52% Grenache, 40% Shiraz, 8% Mourvedre, Screwcap closure. Les Courtilles (a series of small courtyards) is named after the village winery founded in 1997 by Bernard Schurr. The 2009 Les Courtilles Cotes du Rhone is sourced from 35 year old vines on the right bank of the Rhone between Orange and Avignon. The fruit was hand-harvested and completely de-stemmed before a long cold soak on skins and open fermentation in small concrete vessels, pumped over twice daily. The wine was transferred to stainless steel tank to finish fermentation before a further nine months maturation on lees in tank. The wine was bottled with minimal fining, filtration or sulphur addition.

2009 was an outstanding vintage across most of France.  The vineyard was characterised by consistency and an avoidance of extremes. The days were warm without being excessively hot and if water was not abundant, regular showers prevented drought. Crucial to the success of the vintage was cool Autumn nights that ensured acid retention. In a trio of classic Southern Rhone vintages, 2009 sits between the fruit focussed 2007v and the structured and long lived 2005v.

A lifted and attractive nose, very modern in style and unforced, with red berry aromas met by spice and dried herbs. The palate is likewise fruit focussed and vibrant with supple black berries, candied fruit and aniseed surrounded by soft savoury spice and fine tannins. Alcohol: 14.0%; Winemaker: Bernard Schurr

Stand aside, Guigal Cotes Du Rhone … this is the end of the line. For many years I’ve reckoned that Guigal Cotes du Rhone is one of the more over-rated wines on the market. It’s not expensive, so there’s no matter, but it’s regularly an ordinary wine riding on the back of a big brand reputation. It’s French too, and affordable, and it garners good reviews … a compelling combination, and hence it sells by the truckload. I’m not a great fan of the reds of the southern Rhone so I’m less susceptible to the pitch. But with the release of this new Les Courtilles, I can’t see any reason why you’d buy the Guigal – not that you can’t buy both, if you so desire.

Les Courtilles is a ripping wine at a sensational price. It’s fruity, spicy, firm and fresh, with classic regional sour-sweet cherry flavours and floral overdones. It has enough oomph, but not too much. It will appeal to lovers of Australian reds, and Euro-styled reds too. In short, it’s a beauty.  Rated : 92 Points Alcohol : 14% Price : $18 Closure : Screwcap Drink : 2011 - 2015 By Campbell Mattinson; The Wine Front

Les Courtilles Cotes du Rhone 2009; (Cotes du Rhone, France) $18.99; 14%; 4/5; 2009 was a cracking year in the Rhone Valley, and this blend of grenache, shiraz and mouvedre is cracking value. This has perfumed aromas of cherries, raspberries and blackberries, with notes of mineral and earth giving it some complexity. There’s a good intensity of flavour that you don’t always see in entry-level Cotes du Rhone with plum, sour cherry, raspberry, spice and dried herbs. Sandy tannins, juicy acid and a rich finish make this an easy wine to like. Food match \ Cassoulet; Ben Thomas; The Weekly Review

Les Seize Galets ‘The Sixteen Pebbles’ are the 16 legendary AOC villages dotted like stepping stones throughout the Rhône. For the last two centuries these historic villages have earned their reputation by producing wines based on quality and specific regionality. A feature of these vineyards is the use of large pebbles – galets – around the bases of the vines to absorb the heat of the sun during the day.

The vineyard, Les Seize Galets Condrieu is created solely from Viognier sourced from the Roche Courbe, Vollans and Chanson vineyards with an average age of forty years. The winemaker: Michel Tardieu

This wine was matured in new and one year old French oak (Allier and Tronçais) before being hand bottled with minimal filtration. A youthful but deep straw hue. Lifted orange blossom, dried apricots, with cinnamon spices and subtle oak. Layered and complex with tremendous fruit purity and mouth coating texture. Hints of roasted almonds and apricots. Very persistent. The hail considerably reduced the harvest – by up to 50% on certain hill sides. In spite of these extreme conditions, the wine attained a good level of quality. Cellar for 5 – 8 years. alc: 13.5% alc/vol

Powerful, yet light on its feet, a go-to luncheon wine with a beautiful red cored fruity, spice, peppery character. Score: 90-92 Points. Ben Edwards.

