2016 Rhône
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Ready, but will improve,
Domaine Coursodon has long been one of the leading St Joseph wine estates. The youthful, intelligent Jérôme Coursodon is keen to emphasise the individuality and personality of this appellation, which is credited with producing Syrah that approaches Pinot Noir in its silky texture and refinement.
Boasting a wealth of silky red and black fruits, this wine is poised and perfumed. Underlying spice and notes of sousbois perfectly complement its structure. Drink now to 2023.
Domaine Dumien-Serrette,
Ready, but will improve,
Nicolas destemmed half the crop in 2016 and selected carefully, attentive to the possible impact of prolonged spring rainfall. Yields were reduced therefore, but there was no hail and no frost. Dense and dark, the wine has a hint of the sauvage behind the fruit, an edge which will guarantee the potential for lengthy cellaring and a fascinating evolution, at the culmination of which it should be relished with a game bird. Drink 2020-2025.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer
For laying down,
Thirteen plots, with a concentration on the famous
Crau plateau, have gifted this blend which is made up
of 80 percent Grenache, 10 percent Mourvèdre, seven
percent Syrah and three percent Cinsault. Gentle
extraction after a modest cold soak has been followed
by eighteen months ageing, shared between vat and
350 litre casks, none of which are new. Benchmark
Châteauneuf aromas of black olive and the scrub cede
to a dark and savoury palate, hugely textured and
with layers of potential. The 2016 calling cards of pure
acidity and elegant tannins are both present and the
finish is imperious. Drink 2020-2028.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer
Crau plateau, have gifted this blend which is made up
of 80 percent Grenache, 10 percent Mourvèdre, seven
percent Syrah and three percent Cinsault. Gentle
extraction after a modest cold soak has been followed
by eighteen months ageing, shared between vat and
350 litre casks, none of which are new. Benchmark
Châteauneuf aromas of black olive and the scrub cede
to a dark and savoury palate, hugely textured and
with layers of potential. The 2016 calling cards of pure
acidity and elegant tannins are both present and the
finish is imperious. Drink 2020-2028.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer
Chateau la Nerthe,
For laying down,
The final blend this year will be the usual cornucopia of Grenache, Syrah , Mourvèdre and Cinsault, the Syrah now nearly achieving parity with the Grenache (and in terms of taste profile it’s certainly just as influential). Maturation has been 60 percent in barrel, 40 percent in foudre and the wine rejoices in classic ripeness and purity, aromatic and subtle intensity. An archetype from the modern end of the spectrum, its modernity is tempered by a robust respect for provenance and the dexterity of an extremely gifted winemaker. Drink 2019-2025.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer
Domaine de la Janasse,
For laying down,
Christophe describes this as “the best Chaupin ever”,
and if there was ever an illustration of Grenache
that is richly wrought, powerful and luxuriously
textured, yet still structured and not tipping over into
a decadent over-indulgence, then this would be it. The
herbal hints at the back of the palate ground the wine
magnificently; otherwise it’s an ethereal paean to
Provencal pleasure. Drink 2022-2028.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer
and if there was ever an illustration of Grenache
that is richly wrought, powerful and luxuriously
textured, yet still structured and not tipping over into
a decadent over-indulgence, then this would be it. The
herbal hints at the back of the palate ground the wine
magnificently; otherwise it’s an ethereal paean to
Provencal pleasure. Drink 2022-2028.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer
Domaine de la Janasse,
For laying down,
Well, this year I marginally prefer the Vieilles Vignes,
although I infer that the Sabons might vote for the
Chaupin. Hard to choose really. I love the dense, richly
complex, nervously adolescent splendour of this wine,
its strutting potential and plush, unending generosity,
a long and happy future definitively secured. Drink
2023-2030+.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer
although I infer that the Sabons might vote for the
Chaupin. Hard to choose really. I love the dense, richly
complex, nervously adolescent splendour of this wine,
its strutting potential and plush, unending generosity,
a long and happy future definitively secured. Drink
2023-2030+.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer
Chateau de Beaucastel,
For laying down,
A blend, in roughly equal proportions, of Mourvèdre,
Grenache, Syrah and 80-year-old Cinsault, the wine
is intense in colour and richly concentrated; savoury
notes and sweet dark cherry fruit join forces, with
pepper, liquorice and spice box in reserve. Plenty of
plush and polish and an almost Burgundian swagger.
A triumphant wine, almost as popular as the senior
wine and always a winner with Berry Bros. & Rudd
staff! Drink 2019-2022.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer
Grenache, Syrah and 80-year-old Cinsault, the wine
is intense in colour and richly concentrated; savoury
notes and sweet dark cherry fruit join forces, with
pepper, liquorice and spice box in reserve. Plenty of
plush and polish and an almost Burgundian swagger.
A triumphant wine, almost as popular as the senior
wine and always a winner with Berry Bros. & Rudd
staff! Drink 2019-2022.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer
Chateau de Beaucastel,
For laying down,
A tasting of the Courrieux vineyard, a single parcel of Mourvèdre planted in 1909 that always makes up around 70% of the blend. It's a wine that makes you inhale deeply. It has a wonderful, regal, stunning nose of violets, blueberries, and blackcurrant almost. It's seamless on the palate, with some camphor, menthol and rosemary notes to the fruit. There's sublime freshness, and the tannins are full and dense but very ripe. A mouth-filling, mouth coating and very intense wine, with a saline finish. Potentially worthy of a perfect score.
Matt Walls - Decanter 09/10/17
Matt Walls - Decanter 09/10/17
Chateau de Beaucastel,
For laying down,
“Unusually closed on the nose, in White Burgundy this is often a sign of greatness…with much coaxing delicate florals and sweet beeswax emerge. Spicy white pepper tops the pear, apricot and gently exotic fruit on the palate. The finish has an almost coriander coolness yet is bound up within itself. This is impressive and will need more time than usual to show its full potential.”
Gary Owen, Fine Wine Dept.
Gary Owen, Fine Wine Dept.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer