Rhône 2017: the South
The warmth of the vintage means the wines ooze generosity, but they are nevertheless remarkably balanced, with a delicious vibrancy. Coulure (flower drop) restricted yields, with the proportion of Grenache lower and the resulting wines offering firm tannins and spicy, juicy dark fruit.
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Bottle 12 x 75cl 3cs
£150.00
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Chateau de Beaucastel,
For laying down,
This has an absolutely delightful, revealing nose with fresh red and black berries, blackcurrants and fleshy cherries, with fragrant notes of rose and smoke. Cracked black pepper evokes memories of peppered salami with its umami and savoury depth. This bold Beaucastel is clearly built for the long haul, with a long, deep finish of white-pepper spice.
Alice Brandon – Private Account Manager, autumn 2018
Alice Brandon – Private Account Manager, autumn 2018
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Bottle 6 x 75cl 29cs
£240.00
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Domaine Des Saumades,
For laying down,
This is an assemblage of Grenache Blanc, Clairette Blanc and Bourboulien. Quince, honey and orange blossom aromatics are generously supported by toasted almonds and savoury spice. The wine has a waxy, glycerol palate with a breadth and density that is refreshed by a zesty core. Drink now to 2025.
Fiona Hayes, Rhône Buyer
Fiona Hayes, Rhône Buyer
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Bottle 12 x 75cl 14cs
£264.00
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Domaine Des Saumades,
For laying down,
This has a dark fruit profile of blackberry compôte and plums. Purple fruits open up rather dramatically in the glass, revealing wild strawberries and a redberry perfume. Energetic, fresh acidity combined with fine-grained tannins and a silky texture mean this Châteauneuf-du-Pape is one of the more easily accessible in youth, but its structure and layers of complexity foretell its ageability. Drink now to 2028.
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Bottle 12 x 75cl 38cs
£264.00
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Domaine de Marcoux,
For laying down,
This cuvée shows much promise. The blend includes just under 80% Grenache which is sourced from 13 plots across the appellation, but centred around the prized La Crau commune. This vintage is rich in bright red and black fruit, with plenty of signature sweet spice, building to a savoury olive and black pepper finish. The oak use is minimal which allows full focus on the top-quality fruit. This generous wine is both full of fruit and serious, with a long future ahead of it. Drink 2021-2040.
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Bottle 6 x 75cl 258cs
£180.00
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Magnum 3 x 150cl 25cs
£198.00
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Domaine de Marcoux,
For laying down,
Marcoux’s top cuvée is made from just two plots, where some of the vines are over 100 years old. There is 90% Grenache here, giving the wine a rich spicy nose, with oodles of black fruit and garrigue notes. On the palate, it shows great harmony and elegance. There is plenty of cool fruit to balance the plentiful but fine tannins which melt on the tongue. The finish is typically complex and lengthy. Drink 2022-2042.
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Bottle 6 x 75cl 8cs
£462.00
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Domaine de Marcoux,
Ready, but will keep,
A charming nose of bright cherry and blackberry fruit benefits from a hint of thyme. The palate is juicy, with more fleshy cherry fruit and a hint of spice from the 50% barrel-maturation. The finish has good freshness and very fine tannins, in keeping with the vintage. Drink now to 2022
Oliver Barton, Buyer Assistant
Oliver Barton, Buyer Assistant
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Bottle 6 x 75cl 176cs
£63.00
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Bottle 6 x 75cl 175cs
£108.00
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Château La Nerthe,
For laying down,
Coming from 80-year-old vines, in three of the oldest plots owned by the domaine, this cuvee consists of Grenache (50%), Syrah (30%) and Mourvèdre (20%). Cherry liqueur, redcurrants and juicy red plum notes are supported by savoury, meaty notes, giving the wine a dense core, as well as breadth on the palate. The chalky tannins give a layer of complexity as well as balance and the finish continues for some time. Drink 2021-2035.
Fiona Hayes, Rhône Buyer
Fiona Hayes, Rhône Buyer
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Bottle 6 x 75cl 190cs
£402.00
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Domaine Raymond Usseglio,
For laying down,
Fruit from over 100-year-old vines explains the concentration and intensity of this wine, with flowers and fresh cherries. Hints of bramble fruit and a juicy core provide a generosity and richness that can be attributed to the vintage and the sheer class of the fruit. The lack of oak used throughout the vinification allows the well-defined fruit and the high-quality, chalky but well-managed tannins to express themselves. Drink 2021-2038.
Fiona Hayes, Rhône Buyer
Fiona Hayes, Rhône Buyer
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Bottle 6 x 75cl 232cs
£207.00
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Château La Nerthe,
Ready, but will keep,
Grenache Blanc makes up 40% of the blend this year, compared to only 24% in 2016, giving the wine an attractive liquorice and dill note. Roussanne (38%), Clairette Blanc (18%) and Bourboulenc make up the balance. La Nerthe’s practice of blocking malolactic on the whites often gives them a lift of acidity, although this was less of an issue in 2018 with its cooler weather. The resulting wine is very saline on the attack, with pineapple and white peach aromas. Drink now to 2025.
