2017 Rhône
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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
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.
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
Ready, but will keep,
This is very much in keeping with Emmanuel’s dynamic style of winemaking. As the name indicates, the fruit from three different plots are aged differently, in barriques and demi-muids. The result produces a dark and smoky nose. On the palate, bramble fruit is intertwined with very silky, polished tannins and a rich but well-balanced finish. Drink now to 2024.
Oliver Barton, Buying Assistant
Oliver Barton, Buying Assistant
Maison Chapoutier,
For laying down,
This cuvee is mainly matured in concrete vats, with only 30% of the wine seeing oak. This brings a real focus on the purity of fruit. The nose is dark and dense with lots of blackberry fruit. A good mineral streak runs through the palate which is well-structured with firm tannins. Drink 2020-2025.
Oliver Barton, Buying Assistant
Oliver Barton, Buying Assistant
Paul Avril et Fils,
For laying down,
The 2017 Châteauneuf-du-Pape looks to be a huge success and reminds me of the 2007. As is normal, Vincent keeps multiple foudres with different blends (as well as a foudre of the final blend), and it's always incredibly educational tasting through the different barrels. The final blend has a classic, sweet bouquet of kirsch, spices, and garrigue, and it's full-bodied, deep, and thrillingly concentrated on the palate. The blend is shifted more toward Mourvèdre due to the tiny quantity of Grenache in the vintage, which makes me think this cuvée might close down shortly after bottling, but it's upfront and incredibly expressive today. 96-99/100 Jeb Dunnuck
Domaine Du Tunnel,
For laying down,
This wine is unapologetic in its bold and assertive exterior. It is insanely powerful – with a density of black berry and plum fruit, overt pepper and liquorice spice, combining with iodine and tapenade aromas. There is so much to say about its flavour profile that it currently takes centre stage, but its significant tannin structure and juicy acidity will ensure its longevity. Drink 2020-2035.
Fiona Hayes, Rhône Buyer
Fiona Hayes, Rhône Buyer
Ready, but will keep,
This well-made white has an expressive nose of green apple, white peach and sage. The palate is textured and rounded, with plenty more fruit and herb notes. The most important element here is the wonderful fresh acidity, boosted by the Clairette which makes up a third of the blend (along with a third each Grenache Blanc and Viognier). The finish is surprisingly long with a cool mineral note. Drink now to 2021.
Oliver Barton, Buyer Assistant
Oliver Barton, Buyer Assistant
Domaine Pierre Gaillard,
For laying down,
Grapes for this wine are sourced from Côte Rozier – situated in a south-facing amphitheatre, this site is particularly warm and gives real concentration to the cuvee. Helped by the 30% new French oak, the wine displays sweet spice, supported by some savoury garrigue so typical of the region and the Syrah grape. The tannins are chewy but well-handled. Drink 2021-2040.
Fiona Hayes, Rhône Buyer
Fiona Hayes, Rhône Buyer
For laying down,
From a north-facing plot planted on schist, this cuvee includes 5% Viognier and is matured in 40% new oak. The nose is full of spice, with liquorice, pepper and wood smoke. The palate is suitably juicy and meaty, culminating in a smoky, mineral finish. The tannins are firm, boding well for a long life in the cellar. Drink 2021-2037.
Oliver Barton, Buying Assistant
Oliver Barton, Buying Assistant
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
Domaine Yves Cuilleron,
For laying down,
This big and flavoursome white is made from 100% Marsanne and is aged in barrels of which 25% are new. The result gives peach, almond and blossom aromas with plenty of citrus fruit and nectarine on the mid-palate. Rounded and structured, the finish is buttery and long. Drink now to 2022.
Oliver Barton, Buying Assistant
Oliver Barton, Buying Assistant
Domaine Vincent Paris,
For laying down,
Here the fruit is from a single plot, where the vines average over 100 years in age, and it sees 100% whole-bunch fermentation. Low yields provide a wonderful concentration of fruit set against a structured tannic background, and yet more elegance from the vibrant acidity. Along with generous fruit, the finish has delightful notes of fresh herbs and violets. Drink 2020-2030.
