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.
jebdunnuck.com, 97 points: (95-97) A wine that’s going to be up with the finest vintage ever from this estate, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape (75% Grenache, 10% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre, and the balance Cinsault) offers a southern Rhône...
jebdunnuck.com, 97 points: (95-97+ points) A vintage compared to 2010 by Laurence, the 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape looks to be one of the big successes in the vintage. Possessing a ripe, rounded, sexy style backed up by solid density and...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 97 points: (95-97) No surprise, the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape takes the quality of the Coudoulet and ratchets it up a notch (or two!). I tasted the preliminary blend from foudre and was blown away by its potential. At 35% Mourvèdre...
jebdunnuck.com, 100 points: (98-100) Incorporating 8% Mourvèdre, 12% Syrah and 5% other permitted variety, 60% destemmed, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Vieilles Vignes sports a deep, inky color as well as sensational notes of black currants...
Antonio Galloni's Vinous, 93 points: (91-93 points) Dark ruby. Aromas and flavors of ripe red and blue fruits pick up floral and peppery spice nuances as the wine opens up. Smooth and expansive on the palate, showing very good depth as well as energy and...
jebdunnuck.com, 99 points: (96-99 points) A blockbuster in the making is the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape les Quartz, which is 100% Grenache from the les Cassanets lieu-dit just beside the estate. Garrigue, kirsch, black raspberries, spice, and incense...
jebdunnuck.com, 98 points: The 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Imperiale is undeniably one of the big successes in the vintage. A blend of 95% Grenache and 5% other permitted varieties, partially destemmed and aged all in concrete, its deep ruby color is...
Wine Spectator, 98 points: This has a drop-dead gorgeous core of cassis and raspberry pâte de fruit flavors that holds center stage but still allows notes of Lapsang souchong tea, anise, incense and shiso leaf to chime in. Very long, with a...
Wine Enthusiast, 90 points: Guigal's Côtes du Rhône rosé is a blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Cinsault and 10% Syrah. It's a dark pink shade, rather full bodied and rich. Some earthy, savory notes help balance out the intense cherry-berry fruit...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 94 points: The NV Côtes du Rhône S.M. is thrilling stuff. Made from equal parts Grenache and Syrah and aged half in concrete and half in barrel, it offers a full-bodied, voluptuous and decadent style to go with overflowing notes of...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 94 points: The 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape from Raymond Usseglio has it all. Complex aromas of spice, leather and plum. Appealing flavors of red and black fruits. A rich, supple texture. A long, velvety finish that echoes with spice...
Wine Spectator, 97 points: There's a velvety, caressing mouthfeel to the waves of Linzer torte, warm cassis and raspberry pâte de fruit flavors, laced with black tea, mulled spice, singed alder and melted licorice notes. The long finish has latent...
Wine Spectator, 92 points: Rather perfumy up front, with savory, mint and incense notes leading the way for silky cherry and raspberry coulis flavors. The finish is lined with subtle tobacco, warm stone and floral hints, ending with a light balsam...
Antonio Galloni's Vinous, 92 points: (90-92 points) Brilliant ruby. Pungent dark berry, licorice and garrigue aromas are energized by a hint of white pepper. Chewy and focused on the palate, offering bitter cherry, cassis and blood orange flavors that show...
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