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.
jamessuckling.com, 96 points: Aromas of dried roses, garrigue herbs and red fruit with terrific purity and freshness. Lithe raspberries on the bright, even and crisp palate. Fabulous, fresh acidity, depth, length and power here. A kick of bitter herbs...
jebdunnuck.com, 97 points: The Chambolle-Musigny of the Rhône, the 2015 IGP Vaucluse from Jerome Bressy is a totally sensational blend of 50% Grenache and the balance a mix of Mourvèdre, Carignan, Counoise, Vaccarèse, Cinsault, Syrah, and Terret...
jebdunnuck.com, 94 points: I also loved the 2015 Crozes-Hermitage Cuvée Louis Belle which saw a traditional vinification followed by 20 months in French oak. Blackberry, currants, blueberries, violets and hints of black pepper give way to a rich...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 100 points: (WA 97-100 points) Tasting just like the Les Trois Source (they come from the same terroir), yet with just another level of polish and purity to its tannin and fruit, the sensational 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape Reserve...
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...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 97 points: (95-97) What will easily be one of the top wines in the vintage, the 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape Les Trois Source is the finest example of this cuvée I’ve tasted. Just massively concentrated and voluptuous, with a huge...
TheWineCellarInsider.com, 100 points: As the vines here continue aging, this wine has never been better! The wine blends concentration, depth, opulence, decadence and freshness. There is a s8blime sense of purity in the fruit here that must be tasted to be...
jebdunnuck.com, 100 points: The 2015 Hermitage Ex Voto Blanc is certainly in the same league as the 2009 and 2010, and it’s going to be interesting to compare these vintages over the coming 2-3+ decades. The 2015 has all the hallmarks of a great...
TheWineCellarInsider.com, 100 points: The incredible aromatics of sweet red and black cherries, blueberries, smoke, licorice, flowers, pepper and thyme are already seeking and keeping your attention. Rich, concentrated and intense, there is a beautiful sense...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 95 points: Consisting of one-third each Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, the 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Coralie et Floriane is a spectacular wine. It's a blend of lots from three different lieux-dits, each with a different soil type...
Wine Spectator, 95 points: Offers a delicious core of gently mulled blueberry, blackberry and black currant fruit that is matched by a mix of floral, mineral and singed spice notes throughout. The long chalky spine is well-buried on the finish...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 95 points: The 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Saintes Vierges is the most flattering of Santa Duc's current releases, offering lushness and generosity on the palate, notes of cherries and licorice, creamy-supple tannins and a...
Wine Enthusiast, 95 points: Intriguing notes of sandalwood, cacao bean and smoke intensify from nose to palate in this sun-drenched Syrah. Blackberry and cherry flavors are lush, wrapped in layers of baby-soft tannins and fresh but integrated...
jebdunnuck.com, 96 points: The 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Combe des Fous shows the seamless, silky side to the vintage, and has closed down slightly since I tasted it from barrel. Its big, intense nose of black cherries, blueberries, white chocolate...
Jancis Robinson's Purple Pages, 90 points: (17/20) Tasted blind. Slightly dull crimson. Lacks a bit of freshness on the nose. Very sweet and lightly spicy. Lots of spine and fine tannin. Chew on the end. Herby tannins. Needs a bit of time but this could deliver.
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