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, 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...
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...
TheWineCellarInsider.com, 96 points: Lush, opulent, ripe, deep fruits with loads of pepper, black cherry, fig and plum are all over the place. Concentrated, big and mouth filling, the wine has depth, length and staying power. The new oak used during the...
Wine Spectator, 94 points: This energetic red offers a big ball of kirsch wound tightly with licorice, graphite and raspberry coulis notes. Shows lots of bright spice accents through the finish, which is carried by finely beaded acidity. Offers...
jebdunnuck.com, 97 points: The 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes carries a deep ruby/purple-tinged color as well as a classic bouquet of black raspberries, ground pepper, garrigue and hints of graphite. Gorgeously pure, elegant and seamless...
jebdunnuck.com, 100 points: The top cuvée from Delas is the 2015 Hermitage Les Bessards, and it's always 100% Syrah from the steep, broken granite soils of the Bessards lieu-dit. Aged 18 months in 30% new barrels, its purple/plum color is followed...
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...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 94 points: The 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Habemus Papam suffers only by comparison to the domaine's other micro-cuvées. It still delivers lovely cherry and stone fruit notes, medium to full body and ample concentration. The tannins...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 96 points: The 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Chaupin is all Grenache, 40% whole cluster, aged in two-thirds foudre and one-third demi-muids and drawn exclusively from sandy sites. It showcases incredibly lush, silky fruit...
Wine Spectator, 97 points: A total stunner, with a long, pure beam of raspberry and red currant coulis streaming through, flanked by light violet, iron and incense notes before picking up lilting rooibos tea and rose petal accents on the...
Vinous, 92 points: Brilliant ruby. Bright and focused on the nose, displaying spice- and mineral-tinged red berry, cherry and floral scents that pick up smoke and cracked pepper nuances as the wine opens up. Juicy and light on its feet...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 93 points: Partially destemmed, vinified in concrete and raised in foudre, this is a super effort among the entry-level 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape. It's 80% Grenache Noir (worth making the distinction because there is some Grenache...
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...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 93 points: Richly concentrated and velvety in texture, the 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape La Reine des Bois is a full-bodied blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 5% Syrah and 5% split between Vaccarese and Counoise. While it's not the...
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...
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Greatly appreciate the availability of 6 months free temperature controlled storage of wines I purchase. An important consideration in choosing to purchase from JJ Buckley. Also appreciate the availability of older vintages...
-Robert S., May 2018
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