Proprietary Blend from France

View From The Cellar, 96 points: Ducru-Beaucaillou has recently re-released several vintages from the era when there was some sort of TCA contamination (in my opinion) in the cellars here, such as there was in Cuné’s property of Contino. The refurbished...

TheWineCellarInsider.com, 95 points: Earthy, robust, animalistic, meaty, fruity and fresh, this is already a delight. The ripe berries are accompanied by layers of herbs, pepper, spice and garrigue. Full-bodied with layers of ripe plums and cherries, the...

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 93 points: Revisited from magnum with another year in bottle, the early 2018 disgorgement of Palmer's NV Blanc de Blancs Brut has continued to improve. Wafting from the glass with a toasty bouquet of citrus oil, orchard fruit, bee...

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 93 points: 93+ The 2016 Lirac Domaine du Clos de Sixte is a terrific wine, easily the rival to many Châteauneufs from across the river, starting with its alluring aromas of flowering garrigue and ripe cherries. A blend of 50%...

Vinous, 95 points: (94-95 points) Bright ruby-red. A complex, highly perfumed bouquet evokes ripe red/blue fruit, Moroccan spice and potpourri aromas that are enlivened by a vibrant mineral quality that builds as the wine stretches out...

jebdunnuck.com, 95 points: (93-95+ points) The flagship cuvée, which comes from older vines on the lower plateau around the estate, the 2017 Gigondas Hautes Garrigues has a big chunk of Mourvèdre in 2017 (60% Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre brought up...

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 95 points: A rich, mouthfilling effort, Vieux Donjon's 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape is concentrated and velvety, showing plenty of power and weight. Ripe cherries and raspberries are dusted with clove and star anise, then joined by...

Wine Enthusiast, 98 points: Compared to this producer's sunny Chaupin, shades of earth and fiery spice lend a sultry flair to this heart-stopping Grenache-blend (augmented by small proportions of Syrah, Mourvèdre and others). Flavors of cassis and...

Vinous, 92 points: Diaphanous pink. Bright and focused on the nose, displaying fresh red berry and citrus zest scents that are complemented by suggestions of succulent flowers and chalky minerals. Dry and lithe on the palate, offering juicy...

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 96 points: Now that it has been in bottle a while, the 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reservee is looking even better than I projected based on last year's prebottling sample. It's all violets, cherries, subtle allspice and clove...

Wine Enthusiast, 92 points: Plummy cassis and black-cherry flavors are rich and rounded in this open-knit blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah sourced from stony red-clay terraces. It's concentrated in fruit but seductively earthen...

jebdunnuck.com, 93 points: (91-93+ points)A step up, with more depth and density, the 2018 Rasteau Les Argiles Bleues is a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah that was brought up in foudre. Incredibly pure notes of cassis, black raspberries, new...

Decanter, 95 points: Paul and Vincent Avril, a father and son team, established themselves as one of the finest producers of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Despite being predominantly Grenache, it is reminiscent of an elegant northern Rhône Syrah with...

jebdunnuck.com, 95 points: (95+ points) The 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Renaissance from Cristia is a beauty! A normal blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre that comes from old vines planted in sandy soils, it reveals a medium ruby/purple color as...

TheWineCellarInsider.com, 90 points: Earthy, with plush, polished, ripe tannins, fresh, sweet, ripe, red fruits and a nice, purity in the soft textured, pure, kirsch finish. Read more...