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Bottle 6 x 75cl 10cs
£156.00
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Château La Nerthe,
For laying down,
Syrah takes the leading role this year, accounting for 36% of the assemblage, with a third each of Grenache and Mourvèdre, and Cinsault completing the blend. Ralph’s strong connection to Syrah from his Jaboulet tenure has meant that this is one of the stronger wines of the vintage with real complexity and energy. A graphite core is combined with purple fruit and liquorice spice, while the generosity of the vintage comes through with a juicy breadth on the midpalate. Drink 2020-2032.
Fiona Hayes, Rhône Buyer
Fiona Hayes, Rhône Buyer
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Bottle 6 x 75cl 113cs
£168.00
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Domaine Raymond Usseglio,
Ready, but will improve,
This 100% Roussanne fermented in barrel is quite frankly rather delicious. As you would expect from this luxurious vintage, this wine certainly isn’t shy, with a weightiness derived from its waxy texture. Ripe stone-fruit combined with notes of honey provide an enjoyable contrast with its bright acidity and herbal top note. Drink now to 2029.
Fiona Hayes, Rhône Buyer
Fiona Hayes, Rhône Buyer
En Primeur
Bottle 6 x 75cl 122cs
£198.00
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Domaine Raymond Usseglio,
For laying down,
This Mourvèdre-dominated blend (70%) is Stéphane’s most exuberant wine – and unashamedly so. It is dark and brooding, with the garrigue, black olive and meaty core lifted by some violet spice. The vanilla and robust tannin structure are symptoms of the oak maturation, but within a couple of years these will mellow graciously. Drink 2021-2038.
Fiona Hayes, Rhône Buyer
Fiona Hayes, Rhône Buyer
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Bottle 6 x 75cl 78cs
£198.00
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Domaine de la Janasse,
For laying down,
This is another great wine from Roger’s oldest vines, which are centred around two plots of sandy and gravel soils. The nose is opulent with ripe bramble fruit and a lovely allspice note. Round on the palate, it is generous and showy with layers of red and black fruit, thyme and rosemary. Silky, ripe tannins promise a long future. Drink 2022-2035.
Oliver Barton, Buyer Assistant
Oliver Barton, Buyer Assistant
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Bottle 6 x 75cl 159cs
£330.00
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Domaine la Cabotte,
Ready, but will keep,
The nose of this wine is very pure, with cool dark berry fruit aromas with plenty of garrigue. The palate reveals more concentrated blackberry flavours complemented by fresh rosemary and thyme. The abundant tannins are well-managed, fine and ripe, framed by Cabotte’s signature elegant acidity which makes its wines both refined and digeste. This is one for the dinner table. Drink now to 2023.
Oliver Barton, Buyer Assistant
Oliver Barton, Buyer Assistant
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Bottle 12 x 75cl 45cs
£90.00
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Domaine des Senechaux,
For laying down,
There is slightly more Roussanne in the blend this year, with roughly a third Roussanne, Clairette and Grenache Blanc, along with a small percentage of Bourboulenc. Floral acacia aromas with peach, pear and orange blossom are supported by sweet spice and exotic fruits. The richness and glycerol texture is in balance with the refreshing acidity and zesty palate. Drink now to 2023.
Fiona Hayes, Rhône Buyer
Fiona Hayes, Rhône Buyer
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Bottle 6 x 75cl 31cs
£120.00
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Domaine de l'Oratoire Saint Martin,
Ready, but will improve,
This comes from a single plot of 50-year-old vines on argile-calcaire soils. The blend this year – 70% Mourvèdre and 30% Grenache – completely changes the essence of this wine (which was 60% Grenache in 2016) The Mourvèdre delivers a darker profile with much more spice, liquorice and dark chocolate. A grippier, earthier core and tannin profile is softened by the floral lift and softness of Grenache. Drink now to 2024.
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Bottle 12 x 75cl 38cs
£156.00
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Domaine de la Janasse,
For laying down,
Inspired by the more traditional style of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this cuvee is pure Grenache sourced from the lieux-dits of La Janasse and Chaupouin at the northern tip of the appellation. One-third whole-bunch is used here and translates to a very dark, dense fruit character and firm tannins which will benefit from some bottle-age. The fruit leads on to subtle spices, a fine line of acidity and a pure mineral note on the finish. Drink 2022-2032.
Oliver Barton, Buyer Assistant
Oliver Barton, Buyer Assistant
En Primeur
Bottle 6 x 75cl 373cs
£240.00
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La Bastide St. Vincent,
Ready, but will keep,
Laurent has increased his vineyard holdings in Vacqueyras by 1.5 hectares. The eight-hectare total, spread over several parcels, makes up this blend of Grenache (65%), Mourvèdre (20%) and Syrah (15%). Dark plum and red cherry notes take on a supporting role in relation to a dominant herbal character, with hints of lavender. The rich and concentrated core is balanced by juicy acidity and firm, powdery tannins. Drink now to 2023.