A bit of a legend with those in the know, with bright red berry fruit, lots of personality with a little anise and herb complexity to boot. Bloody brilliant. France, $24-$27; Tony Love, National Wine Writer, taste.com.au

The vines of the Châteauneuf estate average 45 years of age, and replanting of new vines takes place amidst the older vines in order to moderate the former's growth and productivity. All of the grapes at the estate are handpicked and then 90-95% de-stemmed before crushing, fermentation and aging. This is the first cuvee, which is typically 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre and spends 6-8 months in new oak before racking and then 6-8 more months in barrel. Look for this stylish wine to show robust flavors of dark cherry, crushed red berries and pepper with notes of chocolate and citrus peel on the nose, set in a ripe, integrated tannic structure and ending in a long, sweet finish.

Inky purple. Pure, enticing aromas of strawberry, raspberry, five-spice powder and lavender expand with air. Seamless and sweet, with pinot-like weight and texture to the fresh red fruit flavours and a late note of Asian spices. This is already quite attractive and will drink well on release. (Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar –91-94 points)

Exotic aroma of raspberry preserves, cherry pie, Asian spices and garrigue expands with air and picks up a deeper cherry quality. Spicy, mineral-driven red and dark berry flavors are impressively lithe and precise, with silky tannins lending support. This very fresh wine finishes with excellent clarity and spicy persistence. Score: 92 Points; International Wine Cellar

This has a core of dark plum and fig fruit, but it's pushed by a slightly high-toned black cherry and floral note, with hints of anise and black licorice checking in on the finish. Tangy for the vintage. Drink now through 2019. 2,000 cases imported. Score: 90 Points; James Molesworth, July 31, 2010; Wine Spectator

Wine Advocate #163 (Feb 2006)  Robert Parker 88 points  Drink 2006-2010. The chunky, fleshy 2003 Vacqueyras, a blend of equal parts Syrah and Grenache, is obvious and blatantly fruity, with plenty of alcohol as well as a heady, corpulent, full-textured finish. Drink it over the next 3-4 years. This 2004 was superior.
 
Wine Advocate #156 (Dec 2004)  Robert Parker (87-89) points  Drink 2004-2011. This heady, potent, deep plum/ruby-tinged 2003 Vacqueyras exhibits loads of fat, glycerin, sweet kirsch fruit, good purity, and a tell-tale display of Provencal herbs and ground pepper. Consume it over the next 5-7 years.

From 80 to 100 year old vines in Le Crau and Les Galimardes, Grenache represents 80% of this wine with the balance made up by Mourvèdre, Syrah, Counoise and Vaccarese. It has massive concentration, and is ripe and dense with anise, spice, liquorice, briary complexity and lashings of black fruits. The palate is loaded with sweet ripe dense black currant and black berry fruits it is rich and tannic with an incredibly powerful finish that somehow remains fresh.

Smoky, brooding bouquet with a lot of content; deep, sustained black fruits on palate, olives and southern herbs as well. Good life in this, it is open-sided with a fringe of tannin that works well. Broad and elegant, good juice in the texture. Good length, clear finish. I like its balance. From 2010. 2023-2026. John Livingston Learmonth

Packed with layers of fig, raspberry and blackberry confiture flavors, this is long and fleshy, with lots of racy graphite and sweet cocoa notes. The long, ripe defined finish shows great grip, with encores of fruit and minerality. Best form 2008 through 2025. 95 points. Wine Spectator

[This] has a wonderful, gorgeous black/purple color and a beautifully sweet nose of blackberries, scorched earth, graphite, tobacco leaf, and provecal herbs and spice. Inky, pure, full-bodied, and tannic with good acidity, this wine is going to require patience. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2025+. Sadly the tiny yields of Mordorée’s vineyards only produced 1250 cases. (94-96+) Robert Parker

Not surprisingly, the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape La Reine des Bois is another prodigious offering from this estate. A blend of 80% Grenache and the rest equal parts Mourvedre, Syrah, Counoise, and Vacarrese, it was aged 50% in stainless steel tanks and 50% in small oak barrels. The result is an inky/blue/purple-colored wine displaying a formidable nose of graphite, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, cherries, licorice, and violets. Full-bodied with exquisite depth, impressive purity, and a multilayered, sumptuous finish with moderate tannin, its purity, freshness, vibrancy, and precision are exceptional. Give it 2-3 years of bottle age and drink it over the following two decades. 96+ points Robert Parker

Stunning in its combination of density, purity and elegance. There's plenty of dark fig, cassis, pastis and crushed plum fruit, along with melted licorice, ganache and black tea notes. But the texture is supple, the tannins silky and the finish long and beguiling. Harnesses the precociousness of the vintage with true depth and length. Best from 2010 through 2030. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 96 points Wine Spectator

