2015 Rhône

Of the 13 plots which make up this wine, the key ones are Beaurenard in the north-west, Charbonnière on the central Crau plateau and Gallimardes in the south... in other words, this has a richly diverse provenance. The blend is 80 percent Grenache, 10 percent Mourvèdre, seven percent Syrah and three percent Cinsault. The wine displays classic aromas of thyme, sous-bois and macerated plum and an equally classic palate, which is long and unnervingly complex. Drink 2020-2028. 
Simon Field MW - Wine Buyer

The forebears of sisters Sophie and Catherine Armenier have been making superb wines since 1344 it seems, maybe modifying their techniques a little along the way, but not too much. Biodynamic in all but the letter, they are based close to Beaucastel, but their plots, albeit more modest in total surface area, are more widely spaced over the appellation, with the most significant holdings in the areas around Courthézon and on the central Crau plateau. Low yields are key to the exceptional quality of the wines.

Eponymous slopes, suitably adroit, from the near homophone lieu-dit, Les Chailles, host one of Alain’s most sublime pieces of work. Syrah is seldom as expressive in youth, and after only a little time in glass it will cede a cornucopia of woodland magic. Oak plays its part, but discretely, diplomatically, as the fruit rejoins an almost painfully eloquent soliloquy. Drink 2022-2030+.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer

Pierre’s purple rose comes not from Cairo, rather from the fruits of old vines on the Côte Brune in the Rozier enclave, which is located behind La Landonne, just to the north of the town of Ampuis. Deep of colour, almost episcopal, appropriately enough, the wine is reserved and restrained at the moment, especially on the nose. In the mouth, however, sheer ripeness and concentration take the lead, held in check only by the firm, stentorian tannins at the back. Drink 2022-2028.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer

Until 21st January this product is discounted by a further 10 percent to 30 percent. Price shown includes saving.*
One of the most successfully modern manifestations of the potential of this great village, Cuvée des Cadettes is not made every year, but in 2015 it was felt that the ripe and generous fruit would be well suited to new oak. And so it has proved. Architecturally robust, elegantly decorated, this is a powerhouse that will repay lengthy cellaring. Drink 2022-2030+.
Simon Field MW - Wine Buyer

The grandest of all the properties in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and the one closest to actually having a castle, La Nerthe is a virtually contiguous vineyard, with 90 hectares of calcareous and sandy soils located just to the east of the village. With each new vintage they enhance their reputation as one of the leading “classically modern” estates in the region.

*Discount is already applied to the single-bottle price and no further discount will be applied at checkout. 

This is one of the great wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The old vines in question are located over four different plots and four different soil types. Sand, clay, galet and limestone all work together, with over 40 percent of the vines predating 1940. Beguilingly simple winemaking (concrete tank and foudre) does not get in the way of inherent complexity. Christophe waxes lyrical for some time and then, with a gentle smile, suggests accompanying this wine with jugged hare in 12 years’ time. Quite right. Drink 2022-2030+.
Simon Field MW - Wine Buyer

The brother and sister team of Christophe and Isabelle Sabon continue to work wonders at Janasse. They farm 80 hectares of vineyards spread over a number of wine appellations: Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which is all located in the north-east of the appellation in the commune of Courthézon, Côtes du Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages, but also Vin de Pays de la Principauté d'Orange and Vin de Table. Concrete tanks are used for the Grenache and oak for the Syrah and Mourvèdre; in other words, everything is fairly traditional. Isabelle Sabon compares the 2015 to 2005 and 2010. Its tannic profile sits somewhere in the middle, as, possibly, does its quality. For all that, they are three outstanding vintages.

For Emmanuel, 2015 was a relatively dry year – unusual in the sense that his vineyards are in Roche le Glun and therefore fairly near to the river. The sécheresse is not evidenced in the finished article, however. The low yields and coaxing alchemy of a gentle but persuasive extraction have ensured harmony; plenty of plummy, damson weight; fine, upstanding, youthful tannins; and signature aromatics of tapenade and Indian spice. This one will harmonise very agreeably over the short to medium term. Drink 2018-2023.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer

