The Rhone: Northern Lights

…it's a medium-bodied, polished, elegant, satisfying Crozes revealing terrific purity in its red and blue-tinged fruits as well as sappy herb, floral, and peppery nuances. This is classic, lively, old school, yet elegant Syrah all the way. It's going to evolve for 7-8 years or more. JEB DUNNUCK, jebdunnuck.com

…Vinified from fully destemmed and certified organic grapes, it unwinds with bright raspberry, black cherry, hints of blackcurrant and earthy undertones. Medium- to full-bodied, concentrated and round, the 2022 is enveloped by polished tannins, closing with good drive on the sapid finish. NICOLAS GREINACHER, vincous.com

An impressive wine, broad, textural and layered, with such brightness at the center. Dark cherries, blueberries, violets, grilled meat, dried herbs, ashes and warm spices on the nose. It's full-bodied with finely grained tannins. There is a brightness at the center, with crunchy blue fruit and violets mingling with the spices under the watch of a solid frame of finely grained tannins. Structured and harmonious on the broad, dense, textural and focused palate. Such intensity and drive, always in control and with a very refined texture. So much depth and layers funneling trough a vibrant, spicy, flavorful and very long finish. (98) STUART PIGGOT, jamessuckling.com

The 2022 Hermitage will be terrific, if not up with the finest from this estate. Darker currants, roasted meats, leather, and peppery spice notes all define the aromatics, and it's a big, broad-shouldered Hermitage with terrific mid-palate density, ripe tannins, and outstanding length. JEB DUNNUCK, jebdunnuck.com

Wild strawberry and thyme notes make for a fairly light, perfumed style. Has some concentration of fruit, with more blackberry on the palate and cassis. Smooth tannins, well-balanced acidity and low alcohol, this is a charming and approachable style of Hermitage that can be enjoyed in its youth. MATT WALLS, decanter.com

The 2022 Hermitage bursts with prominent orange blossom, crushed violets, wood spice, blackcurrant and splashes of espresso. Majestic and bold, it hits the palate with elevated flavor concentration and remarkable intensity. If all comes together as it should, the 2022 will turn into a Hermitage of real substance and class. NICHOLAS GREINACHER, Vinous

 

Fermented with roughly 10% whole clusters, the 2023 Vin de France Grenade aged for six months in stainless steel tanks. Black-fruited, round and refreshing, the strait-laced 2023 touches the palate with lifting freshness and finishes with moderate length. NICOLAS GREINACHER, Vinous

The 2022 Saint-Joseph L'Olivaie originates from up to 80-year-old vines in the lieu-dit of the same name. Black cherry, blueberry, pencil shavings and discrete cedar elements are all pushed forward. Medium-bodied and juicy, the 2022 is shaping up to be an excellent, structured Saint-Joseph with the potential for extended bottle-aging. NICHOLAS GREINACHER, Vinous
 
A pure, perfumed wine, the 2022 Saint Joseph l'Olivaie reveals aromas of plums, dark berries and dark cherries mingled with lovely menthol notes. Medium to full-bodied, layered and textured, it's seamless with a fleshy core of fruit, velvety tannins and a long, dark berry-inflected finish. Destemmed, it's matured for 15 months in barrels, of which 15% were new. YOHAN CASTAING, The Real Review

Based on 100% Marsanne, the 2023 Saint Joseph Silice Blanc reveals melon, honeyed flowers, spice, and toasted notes, showing impressive purity and cleanliness. It's fleshy on the palate, with beautiful balance and good purity, and while it has a slightly hazy color, it remains an impressive white. Drink bottles over the coming 4-6 years. Drink 2025-2031. JEB DUNNUCK

A juicy, lively and bright Saint-Joseph with a floral edge to the aromas of white peaches, dried lemons and fennel. Medium-bodied and well composed, with fresh acidity and a long, savory finish. Drink or hold. JAMES SUCKLING

Crafted from 15 different plots and matured for 14 months in used barrels, the 2023 Cornas reveals an enticing, elegant bouquet of spices, mulberries and flowers. Medium to full-bodied, gourmand and fresh, it's elegantly layered with a juicy core of fruit framed by velvety tannins. Concluding with a long and ethereal finish, this attractive, well-crafted wine was fermented with 15% whole bunches. YOHAN CASTAING, The Wine Advocate

The first thing you notice is the bright purple hue, got a glossy sheen to it. A diverse and complex mix spice, earth, wet rock, raw meat, blue and red fruits that oscillate between super ripe and snappy. Lots of sweet and savoury characters form the core of this beautifully framed, sumptuous and alluring expression of Cornas. Ample concentration here but it feels upbeat and almost light on its feet, for a wine with so much supressed power. The tannins have that grit and grip we need to see from this place, but they are perfectly ripe and balanced by the abundance of crushed berry fruit that saturates the mid palate. Throughout it all are the darker, brooding, raw elements of Cornas, a prominent sanguine aspect tinges things and the deeply earthy minerality surges up to greet the rest of the wine as it comes towards the lengthy finale that is a swirling array of all the elements that compose this classically wild and beautiful wine. I love it. ROSCOE