Inky ruby. The nose offers a highly complex, wild array of dark berry and floral scents, along with anise, herbs and smoky minerals. Utterly stains the palate with deep black and blue fruit flavors complemented by strong notes of lavender pastille and tobacco.  93-96 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

Roasted aromas of black cherry and smoke. Less fat but more spicy in the mouth, with superb richness. Super ripe suggestion of beefsteak tomato. More firmly built than the '97, but nearly as rich. Finishes with huge, palate-coating but ripe tannins and outstanding length. Rated: 92-94; Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Jan/Feb 00

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:  90 points 

Wine Spectator:  96 points 

Saturated medium ruby. Deep, highly concentrated aroma of black fruits, bitter chocolate, shoe polish and humus. Thick but bright on entry, then quite full and consistent through to the very long whiplash of a finish. Really stuffed with fruit, and beautifully balanced. Dense flavors of cassis, violet, bitter chocolate and Cuban tobacco. Substantial ripe tannins are thoroughly buffered by the wine fat. A great showing today. Jaboulet used helicopters to dry the fruit after the showers, then picked quickly. Rated: 93-95; Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Jan/Feb '01

Not giving much away on the nose: a touch of caramel, some herbs and a bit of raspberry fruit. The palate is quite closed with some wood influence evident: notes of caramel and spice, with some tannin also. It's not a particularly big wine – I’d describe it as medium bodied. Spicy finish. Disappointing at the moment. You'd have to hope that a wine like this will evolve some real complexity with time: after all, La Chapelle has quite a track record for this. Very good. wineanorak

Wine Spectator:  91 points 

The 2001 Hermitage La Chapelle looks to be a strong effort, perhaps the finest since 1997. This is welcome news as this can be one of the world’s greatest wines. After an extremely severe selection (something that may have been lacking in previous vintages), the 2001 boasts a deep ruby/purple color as well as a sweet nose of creme de cassis intermixed with licorice and earth. Full-bodied, sweet, rich, and moderately tannic, it should merit a score in the low nineties, a good sign after a succession of uninspiring efforts. Wine Advocate #147 (Jun 2003)  Robert Parker (90-92) points  Drink 2010-2020.

97 points-Wine Spectator

Dark ruby, almost opaque. Assertively fragrant nose combines pungent violet- and lavender-accented cassis, blueberry, cherry pit and graphite. Spicy dark fruit and mineral flavors shows an impressive sweetness that carries into the solidly tannic and very long finish. This boasts great depth and chewy texture, but the dominating impression today is of rich, powerful fruit. 92-95 points; International Wine Cellar

Very juicy, with nice drive to the black currant and boysenberry fruit, which is pushed by dark plum sauce, black licorice and sweet toast notes. The long, fleshy finish shows the polished grip of the vintage. Best from 2010 through 2022. 400 cases imported. 93 Points; Wine Spectator

A big step up from Jaboulet’s La Petite Chapelle, this is on a par with some of Jaboulet’s past efforts. It’s richly concentrated, yet nuanced, with notes of blood and mineral added to ripe cassis fruit and accented by hints of vanilla and spice. The tannins form an almost creamy texture in the mouth, and the finish lingers a good long time. Drink 2012–2025. 93 Points; Wine Enthusiast

Bright red. Impressively complex, exotic bouquet of dark berries, anise, botanical herbs and potpourri. Zesty minerality adds urgency to the deep blackberry and blueberry flavors, with a late kick of cracked pepper adding verve. The floral quality repeats on the long, sappy finish. Incidentally, Paul Feraud told me the Cuvee Laurence was never intended to be a super-cuvee, but rather a wine of extended elevage that he envisioned being better suited for early consumption. 93-96 Points; Stephen Tanzer

Really distinctive, with a gutsy, chewy frame supporting clove, blood orange, coffee, brick dust, macerated currant fruit, warm fig and hoisin sauce notes. The long, grippy finish has lots of mesquite, braised chestnut and spice notes. A classic throwback. Best from 2010 through 2030. 500 cases made. 95 Points; James Molesworth; The Wine Spectator

The 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reservee, still aging in foudres, was tasted from different lots. The most promising wine made here since the 2003, it is a full-bodied effort revealing dense, concentrated fruit, and high tannins that still need to be resolved. It will require some bottle age to round into drinking shape. The color is a dense plum/purple, and the wine shows considerable licorice, lavender, roasted herb, and meat juice characteristics, as well as a texture of beef blood - no doubt attributable to the old vines from which it is made. The fruit dominates, and the wine is intense, rich, and full-bodied. It will undoubtedly need 3-4 years of bottle age after its release, and should last 20-25 years based on the fact that their older vintages (i.e., 1979, 1981, 1983, and 1985) are all still in terrific condition. (Not yet released) Score: 94-96 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (185), October 2009
 
