About the Rhone wine region
Along with Bordeaux and Burgundy, Rhône Valley wines are acknowledged to be among the best in the world. Situated in the Rhône River Valley in the south of France, the Rhône is comprised of two distinct regions—the north and south—each with its own viniculture and featuring wines of very different character.
The Northern Rhône (referred to in French as Rhône septentrional) produces powerful, aromatically complex and age worthy red wines, often in very limited numbers, from the dignified Syrah grape. Typically, most red wines in the northern zone have had an alcohol content in the common 12% to 13% range, but warmer-than-normal growing seasons (like in 1997, 1999, and 2003 in particular), have brought significantly richer, more powerful, and higher alcoholic content varieties.
The Southern Rhône (or Rhône méridional) yields more than 90% of the valley’s total production. A multitude of markedly more rustic and often richer blends coming from the high-alcohol Grenache grape can be identified by a more “southern” flavor. The wines offer a rich mouth feel, and more of a roasted and somewhat liqueur-ish fruit personality with spice and wild herb accents.
In the Northern Rhône Valley the apotheosis of Viognier, an exotically scented white wine, is also grown. Viognier is a variety that has been recently planted on several continents by growers hoping to capitalize on a strong worldwide demand. There are other white wines from the Rhône Valley (albeit less exciting than Viognier). The majority of these are blends based on Marsanne and Roussanne in the North, and Grenache Blanc and less interesting native varieties in the South.
Just about pure perfection and one of the finest Condrieu to pass my lips, the 2020 Condrieu La Doriane offers an insane bouquet of grilled pineapple, charcoal, crushed stone, acacia flowers, and white peach. It picks up...
I was blown away by the 2020 Ermitage Le Méal Blanc, which is certainly the finest vintage of this cuvée I’ve tasted. From the pure south-facing Méal lieu-dit (which is the warmest terroir on Hermitage), it was vinified...
Just bottled the week prior to this tasting, the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Blanc is a true winner in the vintage and should be snatched up by savvy readers. White peach, flowers, and green almond notes dominate the...
(96-98 points) Classy hints of pencil shavings accent the pear, nectarine and melon fruit in the full-bodied, voluptuous 2018 Ermitage de l'Orée. Despite the wine's ample richness and weight, it's surprisingly fresh and...
Very focused, with yellow apple, persimmon, acacia, honeysuckle and lemon curd notes layered seamlessly as they move through, ending with salted butter and quinine echoes that bring you back for more. Drink now through...
A killer wine as always, the 2018 Saint Joseph Les Granits Blanc reveals a medium gold color as well as powerful notes of white currants, toasted spices, brioche, quince, and crushed rock. With beautiful richness, medium...
A bright, lively version, with the mix of apricot, peach and white nectarine fruit flavors enlivened by honeysuckle and acacia notes through the juicy finish. Drink now through 2026. – JM
Quite possibly the finest white in the appellation, the 2020 Saint Joseph Les Granits Blanc is all Marsanne from what I would consider the best terroir in the appellation, the south-facing slopes of the Saint Joseph...
Bottled in May, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée A Tempo Blanc is another incredible white from this estate. More melon, exotic tropical, and even hints of pear-like fruits as well as green almond and chalky mineral...
Moving to the three single vineyard Hermitage Blancs, these are all perfect wines yet offer distinct characters. The 2019 Ermitage De L’Orée comes from more limestone soils in the Les Murets lieu-dit, on the eastern side...
Also all Marsanne from the eastern side of Hermitage, raised in 15% new demi-muids, the 2020 Ermitage De L’Orée is full-bodied and concentrated, yet stays tight and reserved on the palate. Giving up beautiful white...
98+ The thickest, most unctuous, full-bodied and sexy white of the vintage is the 2014 Ermitage de l’Orée. Coming all from the sedimentary soils of the Les Murets and aged mostly in demi-muids (only 15% new), it offers...
Rich and opulent on the nose, with yellow peach and honeycomb. Very full bodied, with that immediate internal sweet ripeness of fruit that often marks out this cuvée. Good balancing acidity here, with real intensity of...
A barrel-fermented blend of 50% Marsanne and 50% Roussanne, the 2017 Crozes Hermitage Domaine Mule Blanche is a terrific example of what those varieties can do when they're grown in the right location and vinified with...
Buttered apple, orange blossom, honeysuckle, and toasty, spicy notes all characterize the 2019 Saint Joseph Blanc, which has a beautiful richness and depth on the palate. Still youthful and closed, give this medium to...
Shows a creamy edge, with a mix of lemon curd, white peach and yellow apple fruit flavors, backed by hints of brioche and macadamia nut. A subtle stony underlay gives it spine on the very stylish and lengthy finish. Drink...
Citrusy and grapefruit-led thanks to the Bourboulenc. Touch of anise, touch of fennel, lovely acidity and freshness, with a gentle saline line. Generous but only just full-bodied, this shows liveliness and more depth than...
Composed of 70% Clairette (supplemented by 25% Grenache Blanc and 5% Bourboulenc), this is a full-bodied but spry white that showcases pert lemon and grapefruit flavors. Wisps of honey and caramel lend softness to the...
The 2019 Condrieu La Doriane is another tremendous effort from this estate that does everything right. Reminding me slightly of the 2015 with its power and richness, it still has plenty of freshness in its apricot, ripe...
A bright, high-pitched style, with makrut lime, green apple and green melon flavors laced with a jasmine note. A subtle mineral edge provides balance on the finish. Drink now through 2024. 850 cases made, 170 cases...
The richest and most fruit loaded of the trio is the 2019 Ermitage Le Méal Blanc, which comes from a warmer terroir. This killer Hermitage Blanc has a vivid gold hue as well as a crazy good nose of quince, honeyed...
A wine I’ve always loved, the 2015 St Joseph Les Granits Blanc is, I suspect, the greatest white to ever come from this appellation. Made from 100% Marsanne all from the St Joseph lieu-dit, aged 80% in demi-muids (15%...
Plenty of quince, crushed stone, and white flower notes emerge from the 2018 Hermitage Blanc, a rich, medium to full-bodied white Hermitage. It has a kiss of toasty, nutty notes, but otherwise has completely absorbed its...
Limpid straw. Bright and focused on the fragrant nose, displaying fresh green apple, melon and tangerine scents and a touch of florality. Juicy and taut on the palate, offering tangy citrus and orchard fruit flavors and a...
Various plots around the appellation are farmed organically, and all varieties are co-fermented for this wine. It has aromas of pear, anise, flowers and heather honey, with a medium- to full-bodied palate displaying very...
A beauty in all aspects, from the lush and fine-grained feel, to the wide swath of melon, peach, pear, yellow plum and yellow apple fruit flavors, to the subtle brioche, salted butter, white truffle and macadamia nuances...
Slightly more reserved now than on release, the 2012 Ermitage le Meal Blanc offers tons of honeyed minerality, caramelized peach, toasted bread and liquid rock-like aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, rich, vibrant and with...
Settled and harmonious, with touches of dried pear and quince. Fresh, on its rails, not as explosive as it was just after bottling, showing lovely weight and size, plus touches of hazelnut to the waxy quince and anise...
Of the three sélection parcellaire whites, the 2015 Ermitage de l’Orée is the most fresh and lively, with full-bodied richness and depth in its pineapple, mint, tropical fruits, toasted bread, brioche and liquid...
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