Produced from mix-planted Marsanne and Roussanne, the 2023 Saint-Péray has a delicately perfumed bouquet of white flowers, pear and white peach mingled with almonds notes. Medium-bodied, enrobing and juicy, it's fresh and delicate with an enveloping texture and a lively, saline finish. Matured entirely in stainless steel, it can age gracefully. YOHAN CASTAING, The Wine Adovcate

A well-crafted, textural and layered Cornas with aromas of dark berries, currants, wild herbs, earth and baking spices. It’s medium-bodied with finely grained tannins. So much concentration and focus. Poised and well driven, with a bright fruit character toward the flavorful finish. Drink or hold. (93) JAMES SUCKLING

A field blend, produced from 50 % Marsanne (planted mid 1950s) and 50 % Roussanne (younger vines) planted in decomposed granitic soil at Les Vessettes on the slope above the town of Chavanay. Barrel-fermented with natural yeasts and matured in barrique for 8 months, without battonage. Only 355 dozen produced. A richer style of Saint Joseph blanc which retains good freshness and acidity and balance. Outstanding in 2022.

100% Syrah from 20 year old vines also from the lieu-dit of Les Vessettes on decomposed granite above the town of Chavanay. The wine was fermented with about 40% whole bunches to produce an elegant floral style of Syrah. Easily the richest and most impressive vintage we have tasted of this wine yet kept on skins for just 2 weeks before cuvaison. Matured in older barriques for 12 months before bottling without fining or filtration. 800 dozen produced. Brilliant wine in 2022 with more depth and structure than previously and will age well too.

2022 dark red; plum fruit, rose-floral airs, a nose with a genuine N Rhône Syrah aroma. The palate is well made, fits well together, has a flavour of intense red berry, raspberry coulis, red fruit gums, cooked fruits, has sure length, late salting. It actually gains reduction after 90 minutes! JOHN LIVINGSTONE-LEARNMONTH


The Albéric Red Crozes-Hermitage comes from old vines, approximately 70 years old, from three parcels on red clay soils close to the famed Hill of Hermitage. The fruit is de-stemmed and crushed to temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks for fermentation over about 20 days. Extraction is by both remontage (pumping over) and pipeage (plunging) depending on the vintage and character of the fruit. Towards the end of ferment the wine is racked to oak barrels (30 % new) for the malolactic conversion, followed by 12-14 months maturation.

 

Lots of red plums, darker cherries, violets, and peppery, lavender, and gamey notes emerge from the 2022 Crozes-Hermitage Étincelle, a medium-bodied, balanced, elegant Crozes-Hermitage that has fine tannins and a good spine of acidity. It's going to drink nicely on release yet evolve for 7-8 years. JEB DUNNUCK

Denis Basset's first release under his own label was in 2007. The Domaine was born out of vineyards owned by Denis' father who sold his grapes to the Tain Co-operative. The Domaine has 15 hectares over Crozes-Hermitage and St-Joseph dedicated to Syrah with some Marsanne and Roussanne. The vineyards are farmed organically, manual harvest, ferments are in stainless steel without stems and élevage takes place in oak casks, the new population is maintained at 15%.

Using grapes from 40-year-old vines and fermented with 100% whole clusters, the 2022 Saint-Joseph Mairlant displays juicy black plum and black cherry notes, stemmy subtleties and spicy accents. Supported by ripe tannins providing solid structure, the 2022 is a medium- to full-bodied red Saint-Joseph that’s going to age really well. NICHOLAS GREINACHER

Lively aromas of fresh black/blue fruits, olive and pungent flowers are complemented by a building mineral quality. Incisive boysenberry, bitter cherry and floral pastille flavors stain the palate and become sweeter and deeper with air. Rich but well-balanced and energetic, finishing with sharp detail and a lingering floral note shaped by smooth tannins. Aged in a mix of concrete tanks and oak barrels. JOSH RAYNOLDS, Vinous

Ripe raspberry, black cherry, cedar, leafy gradations and licorice introduce the expressive 2021 Cornas Signature Verset. Medium- to full-bodied, concentrated and layered, the 2021 totally shines in this challenging vintage. Give it another two years in bottle for the ripe yet grippy tannins to mellow. NICHOLAS GREINACHER

The vines are located in the heart of Cornas on 5 plots (Mazard, Champelrose, la Côte, les Côtes and a small part of Reynard).Practicing organic with emphasis on biodiversity. The grapes are harvested manually.Whole cluster fermentation lasting 2 weeks with manual punching down (in the morning) and pumping over (in the evening). After devatting, the plots are assembled. Aged 15 months in 3-8 year-old oak barrels of 225-440L from several French coopers.

 

Vines located in the lieu-dit of "Revirand" on the plains of Saint Peray on the Right Bank of the Rhone River. Historically these lands produced apricots, but Verset planted this vineyard in 2020 dominated by galets roulets or rolled pebbles

Practicing organic with emphasis on biodiversity. Wildflowers and assorted vegetation such as clover and grains are sowed between vine rows and then roller crimped to decompose and add nutrients back to the soil. The grapes are harvested manually. Whole cluster fermentation lasting 2 weeks with manual punching down (in the morning) and pumping over (in the evening). Aged 50% in barrels and 50% in vats for 6 months in 400L and 600L oak barrels from several French cooperages of. The barrels are 4 to 6 years old