The 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reservee, tasted from multiple foudres, stylistically, looks to be a hypothetical blend of the 2003 and 1990. The 2007 is full-bodied and powerful, with high tannins, high extract, and tremendous color, stuffing, and richness. It is like drinking a liquified, rare grilled steak mixed with ground pepper, roasted herbs, and spice. Juicy and pure, it explodes with the aromas of Provence. Dense, rich, more structured than the 2003, sumptuous, and deep (in the style of the 1990), it should evolve for 20-25 years. The inimitable Feraud family, true guardians of the most traditional style of Provence and several Rhone appellations, is increasingly spearheaded by daughter Laurence, but her charismatic father, Paul, is always on the scene, with her mother, running the office. While Pegau's expanding production should be carefully watched, the talent is certainly there. Forgetting the estate wines, there are three levels of quality and price, including a new Tetra Pak in a liter package that is quite good. There are also the Selection Laurence Feraud, a negociant line of wines, and a second negociant line-up sold under the moniker Feraud-Brunel, which Laurence oversees along with Andre Brunel. 2007 is an undeniably great vintage for the Feraud wines. Score: 94-96 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (179), October 2008
 
Expressive aromas of black and blue fruits, Asian spices, smoked meat and lavender. Very fresh in the mouth, with lively blackberry and boysenberry flavors, velvety texture and a late note of cracked pepper. The smokiness carries through the long, sweet finish. Component #2: Full purple. More energetic than the first sample, with bright raspberry, cherry and floral aromas. Racy and focused, offering sweet raspberry and strawberry preserve flavors and tangy minerality. Gains weight and a smoky, meaty quality on the broad, sweet finish. The final blend should be exceptional. Score: 93-96 Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, January 2009

The essential Côtes du Rhône cépage of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. Perrin Pere & Fils have been managing some of the most highly prized vineyard sites along the Côtes du Rhône since 1909. To this day they retain the choicest parcels to vinify into exemplary regional wines. Sourced from the Perrin estate properties at Grand Prebois and Vinsobres, as well as fine vineyards leased under long term contract. Within Grand Prebois and adjacent leased land, the soils are limestone gravel clays. At Vinsobres the traces are rich in quartz and limestone marl. Following the harvest, bunches are destemmed, followed by temperature controlled fermentation in tanks. Treated to twelve months maturation in a combination of tank and oak casks before egg white fining and bottling.

Deep red colour The nose is ripe fruits, plums and blackcurrant, with liquorice, gingerbread and a hint of violet The mouth is round, elegant, juicy and supple, with a predominant taste of liquorice. The tannins are soft and polished. A beautiful rendition of Côtes du Rhône GSM to enjoy today alongside lamb, gruyere or pissaladière d'aubergine.

A sensational bargain, the 2009 Perrin et Fils Cotes du Rhone Reserve red is composed of 60% Grenache (from the estate vineyards at Prebois), 20% Syrah (from the estate vineyards in Vinsobres), and 20% Mourvedre. It offers lots of black cherry fruit, underbrush, licorice, pepper, and spice notes in a medium-bodied, richly fruity style with no hard edges. Their 2008 was a surprisingly good effort, but the 2009 is slightly riper and bigger. Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate

A real blockbuster is the 2007 Vacqueyras Cristins, a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah. Its deep ruby/purple hue is followed by a full-bodied bouquet of black cherries, black currants, licorice, grilled herbs, and roasted meats. Very Chateauneuf du Pape-like in its full-bodied power and intensity, it should drink well for 10+ years.

