Alsace, Rhône & Rest of France

{***}
{region}Sancerre{region}
{color}White{color}
{vintage}2019{vintage}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{***}

Very pure, round and flavorful supported by beautiful acidity adding body and volume. there is a fine and elegant aromatic framework enhancing length. Beautiful, sharp structure.

{***}{region} Côtes de Provence{region}
{color} Rose {color}                                                               {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2020{vintage}{***}

Very pure, round and flavorful supported by beautiful acidity adding body and volume. there is a fine and elegant aromatic framework enhancing length. Beautiful, sharp structure.

{***}{region} Côtes de Provence{region}
{color} Rose {color}                                                               {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2019{vintage}{***}

Deep ruby in colour, notes of pepper and spice showcase the wine’s Syrah component. The Merlot adds a red berry and plum aroma, supported by a juicy and generous palate. The fresh, vibrant acidity from the Syrah, combined with the spicy and ripe tannins, make for a well-balanced and accessible red. This was a particularly good vintage for both Merlot and Syrah.

{***}{region} Languedoc{region}
{color} Red {color}                                                               {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2018{vintage}{***}

The value for money is staggering and when you taste the depth of fruit and breathe in the heavenly perfume of this wild, red-fruited wine your senses will be in orbit. The texture is mesmerising because it is silky smooth and the finish is prickles with refreshing spice and earth notes.

{***}{region}Southern France{region}
{color} Red{color}                                                               {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2019{vintage}
{ratings}
 [] International Wine Challenge® 2020 Commended Wine Winner {ratings}       {***}

32% Vermentino, 30% Sauvignon, 20% Macabeu, 14% Grenache Blanc, 3% Marsanne & Roussanne and 1% Grenache Gris. The nose a fascinating nut-inflected mix of orchard and citrus fruit, with hints of the pine forest. On the palate it is nutty, earthy with refined fruit and prominent minerality.

{***}{region} Roussillon {region}
{color} White {color}                                                               {maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2013{vintage}{***}

This cuvée is made from Carignan, Syrah and Grenache fruit from old vines which are farmed biodynamically and planted high in the foothills of the Pyrenees. The high altitude allows the fruit to retain a lovely freshness which gives this wine finesse and elegance. Made using minimum amounts of sulphur, this red has plenty of ripe blackcurrant and red berry fruit which sit alongside leather, thyme and a subtle “animal note”, which is present enough to give complexity without overwhelming the palate as some natural wines can do. Aged at the domaine, this is ready for drinking, although it will mature very gracefully should one wish to keep it for a while.

{***}{region} Roussillon {region}
{color} Red {color}                                                               {maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2013{vintage}{***}

François Cotat's Sancerre ‘Les Monts Damnés’ vineyard is perched on a steep hillside, facing south, with thin topsoils. These “damned mountains” provide the most chiseled, vibrant and deeply profound of Cotat’s Sancerres'. Racked and bottled according to the lunar calendar the wine is bottled by hand, unfined and unfiltered. On the nose Monts Damnés offers real refinement, purity and intensity, with some floral top notes. The palate is initially rich, with a real feeling of density and viscosity, but then the classic Monts Damnés minerality kicks in; the wine is fine, elegant and chalky with an intense freshness that leaves a clean and energetic finish. Drink 2020-2026.

{***}{region} Sancerre{region}
{color} White{color}

{maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text} {vintage}2018{vintage}{***}

The 2016 Pinot Gris Zellberg is deep and intense but pure and stony on the nose. Rich, smooth and elegant, this is a very intense, perfectly ripe and textured Zellberg with fine but still young and grippy tannins and delicious acidity. Lush, long and fruity but still young. - The Wine Advocate

{***}{region}Alsace{region}
{color} White{color}                                                               {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2017{vintage}
{ratings}
   [] The Wine Advocate:: 93/100{ratings}        {***}

Located on the top and the southwest slopes of the hill of Epfig, the Fronholz vineyard gives wines with marked minerality, firm acidity, and elegant aromas that can be rather discreet in their youth.

{***}{region} Alsace {region}
{color} White {color}

{maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}

{vintage}2016{vintage}{***}

An expansive palette of grape varieties adds to the ensemble of Beaucastel's Châteauneuf-du-Pape in 2007, be it the white pepper from the Counoise, the hedgerow from the Cinsault, the notes of summer pudding from the Syrah or the pure red berry fruit from the Grenache. It is however the power of the dominant Mourvèdre with its notes of charcuterie and bacon rind, which intimates longevity and a satisfying crescendo over the next fifteen years.

{***}
{region}Rhône{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}ready-improve{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2007{vintage}
{ratings}
[]The Wine Advocate::96/100
[]Jancis Robinson::18/20
{ratings}
{***}

The 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee de Mon Aieul is just now starting to shed a tiny amount of its abundant baby fat that's been front and center since release. Still, it pulls no punches in its thrilling aromas and flavors of kirsch liqueur, roasted garrigue, black raspberries, incense, cured meats and licorice, and it is about as quintessential Grenache as you can find. Thrillingly concentrated, intense, perfumed and layered with incredible balance, this full-bodied beauty should hit its peak in another 2-3 years and keep for at least a decade after that.

{***}{region} Rhone{region}
{color} Red {color}                   {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2007{vintage}

{ratings}
 [] The Wine Advocate:: 99/100        
{ratings} 

{***}

Deep ruby. Expressive aromas of ripe blackberry, boysenberry, licorice and olive paste show very good clarity and pick up a smoky nuance as the wine stretches out. Juicy and energetic on the palate, offering concentrated black and blue fruit flavors complemented by a building floral pastille note. Shows noticeable weight on the broad, gently tannic finish, which echoes the dark berry and licorice notes. 93pts Vinous

{***}{region}Rhône{region}
{color}Red{color}                                                                                           {maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2016{vintage}{***}

Based on an approximate blend from tank, Jamet's 2016 Côte-Rôtie features attractive aromas of cedar, leather, dried spices and cherries. It doesn't have the dramatic floral or rich bass notes of the truly great vintages, but it delivers a classic representation of the appellation. It's medium to full-bodied, with ripe, silky tannins, cherry and black olive flavors and a long finish.

{***}{region} Rhone{region}
{color} Red {color}                  

 {maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2016{vintage}

{ratings}
 [] The Wine Advocate:: 92-94/100        
{ratings} 

{***}

Inky ruby. Intensely perfumed aromas of ripe red/blue fruits, potpourri and smoked meat show excellent clarity and spicy lift. Offers deeply concentrated boysenberry, black raspberry, spicecake and violet pastille flavors. Hints of candied licorice and cracked pepper build on the back half. Finishes on a suave, alluringly sweet note of blue fruit liqueur, with slowly emerging tannins and outstanding focus. - Vinous

{***}{region} Rhone{region}
{color} Red {color}          

{maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2015{vintage}

{ratings}[]Wine Spectator:: 97/100
[] Wine Advocate:: 95/100

[] Vinous:: 94/100{ratings}

{***}

This is floral and delicate in style with red-berry perfume, subtle garrigue and spice notes adding layers of aromatic complexity. Juicy berry fruit, refreshing acidity and silky, mouthcoating tannins make for an extremely pure, precise and charming wine. Drink now to 2022.

{***}{region} Rhone{region}
{color} Red {color}          

       {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2017{vintage}{***}