2015 Rhône

This is another outstanding white Rhône blend from our good friends, les famille Perrin. Clean and fresh, it evokes stone fruit with a hint of honey. A great accompaniment for fish dishes or summer salads.
Simon Field MW, Berry Bros. & Rudd

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

What a delightful nose, gushing summer fruits and floral notes fill the glass. I was hoping to mention Suzi Quatro or Bonnie Raitt in my note, but it’s altogether much more elegant and refined than either lady’s reputation, lots going on, on the palate, hints of salinity meld with the ubiquitous raspberry and strawberry notes, perhaps a hint of rhubarb in there as well? Very impressive, long and sophisticated, dry but with perfect balance. My wife’s taking me to see Toyah play an acoustic set in a few weeks’ time, for my birthday, I hope her performance is as graceful and polished as this Rock Angel’s.
Chris Pollington - Private Account Manager

Garrus, Ch. D’Esclan’s top cuvee, is a serious Rose wine which delivers great complexity and concentration from vines averaging 80 years of age. Pale salmon in colour with an onion skin hue, aromas of wild strawberry, fennel and raspberry leaf mingle with a savoury undertone. A lovely freshness runs across the palate, offset by a gentle creamy texture derived through oak treatment. Concentrated throughout, detailled wild red fruit flavours sit on the mid-palate amidst a gentle spiciness and herbal character. Finishing with profound tension and balance, the 2015 Garrus is testament to the quality of this estate, to be enjoyed from 2017 – 2019.
Chris Lamb - Private Account Manager, March 2017

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.