Alsace, Rhône & Rest of France

Our Côtes du Rhône is made for us by the talented Rémi Pouizin. The wine is so typical of the Rhône, with its herbal notes of dried basil and sage. Yet it’s also full of fresh blackberry fruit and the richness of macerated raspberries. The vibrant palate is brimming with ripe red cherries and an appealing kernel hint. Fine tannins move across the palate smoothly, and the lip-smacking freshness demands another sip.

{***}{region}Southern France{region}
{color} Red{color}                                                             

  {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2020{vintage}
{ratings}
 {ratings}       {***}

This new addition to our range comes from the wonderful Ch. la Nerthe. We have opted to package it without a neck capsule to reduce its carbon footprint. On the nose, red cherries and sweet red fruits are lifted by an exotic perfume and heady spice. The elegant cherry continues on the palate, supported by fine tannins and a long, refreshing finish. This organic Châteauneuf is pure and focused, with a true sense of place.

{***}{region}Southern France{region}
{color} Red{color}                                                               

{maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2019{vintage}
{ratings}
  {ratings}       {***}

For the 2019 vintage, Jean-Luc Terrier has sourced fruit from older vines and higher-altitude plots. The addition of 10% Pinot Noir to the historically Merlot/Syrah-based blend has transformed this into a beautifully fragrant, complex and elegant wine brimming with sweet red cherry fruit and displaying super fine tannins. It is harmonious and perfectly in balance with real subtlety and a long, extremely enjoyable, refreshing finish.

{***}{region} Languedoc{region}
{color} Red {color}                                                               {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2019{vintage}{***}

For the 2019 vintage, Jean-Luc Terrier has sourced fruit from older vines and higher-altitude plots to produce a mineral and fresh white wine. The blend is largely Chardonnay, which gives an attractive stone-fruit and white blossom aroma, combined with the local variety Mauzac that gives a nervy acidity and roundness to the palate. Notes of ginger spice and nectarine are balanced by a salty character and chalky minerality on the finish.

{***}
{region}Rhône{region}
{color}White{color}

{vintage}2019{vintage}

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

Our delicious 2020 Reserve Rosé is especially Provençal in style this year due to the addition of 20% Cinsault to the blend. This lends a gorgeous finesse and herbal refreshment to the wine. It is a delicate and subtle dry rosé with a pebble stone purity and a delectably saline finish.

{***}
{region}Rhône{region}
{color}Rose{color}

{vintage}2020{vintage}

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

We are delighted to once again partner with the esteemed Ch. la Mascaronne for this fresh and delectable rosé. The initial sensation of biting into a fresh red plum is followed by vivid notes of wild strawberries, raspberries and redcurrants. Above all, this is an energetic, pure and mineral wine with delicious freshness and a long, creamy finish.

{***}
{region}Provence, France{region}
{color}Rose{color}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{***}

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} Rhône{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} 

{***}

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} Rhône{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}

{***}

{***}{region} Rhône{region}
{color} Red {color}                                                              

 {maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}For Laying Down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2018{vintage}

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

[]Vinous:: 93-95/100

{ratings}

{***}

There is no Cadettes this year, rather surprisingly, so all the benefit goes into the domaine cuvée. What is more, La Nerthe have introduced a second wine called Les Granieres, to ensure that only the very best fruit is allowed into the domaine wine. This is a blend of half Grenache and nearly a quarter each of Syrah and Mourvèdre, with a little Cinsault making up the balance. An extremely impressive wine, the 2011 captures all the qualities that I have admired in the wine over the years, in particular aromatic restraint balanced by a wealth of ripe fruit.
Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer

La Nerthe is by far the grandest of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape properties and now, under the guidance of oenologist Christian Voeux, it is making wines to match. Long feted by the French themselves, La Nerthe is now internationally recognised and lauded for a style which, appropriately enough seems to capture something of the structural grandeur of the greatest properties in Bordeaux.