Beaucastel and its subsidiary wines marketed under the Perrin et Fils moniker are consistently among the bright shining stars of France. I have been visiting this estate for nearly thirty years, and over that time I have seen all the elements of what makes wines great – an incredible respect for the vineyards, a conscientious, uncompromising work ethic, and extraordinary passion for gentle handling of fruit from their sites. Brothers Jean-Pierre and Francois Perrin seem to be gradually inching closer to retirement as their sons take more and more of a front row seat in the running of this outstanding estate. This is a marvelous portfolio of wines, from the extraordinary values, to the top-end world classics. While one could say this is as traditionally run estate as can be found in western Europe, the Perrins are remarkably flexible if they sense that quality can be improved. Quality rises dramatically with the Perrin et Fils cuvees. The Cotes du Rhone Reserve wines are produced primarily from the estate vineyards at Grand Prebois and Vinsobres, with some purchased fruit from such Cotes du Rhone appellations as St.-Gervais. Marc Perrin, who is responsible for winemaking at Perrin et Fils, seems to go from strength to strength with this line of wines, which includes negociant bottlings as well as some from estate vineyards in Vinsobres. Wine Advocate # 179 Oct 2008 Robert Parker (90-92) Drink: 2008 - 2018

A blend of 50% Syrah and 50% Grenache. The color is a deep ruby with a purple edge. The syrah grape shows on the nose, with red fruit, black cherry and licorice. On the palate this combines power with elegance/ with its velvety, fleshy texture. The finish shows the lift typical of the cooler parts of the Rhône valley.

Another equal part blend of Syrah and Grenache is the 2007 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Vinsobres Les Cornuds, also from estate vineyards planted in limestone soils. The freshness of the vintage is well-displayed along with bracing acidity that buttresses substantial concentration, medium to full body, and a big, blue and black fruit-scented nose revealing hints of truffles, crushed rocks, violets, and spice. 90 Points; The Wine Advocate

#89 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2009

Very pure, with superracy red cherry, raspberry and violet notes that stretch out through the lengthy, graphite-filled finish. There's lovely, integrated acidity. Delicious. Drink now through 2011. 91 Points; Wine Spectator

Vinsorbes is one of 16 villages which are allowed to add their name to the Cotes du Rhone Villages appellation and lied in the Southern Rhone Valley. Les Cornuds is vinified traditionally by the Perrin family from 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah, with 35% aged in french oak and has a spicy peppery nose and lots of black fruit flavours. While it may be enjoyed now, it will improve over the next two years and will keep for five.

A blend of equal parts Grenache and Syrah, the 2009 Perrin et Fils Cotes du Rhone Villages Vinsobres Les Cornuds reveals abundant aromas of crushed rocks, spring flowers and blue as well as black fruits in its darker, more cool climate style. It is completely different from the Grenache-dominated wines from the warmer climates of Cairanne, Rasteau, Vacqueyras or Gigondas. The impressive, deep, rich Vinsobres Les Cornuds comes from high elevation (400 feet) vineyards, and should easily age for 10 years. Score: 90-93 Points; Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (191), October 2010

50/50 Grenache/Syrah. 35% aged in French oak. Noticeably darker than the Côtes du Rhône-Villages and noticeably fresher on the nose. Syrah's dark pepperiness more to the fore on the nose. Dark and withheld. Delicious combination of dense but bright fruit and lively acidity wth fine, dense tannins. Alcohol disappears in the energy of the fruit. Cool, fresh, savoury aftertaste leaving fine lingering tannins. Controlled ripeness. 17 Points; Jancis Robinson; Master of Wine

These are exciting times for Vinsobres. The higher location of the vines, allied to differing percentages of varietals in the blend, allows this newly-promoted village to show a point of difference from the warmer Grenache cuvées of the region. Les Cornuds is a fine example; lively acidity, a crushed rock and blackberry profile and Syrah pepper mark this out as an outstanding example. Simon Field; Master of Wine

Since the 17th century this Domaine which takes its name from the Grandmother’s side of the current owners is situated in the heart of the Vaucluse department. Fine producers of Côtes-du-Rhône rouge, blanc and rosé, however it is the Muscat Beaumes de Venise for which they are famous. Family wine makers Pierre Combe and Didier Guittet, respect tradition and the natural handling of their wine is simply an extension of their organic viticultural practices, hand picking and strict grape selection. The cépage of the Muscat Beaumes de Venise is Muscat petits grains; after a rigorous berry by berry selection the fermentation is long (15 days) and cool to preserve the aromatics, the fermentation is halted and the alcoholic degree increased to 15% by the addition of a clean and pure grape spirit. After two rackings to clarify the wine it is gently filtered prior to bottling.

The nose is beautifully aromatic and fresh evoking ripe peach, apricot and grape nuances; the fortification is first class as it is barely noticeable, the wine is loaded with delicate florals and elegance. The palate delivers perfect balance and harmony between the rich ripe, clean fresh sweet pineapple, mango and apricot flavors and the glycerol of the fortification and lovely finesse and acidity. Stays fresh once opened for four days!

