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.
Wine Spectator, 96 points: Restrained and stylish, loaded with gorgeous layers of cassis, raspberry and damson plum fruit that stream along, lined with anise, shiso leaf and iron notes. The long, pure finish shows terrific cut and focus. This...
Wine Spectator, 94 points: Tightly packed but rippling with energy, this has a coiled core of raspberry, bitter plum and violet notes, augmented by black tea, savory and sweet tapenade flavors. The long finish pulls everything together, maintaining...
Antonio Galloni's Vinous, 91 points: Brilliant ruby-red. Suave, highly perfumed scents of raspberry liqueur, smoky minerals, candied flowers and Asian spices. Sappy and seamless on the palate, offering intense, well-delineated red fruit and floral pastille...
Wine Spectator, 94 points: Nicely packed for the vintage, with an energetic core of kirsch, damson plum and blood orange coulis flavors, backed by hints of singed cedar and alder that extend through the racy, focused fin- ish. A light echo of...
Wine Spectator, 93 points: A big ball of currant paste, raspberry preserves and cherry reduction. There’s ample anise, roasted alder and tobacco notes in the background. Best from 2018 through 2028. — J.M.
Wine Spectator, 95 points: Offers a solid, dark profile, with baker's chocolate, loam and warm gravel notes providing the bass line, while a core of plum and blackberry compote waits in reserve. Solidly rendered, showing ample grip, this just needs...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 98 points: 98+ The star of the show in 2013 is the 2013 Ermitage le Pavillon. Coming from the west and eastern edges of the Bessards lieu-dit and aged in 30% new French oak, its sensational black/blue color is followed by the...
Antonio Galloni's Vinous, 93 points: Deep ruby. Potent aromas of ripe dark berries, licorice pastille, woodsmoke, game and garrigue, plus a peppery nuance that adds spiciness and lift. Round and fleshy on the palate, offering intense blackberry and bitter...
Wine Enthusiast, 93 points: While not the most structured vintage of Beaucastel, this is a full-bodied, creamy-textured rendering of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Finely detailed notes of plum, thyme and leather mark the nose, while the flavors are ripe...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 100 points: Leading off three single-vintage whites from Hermitage, the stunning 2013 Ermitage Cuvee de L’Orée has an off-the-hook bouquet that includes just about everything you could think of when considering Hermitage Blanc. White...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 94 points: 94+ Tasted as a final blend and scheduled to be bottled just after my visit, the 2013 Côte Rôtie Chateau d’Ampuis is a smokin’ good wine in the vintage. Deep, concentrated and structured, with classic and masculine notes...
Wine Spectator, 93 points: Solid, with an ample core of plum cake, raspberry preserves and red licorice flavors, backed by sweet toast and warm fruitcake accents. Sappy grip on the finish. Best from 2018 through 2028. — J.M.
Antonio Galloni's Vinous, 94 points: (93-94 points) Tasted in components: #1, mostly Gerine, all destemmed: Zesty red fruit and floral aromas and flavors, with a mineral element providing spine and lift. Supple and seamless, with strong finishing cling. #2...
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