{***}{region} Rhône{region}
{color} Red {color}                   {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2011{vintage}

{ratings}
 [] The Wine Advocate:: 90/100 

       
{ratings} 

{***}

Picked from Francois Cotat's youngest vines, from 5 years upwards, still within the confines of the village of Chavignol if on slightly flatter ground. The net result is a Francois Cotat wine that can be lapped up if its youth. As you would expect, the wine shows impeccable manners, along with a crystalline purity, freshness and scintillating detail. Perfect as an aperitif or with starters.

{***}
{region}Loire{region}
{color}White{color}
{maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2019{vintage}
{ratings}      {ratings} 
{***}

{***}{region} Rhône{region}
{color} Red {color}                                                              

 {maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2009{vintage}

{ratings} []Wine Advocate:: 97+/100

{ratings}

{***}

Nearly as good as the la Côte Blonde, the 2016 Cote Rotie La Belle Helene is plump, round and full in the mouth, yet it lacks some of the former wine's exotic perfume. It still shows lovely purity, with baskets of ripe red berries, a plush, creamy mouthfeel and a long finish. It's a terrific wine that suffers only by comparison. With its terrific concentration and balance, it should drink well for two decades or more.

{***}{region} Rhône{region}
{color} Red {color}                  

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

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

{***}

This charming Sancerre rosé comes from Pinot Noir grapes grown on pebbly griottes soil; it’s this, a type of limestone, to which Simon Chotard attributes the wine’s finesse and floral aromas. Raised in stainless steel and bottled young, freshness is the order of the day. There’s a touch more weight here than you’re likely to find in a rosé from, say, Provence, so the wine works well with chicken, pork and even delicate red meat dishes. Drink now to 2022.

{***}
{region}Loire{region}
{color}Rose{color}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink Now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2019{vintage}
{ratings}      {ratings} 
{***}

Riffault presents an elegant Pinot Noir with a lot of breed. It is infused with a pleasantly present acid structure. It silkily lines the mouth. The fruit is now clearly brighter and more acidic - morello cherries become sour cherries. Its mineral framework gives it a lot of stability and the aforementioned linearity. The finish is very delicate and not nearly as dark as initially perceived. Juicy and animating to drink.

La Noue is ideal with dishes based on pork or beef that have been simply seared or smoked.

--

{***}
{region}Loire{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2019{vintage}
{ratings}      {ratings} 
{***}

The Viognier vines of Malleval grow on south-facing granite slopes at 300 metres’ altitude, where they receive plenty of sun and cooler, more temperate evenings. This is vibrant and energetic, with a swirling apricotty, orange sherbet nose. The palate is rich and medium-bodied, with a touch of honey, peaches, and dose of refreshing acidity to keep it fresh and poised. There is a delightful, lingering finish. Drink now to 2026.

{***}{region} Rhône{region}
{color} White {color}                  

 {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink Now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2019{vintage}

{ratings}
 [] The Wine Advocate:: 93/100

{ratings}

{***}

Stéphane brings a Burgundian approach to the region’s terroir from his studies in Beaune. He works with multiple lieux-dits, both in and out of the appellation, vinifying each separately and using oak sparingly to allow the particularities of each to show.

Lieux Dits, which translates to ‘said location’, refers to a specific site akin to a single vineyard. Stephane has 6 Lieux Dits across both the Côte Blonde and Brune - feminine, masculine, floral, savoury, earthiness all come through. 

{***}{region} Rhône{region} {color} Red {color}

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

{ratings}

[] Jeb Dunnuck ::95/100

{ratings}

{***}

Stéphane brings a Burgundian approach to the region’s terroir from his studies in Beaune. He works with multiple lieux-dits, both in and out of the appellation, vinifying each separately and using oak sparingly to allow the particularities of each to show.

Lieux Dits, which translates to ‘said location’, refers to a specific site akin to a single vineyard. Stephane has 6 Lieux Dits across both the Côte Blonde and Brune - feminine, masculine, floral, savoury, earthiness all come through. 