Marc Perrin likes to characterise Coudoulet as a happy battle between the “fireworks” of the Grenache and the more restrained and “lean” Syrah. Lean in a positive sense, of course. To this, however, must be added 30 percent of Mourvèdre (the same percentage as the Grenache) and 20 percent of Cinsault (the same amount as the Syrah). Mourvèdre adds spice and depth, while Cinsault delivers a gentle feminine charm. Indeed, almost paradoxically, given the generosity of the vintage, the wine is less fleshy and opulent at this early stage. To me it recalls 2010 in its authority and linear personality, both more than favourable precursors. Drink 2017-2025.
Simon Field MW - Wine Buyer

The Perrins are far from equivocal in outlining their aspirations in the Southern Rhône; they wish to match the undisputed primacy of their Beaucastel estate with hegemony of classic vineyards to demonstrate the best characteristics of the best villages: Voltaire without Pangloss. Nurturing and guiding as appropriate, they have rapidly built up an enviable portfolio which has gone virtually all the way to the realisation of this ambition. Their attention has been focused especially on the villages of Vinsobres and Gigondas, both of which share altitude and aspect to suit the subtly changing climate in the region.

The 2015 is a classic blend of 65 percent Grenache, 15 percent of both Mourvèdre and Syrah, plus five percent of a somewhat anonymous combination from the remainder of the appellation’s generous palette. It is immediately charming, with a perfume of garrigue and laurel, forest floor and eastern spice. The palate underlines the generosity of the vintage, with a lively black fruit charisma held in check by balancing natural acidity and ripe yet finely etched tannins. Symphonic in scope and ageing potential, this is an outstanding Vieux Télégraphe in every way and will sit proudly with all of its most prestigious forbears. Drink 2022-2030+.
Simon Field MW- Wine Buyer

Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe is one of the most renowned estates of the Southern Rhône, with around 45 hectares of vines, and an average vine age of 55 years. Blessed with one of the finest locations in the area, the particularly hot microclimate is such that the Bruniers, owners of the estate for almost a century, are able to harvest as much as a week ahead of their neighbours. Vieux Télégraphe's blend is a typical one, with Grenache accounting for around two thirds, while the rest is made up of Syrah and Mourvèdre in roughly equal proportions, plus a tiny bit of Cinsault. The Bruniers also run a radically different property in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, named Piedlong, and a very attractive property in the hills of Gigondas, Domaine les Pallières.

From vines of over 50 years of age, the Rocoules Blanc is made up of 90 percent Marsanne and 10 percent Roussanne, vinified traditionally and aged patiently for 18 months in old wood. The 2015 was harvested quite early (4th/5th September) and has attractive aromas that are chalky going on floral, citric going on honeyed – complex, in other words. From the deep colour to the long finish, one cannot fail but to be impressed by the profundity here. As with all great white Hermitage it will go to sleep in a couple of years and re-emerge, resplendent, four or five years later. Drink 2022-2028+
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer

Marc is pleased by both volume and quality in 2015. Thirty-five hl/hr is quite a crop in the parsimonious Sorrel canon, but in no way undermines the exuberant red-berried fruit character of this example. Beyond the summer pudding flavours there is a silky lift here; Ariel dancing in the woods. Drink 2022-2028.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer

The famous neologism which marries the Greffieux and Meal sites also weds elegance and complexity, the wine-trade’s favourite descriptors. They are far from mis-placed here; the 2015 has 10% of Marsanne added to lend a certain feminine charm to an otherwise imperiously robust wine, a wine that will open up over the next decade or so. M Sorrel, for whatever reason, describes the appearance of this wine in terms of ‘Chinese ink’. I shall ask for elucidation on my next visit. 
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer

A few mores stems than usual have been turned over in the famous roto-fermenters; and yet the inherent quality of the fruit is such that the wine is already rich and fleshy with a superb tannic definition. Sourced from 11 lieux-dits, ranging from Tupins in the south to La Viallière in the north, the wine is aged in a combination of barrique and demi-muid, none of it new. Beyond the power one detects the floral elegance for which this village is so famous, and a generous red-fruit personality, backed up by soft spice and finely etched tannins. Drink 2019-2026.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer

Granit 30 is an appropriate name, describing, as it does, both the soil and the gradient of the Parisian vineyard. Vincent’s wines are marked by both their perfume and their purity, and this is a very fine example. The wine boasts aromatics of violets, liquorice and garrigue; followed by a weighty palate, with herbs, dark chocolate and a fruit character of dark cherry and myrtle. Drink 2020-2028.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer