, great Anthony Dias Blue’s office. Cushing Donelan showed the wines, and to this day, I recall the first moment I put my nose into a glass of Obsidian Syrah. In early January of 2026, as I nosed this brand new release of Obsidian Syrah, I was transported straight back to that tasting twelve years ago. What’s remarkable is that the aromatics are unmistakably the same, yet from these new, more densely planted vines, the aromas are more refined—precision-farmed wines from young vines delivering a level of detail and poise that feels beyond their years. So what’s in the glass? Pure red, black, and blue fruit nuances layered with tobacco, white truffle character, violet pastille, and an intoxicating perfume. White pepper notes emerge on the medium- to full-bodied palate, framed by velvety tannins. Iron-like and crushed slate minerality underpins dazzling black cherry and blackberry fruit, brown spices, and blood orange richness. There’s a velvety, iron-fist quality here that exudes polish, complexity, and undeniable quality. You want to drink it now—and you absolutely can—but it will also reward time in the cellar. Either way, you’ll be utterly wowed. And when you realise the price is under £100, the achievement becomes even more staggering. As these vines mature, what will become of them in subsequent vintages? I suspect that as the vines mature, they'll go in and out of phases, but so long as Mother Nature cooperates, I expect this wine to continue to dazzle each vintage. - Jonathan CRISTALDI"
Decanter (January 5th 2026), 100 points
This is the first vintage of the Obsidian Syrah after wildfires torched the vineyard in 2017, leading to significant redevelopment. Throughout all those years, the Donelans have exhibited remarkable patience and a clear sense of purpose. This is their reward: a truly magnificent, towering wine of the highest level.
Knights Valley is one of the most magical grape-growing districts in the United States, but it is not very well known because only a few estate wineries are located there.
The 2023 Syria Obsidian Estate is one of the most profound, moving wines I have tasted in Sonoma County. Blackberry, gravel, incense, chocolate, lavender, and dried herbs race out of the glass. Delicate yet powerful, the 2023 is spectacular. It is also very fairly priced in today’s market.
Vinous 100 Points