Oliver Barton, Buying Assistant
Oliver Barton, Buying Assistant
Domaine Pierre Gaillard,
For laying down,
A blend of Pierre’s five hectares in Cote-Rôtie, this wine is expressive and generous. The mix of red and black fruit is well supported by savoury and sweet spice, as well as hints of smoke and tapenade. The wine displays a fleshy core with firm yet ripe tannins. Drink 2020-2030.
Fiona Hayes, Rhône Buyer
Fiona Hayes, Rhône Buyer
Maison Chapoutier,
Ready, but will improve,
One of Chapoutier’s most famous cuvees, this red is a blend of three parcels across the steep slopes of Hermitage. Mostly these are granite soils, so the fruit from Le Méal – with its alluvial deposits – brings a lightness of touch. The nose is deep and dark, with the wine’s characteristic floral lift. The palate is laden with dark berry fruit and smoky mineral undertones. Drink 2021-2035.
Oliver Barton, Buying Assistant
Oliver Barton, Buying Assistant
Jaboulet,
For laying down,
Voluminous, fine and rich on the nose, this is text-book Syrah, with violets, dark fruit and great intensity. There’s lovely fruit on the palate too, capacious and building, ripe, almost sweet red and black fruit, tempered by notes of spice. Great acidity and fine-grained tannins keep it all in check and prove that this is a wine for the cellar. The finish is long, fine and impressive. Almost too painful to hold in the mouth at this stage, this wine will be at its best from 2025 to 2040.
Chris Pollington, Private Account Manager
Chris Pollington, Private Account Manager
Jaboulet,
For laying down,
Deeply coloured, the third release of this cuvée as Maison Bleue (formerly Petite Chapelle) opens with aromas of bramble, blackberry and apple, and underlying woodsmoke. Richly weighted with a muscular profile and broad tannins, a medley of raspberry, blackberry and blueberries greet you on the mid-palate, complemented by allspice and milk chocolate notes towards the finish. Generous and powerful with a graphite acidity to retain balance, this is a well-structured Hermitage which will develop for many years and offer rather good value too. Tuck it away for three years and enjoy from 2022 to 2034.
Chris Lamb, Private Account Manager
Chris Lamb, Private Account Manager
Jaboulet,
For laying down,
Ah, the awkward third child. So much promise, so much to live up to in the shadow of the 2015 and ’16, will this simply turn out to be the petulant spoilt brat? Not one bit! This was never going to be the Oxbridge-attending, first XI fielding equal of its immediate siblings, but no one likes a know-it-all, so step forward the cheeky, the affable 2017. A healthy dollop of damson jam and fig compôte (like the middle of a fig roll perhaps?) make up the solid core of lively fruit here, embellished by dried herbs, an ashen granite-like mineral note and salty liquorice. Waves of silky plummy tannins are butted with a lovey tart cranberry finish and I’m thinking nothing more profound than, “hmmmm, gosh, what a lovely wine”. Drink 2020-2030. He’s done the family proud.
Jared Ehret, Private Account Manager
Jared Ehret, Private Account Manager
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
Ready, but will improve,
This is a “sélection parcellaire” coming from vines that are over 60 years old, in the northern part of St Joseph. Thanks to time in 25% new French oak, this wine displays an attractive sweet spice and cedar aroma. Rich and generous in body, its subtle smoky and meaty notes support the luxurious red and black fruit. Concentrated and complex. Drink 2020-2028.
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.
Chateau de Beaucastel,
For laying down,
This younger sibling consistently goes beyond what is expected for a Côtes du Rhône. The 2017 is much juicier and richer in style than ’16. In ’16, the chalky acidity was much more pronounced, which in ’17 has been replaced with slightly more emphasis on tannins. Red cherries, blueberries and plums are supported by fig, cedar, fennel and sweet spice. Drink now to 2027.
Fiona Hayes, Rhône Buyer
Fiona Hayes, Rhône Buyer
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
Fiona Hayes, Rhône Buyer