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Bottle 12 x 75cl 282cs
£102.00
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Domaine des Senechaux,
For laying down,
The Grenache (47%) gives aromas of raspberry, cherry and sweet spice, with Syrah (32%), Mourvèdre (19%) and Cinsault (2%) all contributing to this year’s assemblage. The juiciness of the vintage is apparent, and the wine demonstrates a recognisable polish that has really emphasised its quality over the last couple of vintages. Drink now to 2024.
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Bottle 6 x 75cl 67cs
£129.00
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Domaine la Cabotte,
Ready, but will keep,
This unique cuvee is made entirely from Clairette, spending 10 months in old oak barrels – not to impart oak flavours, but rather to allow micro-oxygenation which stabilises the wine and allows it to develop additional complexity. The resulting wine has a very mineral nose, with herbs and a hint of camomile. The palate starts gently with more mineral notes, but builds to very pure stone and citrus fruit notes, all in balance with the crisp acidity. Drink now to 2022.
Oliver Barton, Buyer Assistant
Oliver Barton, Buyer Assistant
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Bottle 12 x 75cl 16cs
£108.00
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La Bastide St. Vincent,
Ready, but will improve,
This is a wonderful example of what good-value Gigondas can offer. The intensity of aromatics with liquorice, kirsch, rosemary and thyme is inviting and persists on the finish. While the fruit concentration is powerful, there is a touch of sweetness and spice on the mid-palate, the tannins powdery and firm, providing balance and focus. Drink now to 2024.
Fiona Hayes, Rhône Buyer
Fiona Hayes, Rhône Buyer
En Primeur
Bottle 12 x 75cl 211cs
£126.00
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Domaine de la Janasse,
For laying down,
True to Sabon’s generous, ripe style, this cuvee is a blend of 60% Grenache, with the remainder split between Syrah and Mourvèdre. The nose is generous with spice and herbs, while the palate is equally rich and fruit-forward. Full-bodied, the tannins are quite polished and will provide some grip in the wine’s youth. The finish is filled with yet another layer of dark fruit which lingers on the tongue. Drink 2021-2027.
Oliver Barton, Buyer Assistant
Oliver Barton, Buyer Assistant
En Primeur
Bottle 12 x 75cl 134cs
£306.00
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Domaine de l'Oratoire Saint Martin,
Ready, but will improve,
The Réserve des Seigneurs has significantly less Grenache this year (40%), with a higher proportion of Mourvèdre (40%) and Syrah (20%) compared to the 2016. This has not been detrimental to this delicious cuvee, however, with opulent layers of pepper, violet and black fruit combined with liquorice spice. A luxurious, silky texture is complemented by fine-grained, powdery tannins and brisk acidity. Drink now to 2025.
Fiona Hayes, Rhône Buyer
Fiona Hayes, Rhône Buyer
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Bottle 6 x 75cl 188cs
£54.00
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Domaine de la Janasse,
Ready, but will improve,
The fruit for this cuvee comes from just north of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with equal measures of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, as well as a small portion of Carignan. Christophe Sabon’s top-quality winemaking really pays off here, giving a cuvee that is generous with black fruit and liquorice, fine but firm tannins and a lovely fresh finish. Drink now to 2021.
Oliver Barton, Buyer Assistant
Oliver Barton, Buyer Assistant
En Primeur
Bottle 12 x 75cl 241cs
£144.00
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Domaine des Escaravailles,
Ready, but will keep,
The vines’ reasonably high-altitude location preserves the grapes’ freshness for this powerful Rasteau. The Grenache is unoaked, but the Syrah sees a little wood, adding a layer of complexity. The palate displays powerful blackberry fruit and a hint of lavender. The tannins are abundant but very fine, with a nice floral lift on the finish. Drink now to 2025.
Oliver Barton, Buyer Assistant
Oliver Barton, Buyer Assistant
En Primeur
Bottle 12 x 75cl 20cs
£114.00
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Domaine des Escaravailles,
Ready, but will keep,
The Carignan here is harvested with the Syrah and Grenache. The grapes are all de-stemmed and co-fermented. The nose offers really pretty red-berry fruit alongside a meaty note. On the palate, there is more of Escaravailles’s trademark earthy fruit notes, with firm medium tannins and a supple mineral finish. Drink now to 2025.
En Primeur
Bottle 6 x 75cl 91cs
£51.00
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Bottle 12 x 75cl 19cs
£60.00
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Remi Pouizin,
Ready, but will keep,
A blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Mourvèdre, this wine is back in 2017 – not having been made in 2016 due to poor flowering. It offers a complex blend of wild strawberries, red cherries and sweet-spice undertones. There is a density and concentration to the nose, neatly balanced by a silky texture and chalky, firm tannins. Drink now to 2026.
Fiona Hayes, Rhône Buyer
Fiona Hayes, Rhône Buyer
En Primeur
Bottle 12 x 75cl 81cs
£96.00
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Fiona Hayes, Rhône Buyer