Sabon is a great source of traditional Châteauneuf where the expression of fruit and terroir is everything and oak is treated with caution. Sabon makes wines of concentration, flesh and finesse utilising 70 year old foudrés for elevage. Generally they are wines for the medium term, 4 - 10 + years. In exceptional vintages such as 2001, Sabon produces ‘Le Secret Des Sabon’ which is a hedonistic and extraordinary wine, not to mention very rare.

Wine Advocate #156 (Dec 2004)  Robert Parker (89-91) points  Drink 2004-2014. The 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Olivets performed beautifully in this vintage. A classic Provencal red, it offers a dark ruby/garnet color as well as peppery notes of garrigue, new saddle leather, black cherries, plums, and figs, medium to full body, a supple texture, and loads of glycerin and fruit. This seductive effort can be drunk upon release or cellared for 7-10 years.
 
One of the reference estates of Chateauneuf du Pape for well over a decade, this domaine has been on fire qualitatively. Domaine Roger Sabon’s front man is the affable Jean-Jacques Sabon, an articulate spokesperson for not only his own wines, but for Chateauneuf du Pape. In most top vintages four cuvees are produced, and the 2003s’ performances puts them among the most successful wines of the appellation.

This is packed with deliciously ripe boysenberry and blackberry fruit, all laced with graphite, incense and Turkish coffee hints. Shows a nice edgy minerality through the ripe, muscular finish. Grenache and Syrah. Best from 2010 through 2020. 75 cases imported. Score: 93 Points; James Molesworth, The Wine Spectator

Tardieu-Laurent is one of the most highly acclaimed négociants in the Rhône. Its success began with a serendipitous meeting between Michel Tardieu and Dominique Laurent. The two formed a friendship in the early 1990s, which led to the formation of Tardieu-Laurent Vallée du Rhône Maison de Négoce. Beginning with the first vintage in 1994, the wines of Tardieu-Laurent have won the praise of collectors and critics alike. Today, while the two men continue to share an extraordinary friendship, Tardieu-Laurent is solely under Michel’s guidance and care. Located in Lourmarin, in the heart of the Luberon, Tardieu-Laurent crafts approximately 17 wines each year, two-thirds of which are produced in southern Rhône. The remaining wines are produced in northern Rhône. Wilson Daniels.

“The vintage of a lifetime” - Robert Parker, describing the 2007 vintage in Southern Rhône

"Michel Tardieu has exceptional knowledge about some of the finest vineyards and grape sources in both the northern and southern Rhone" - Robert Parker in The Wine Advocate, Issue 169

A 100% Grenache cuvee from the sandy soils of a 106-year-old, biodynamically farmed La Crau vineyard, and aged in both foudre and tank, the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Speciale is amazing. Abundant notes of melted licorice, kirsch liqueur, and flowers is followed by a full-bodied, seamlessly constructed wine with sensational purity, texture, depth, and length. The bad news is there are only 2,000 bottles. This 2007 should drink well for two decades or more. Wine Advocate # 179 Oct 2008 Robert Parker (94-96 points) Drink: 2008 - 2028

This is gorgeous, with wood spice and tobacco notes leading the way for a massive core of black Mission fig and warm currant preserve flavors. This has the opulent fruit of the vintage, but maintains an edgy minerality as well. The long finish ripples with lavender and black tea. 100 percent Grenache, no destemming. Best from 2010 through 2023. 125 cases imported. Score: 95 Points; James Molesworth, The Wine Spectator

Tardieu-Laurent is one of the most highly acclaimed négociants in the Rhône. Its success began with a serendipitous meeting between Michel Tardieu and Dominique Laurent. The two formed a friendship in the early 1990s, which led to the formation of Tardieu-Laurent Vallée du Rhône Maison de Négoce. Beginning with the first vintage in 1994, the wines of Tardieu-Laurent have won the praise of collectors and critics alike. Today, while the two men continue to share an extraordinary friendship, Tardieu-Laurent is solely under Michel’s guidance and care. Located in Lourmarin, in the heart of the Luberon, Tardieu-Laurent crafts approximately 17 wines each year, two-thirds of which are produced in southern Rhône. The remaining wines are produced in northern Rhône. Wilson Daniels.

“The vintage of a lifetime” - Robert Parker, describing the 2007 vintage in Southern Rhône

"Michel Tardieu has exceptional knowledge about some of the finest vineyards and grape sources in both the northern and southern Rhone" - Robert Parker in The Wine Advocate, Issue 169