"Another incredible white from this family is the 2019 Hermitage Blanc, a powerful, concentrated, and remarkably pure Hermitage that has laser-like focus as well as textbook Marsanne notes of quince, green almond, powdered rock, licorice, and spice. It’s still tight, focused, and inward at present, yet it reminds me of the 2018 with its purity and rare mix of power and elegance. It’s worth trying a bottle any time over the coming 3-5 years, but after that, I’d recommend waiting until after 2031. 98+" - Jeb Dunnuck
"The 2019 Hermitage Farconnet comes from a mix of Péléat, Les Doignières, and Les Greffieux, and it was raised in used barrels. It has a classic Northern Rhône bouquet of ripe red and blackberry fruit as well as saddle leather, forest floor, ground pepper, and spring flowers. Needing a short decant, it's medium to full-bodied, has a supple, elegant mouthfeel, those classic Hermitage ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish. It's already drinking nicely yet has a solid 10-12 years of longevity ahead of it." - Jeb Dunnuck
100% Syrah sourced from hillside vineyards in Larnage and Gervans. 50% of the blend comes from a parcel of young vines owned by Jean-Louis, which is situated on back, east-facing flank of the Hermitage hill.
" Composed of 100% Roussanne, the 2021 Saint Joseph Circa Blanc is terrific. Offering a classic perfume of ripe pears, honeycomb, quince, and sappy flowers, it picks up a beautiful sense of minerality with time in the glass. Medium-bodied, nicely concentrated, rich, and layered, it's one heck of an impressive Northern Rhône white that's going to shine for at least 3-5 years, and I wouldn't be surprised to see it have an interesting evolution over the coming decade." - Jeb Dunnuck
"Shockingly good given the difficulties in Crozes during the growing season (it rained - a lot), the 2021 Crozes-Hermitage Silene has a pretty, complex, elegant perfume of red berries, spring flowers, cedary herbs, and pepper, with some classic Northern Rhône bacon fat. Nicely textured, medium-bodied, and elegant, with good ripeness, it's a rock-solid, classic, old school-styled Crozes to enjoy over the coming 7-8 years." - Jeb Dunnuck
"A year-in, year-out smoking value as well as a great bottle of wine, the 2021 Côtes du Rhône Mon Coeur checks in as equal parts Grenache and Syrah brought up in neutral oak. Its vivid ruby hue is followed by a medium-bodied, elegant, lively red offering pretty red and black berry fruits, some spring flowers, peppery herbs, and gamey nuances, fine tannins, and nicely integrated acidity. Coming from a cooler year, it still brings plenty of richness and depth and is well worth seeking out." - Jeb Dunnuck
"The 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Piedlong is 90% Grenache from the lieu-dit le Pied Long (sometimes written as one word), plus 10% Mourvèdre from Pignan, so sandy soils—in contrast to Vieux Telegraph's preponderance of la Crau's galets roulés. At 50% whole bunches, it's a bit stemmy and herbal but also soaring and gorgeous on the nose, with scents of roses, menthol, cherries and raspberries. Full-bodied but airy in feel and silky in texture, with a long, lingering finish, it looks to be pretty special this vintage." - Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate
Chateau de Saint Cosme Little James NV, "I enjoyed the non-vintage Little James. A blend of primarily Grenache (from both the Southern Rhone and the Languedoc-Roussillon), some of which is vinified carbonically, it is an excellent, surprisingly substantial, heady, full-flavored bistro red. Consume it over the next several years.- Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate
100% Syrah sourced from hillside vineyards in Larnage and Gervans. 50% of the blend comes from a parcel of young vines owned by Jean-Louis, which is situated on back, east-facing flank of the Hermitage hill.
Château de Saint Cosme Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge 2021," Louis Barruol’s entry-level bottling is unique because it is 100% Syrah. Deep, dark-fruited and well-structured with attractive spice and floral top notes, the 2021 is a fantastic choice to pair with grilled or braised beef or lamb." - Josh Raynolds, Vinous
"A blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre, the 2020 Vinsobres features cinnamon, liquorice, black pepper, gingerbread and salinity. Bottled unfiltered. If the sense of terroir-driven power were to be encapsulated by a vineyard site, that site would have to be Rouanne. Our 2020 Vinsobres is packed full of intensity, length, fullness, depth, and enigma." - Winemaker's notes
"Le Claux is sourced from a Grenache-dominant field blend, with vines dating back to 1870. Vinified in whole clusters and matured in 20% new oak, it’s a penetrating, finessed wine that juxtaposes rippling black cherry and boysenberry flavors against veins of crushed salt, licorice and smoke. Chalky tannins and a spray of violet perfume a long finish. It’s stunning in youth but should improve through 2035." - Winemaker's notes
Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas Rouge 2020, "70% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, 14% Syrah, 1% Cinsault. Aged 20% in new oak barrels, 50% in oldervbarrels and 30% in concrete. Organic, cask sample, discreet nose with just a hint of dark fruit and spice. Rich and full on the palate, the fruit ripe and generous. Firm but ripe tannins, the finish just a little drying but will come round." - Jancis Robinson