2016 Red Wine from Northern Rhone

jebdunnuck.com, 96 points: On another level, the inky colored 2016 Crozes-Ermitage Les Varonniers comes from the granite hillside just beside Hermitage hill and is more Hermitage than Crozes. It has a huge nose of currants, smoked earth, graphite...

jebdunnuck.com, 100 points: Readers wanting to understand pure granite soils need to taste the inky blue/black-colored 2016 Ermitage L’Ermite, as just sticking your nose in the glass is enough to instantly transport you to this magical hillside...

jebdunnuck.com, 95 points: The base 2016 Cornas from Robert is a killer wine that shows the style of the vintage as well as the quality of the estate brilliantly. Crème de cassis, blackberries, smoked earth, spice, and hints of meatiness all flow...

Vinous, 94 points: (VN 92-94 points) Bright violet. Highly perfumed, mineral-accented dark berries, cherry liqueur and candied violet on the nose. At once rich and energetic, offering juicy, focused black raspberry and cherry cola flavors...

jamessuckling.com, 98 points: (JS 97-98 points) Very spicy and peppery with blue-granite aromas plus hints of grilled and smoked meat. Cloves and nutmeg. Full body, round and juicy tannins and a super spicy finish that almost burns with so much...

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 97 points: Looking even better than it did last year, now that it's in the bottle, Chapoutier's 2016 Saint-Joseph Le Clos is impressive indeed. Classy notes of crushed stone and pencil shavings are joined by floral hints of violets...

Wine Spectator, 92 points: A light coating of mocha allows dark cherry and plum compote flavors to glide through center stage while gentle black tea and sandalwood notes fill in on the finish. Alluring. Drink now through 2022. 6,500 cases made.–JM

Wine Spectator, 94 points: This has layers of warm cherry, plum and raspberry compote forming the core, while apple wood, black tea and iron notes run underneath. The finish has a fresh and racy edge, leaving a mouthwatering feel despite the heft...

jamessuckling.com, 96 points: (95-96) 28 Aug, 2018 – Dark, spicy and stony aromas with a smoky and intense mineral edge, some garrigue herbs, blackberries and ripe plum fruits. A sense of deep-set tension in a succulent array of black-fruit flavors...

jebdunnuck.com, 96 points: The flagship from this estate is the 2016 Saint Joseph Paradis Saint Pierre, which comes from an incredible terroir high up on the granite slopes just outside of Mauves. Deep purple-colored, with a stunning array of...

jebdunnuck.com, 95 points: Coming all from the schist soils in the Côte Brune side of the appellation, the 2016 Côte Rôtie Lieu Dit Montmain was destemmed, vinified all in concrete tanks and spent 14 months in 15% new French oak. Deep...

jebdunnuck.com, 96 points: The 2016 Saint Joseph La Sensonne is brought up all in new barrels, but it's barely noticeable in the wine due to the wealth of fruit and overall balance. Loaded with notions of crème de cassis, spiced blackberries...

Wine Spectator, 92 points:

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 91 points: Voge's 2016 Saint Joseph Les Cotes is only medium-bodied, but it's silky, flavorful and refreshing, loaded with detailed notes of cracked pepper, dried herbs, cherries and raspberries. Drink it over the next 6-7 years.- JC

jebdunnuck.com, 96 points: (94-96)Not yet bottled, the 2016 Côte Rôtie La Côte Rozier (97% Syrah and 3% Viognier) sports a saturated purple color as well as rocking notes of crème de cassis, graphite, crushed rocks, and liquid violets. It's rich...