{***}{region} Rhône{region}
{color} Red {color}                  

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

{ratings}

[] Jeb Dunnuck ::92/100

{ratings}

{***}

Stéphane brings a Burgundian approach to the region’s terroir from his studies in Beaune. He works with multiple lieux-dits, both in and out of the appellation, vinifying each separately and using oak sparingly to allow the particularities of each to show.

Lieux Dits, which translates to ‘said location’, refers to a specific site akin to a single vineyard. Stephane has 6 Lieux Dits across both the Côte Blonde and Brune - feminine, masculine, floral, savoury, earthiness all come through. 

{***}{region} Rhône{region}
{color} Red {color}                  

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

{ratings}

[] Jeb Dunnuck ::94/100

{ratings}

{***}

Stéphane brings a Burgundian approach to the region’s terroir from his studies in Beaune. He works with multiple lieux-dits, both in and out of the appellation, vinifying each separately and using oak sparingly to allow the particularities of each to show.

Lieux Dits, which translates to ‘said location’, refers to a specific site akin to a single vineyard. Stephane has 6 Lieux Dits across both the Côte Blonde and Brune - feminine, masculine, floral, savoury, earthiness all come through. 

{***}{region} Rhône{region}
{color} Red {color}                  

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

{ratings}

[] Jeb Dunnuck ::96/100

{ratings}

{***}

Stéphane brings a Burgundian approach to the region’s terroir from his studies in Beaune. He works with multiple lieux-dits, both in and out of the appellation, vinifying each separately and using oak sparingly to allow the particularities of each to show.

Lieux Dits, which translates to ‘said location’, refers to a specific site akin to a single vineyard. Stephane has 6 Lieux Dits across both the Côte Blonde and Brune - feminine, masculine, floral, savoury, earthiness all come through. 

{***}{region} Rhône{region}
{color} Red {color}                  

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

{ratings}
      [] Jeb Dunnuck ::95/100
{ratings} 

{***}

Stéphane brings a Burgundian approach to the region’s terroir from his studies in Beaune. He works with multiple lieux-dits, both in and out of the appellation, vinifying each separately and using oak sparingly to allow the particularities of each to show.

Lieux Dits, which translates to ‘said location’, refers to a specific site akin to a single vineyard. Stephane has 6 Lieux Dits across both the Côte Blonde and Brune - feminine, masculine, floral, savoury, earthiness all come through. 

{***}{region} Rhône{region} {color} Red {color}

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

{ratings}

[] Jeb Dunnuck ::96/100

{ratings}

{***}

Both the 2010 and the 2009 continue to blow me away every time I taste them, and to me, these represent the pinnacle of Cote Rotiealbeit in very different styles. The 2010 Cote Rotie la Turque is a much more masculine and edgy wine that's going to reward cellaring. Its inky black color is followed by classic notes of smoked meats, scorched earth, licorice and ample black fruits. Big, rich, tannic and structured, dont think about touching bottles until at least 2020.
Jeb Dunnuck - 28/12/2016

{***}{region} Rhône{region} {color} Red {color}

 {maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2010{vintage}

{ratings}

[] Wine Advocate ::100/100

{ratings}

{***}

This is Rostaing’s signature blend from various parcels across the appellation, using 95% wholebunch to great success. The wine itself has a dark inky colour which is an indication of the concentration and richness to come. The palate shows incredibly pure, dark fruit with a textbook note of violets. Despite its pedigree this is very approachable, but will reward a few years’ patience. Drink 2021-2031.

{***}{region}Rhône{region}
{color}Red{color}                                                                                           {maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2017{vintage}

{ratings} [] Wine Spectator:: 92/100

[] Vinous:: 93/100

[] Jancis Robinson :: 17.5/20

{ratings}

{***}

{***}{region} Rhône{region}
{color} Red {color}                                                              

 {maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}For Laying Down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2018{vintage}

{ratings} []Wine Advocate:: 96-98/100

[]Vinous:: 96-98/100

[]Jeb Dunnuck:: 98/100

[] Jancis Robinson:: 18/20

[] Wine Spectator:: 96/100

{ratings}

{***}

Soft, warm and gently expressive aromas, hinting at sweet milk, chocolate and tobacco, leads you to think that this will be a classically graceful la Nerthe. One sip, though, and you realise it is, after all, a 2010: the palate is much fresher and zestier than the aromas suggested. There are dried herbal and grilled meat flavours, with floral backnotes: lively, pure and thrusting, and not at all creamy. An elemental Nerthe.

Andrew Jefford, Decanter.com (May 2016)

{***}{region} Rhône{region}
{color} Red {color}                   {maturity}drink-now{maturity} 

{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2010{vintage}

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

[] Jancis Robinson :: 17.5/20

[] Wine Spectator:: 91/100

[] Vinous:: 92+/100 

{ratings}

{***}

Jean-Luc Jamet worked for many years alongside his brother Jean-Paul at the family estate, Domaine Jamet, before setting off on his own in 2013. He now works a total of eight hectares with his son, Benoit: five hectares of Côte-Rôtie, two of Côtes-du-Rhône and one hectare of Vin de Pays. Currently undergoing extensive renovations, the estate can be found on the plateau at Le Vallin, an impressively windy drive above the slopes of the Côte Rôtie.

Made with 25% whole clusters): Lurid violet color. Smoke-accented scents of blueberry, licorice and olive are sharpened by a bright mineral quality. Silky, focused and appealingly sweet, with a light touch to its fresh dark berry, black pepper and violet pastille flavors. Gentle, slow-building tannins add gentle grip to the sappy finish, which strongly repeats the blue fruit note. 

{***}{region} Rhône{region}
{color} Red {color}                  

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

{ratings} [] Vinous:: 90-92/100
       
{ratings} 

{***}

This unique assortment case brings together all three of Maison Etienne Guigal's iconc Côte-Rôtie, affectionately nicknamed "The La-La's".

This case contains one bottle of each of the following wines:

2005 Côte-Rôtie, La Landonne - 100 points

The 2005 Cote Rotie la Landonne is utterly profound, and is certainly in the same league as the '10, '09, '03, '99, '90, '89 and other incredible vintages (the list of top vintages here is almost too long to list). Inky colored, structured, tannic, massively concentrated and still with phenomenal texture and richness, it has the classic dark fruits, tapenade and meatiness of the cuvee, but at age 10, is still an infant. It needs 4-5 years and will be a 50+ year wine. Drink 2020 - 2055. (Reviewed Sep 2015).

2005 Côte-Rôtie, La Mouline - 100 points

Another ridiculous effort, the 2005 Cote Rotie la Mouline doesn’t pull any punches and is perfectly balanced, deeply concentrated and shockingly rich, with a seamless, elegant and silky character that’s to die for. Giving up notions of smoked beef, iron, spring flowers and thrilling black raspberry and blackberry fruit, this classic La Mouline has nothing out of place, beautiful purity and precision, and incredible length. More in the style of the 2010, it can be consumed anytime over the coming 2-3 decades. Drink 2014 - 2044. (Reviewed Aug 2014).

2005 Côte-Rôtie, La Turque - 100 points

The 2005 Cote Rotie la Turque is utterly profound, and a desert island wine if there ever was one. Crème de cassis, blackcurrants, chocolate, barbecued meats and bacon fat all literally soar from the glass of this full-bodied, structured, perfectly balanced Cote Rotie that doesn’t have a hair out of place. It’s just now at the early stages of drinkability and will benefit from 2-4 more years in the cellar, and keep for 2-3 decades after that. Dirnk 2018 - 2045. (Reviewed Dec 2016).

Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate

{***}{region} Rhône{region} {color} Red {color}

 {maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2005{vintage}

{ratings}

[] Wine Advocate ::100/100

{ratings}

{***}