The Rhone Vs The Vale

Soft and silky in style, enjoyably full-bodied, this is ripe, with ample fruit, balanced alcohol and good acidity. Altogether harmonious and very drinkable, this is an elegant style of Vacqueyras that comes highly recommended. DECANTER

As to the red from this great estate, the 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape checks in as a classic blend of 75% Grenache and the rest Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault that raised in concrete and foudre. It shows the perfumed, ripe, yet also elegant style of the vintage and has beautiful red and black fruit, some classic Provençal, spicy, garrigue nuances, medium to full body, a great mid-palate, and ripe tannins. It's going to a forward, approachable Vieux Donjon that will also evolve for 10-15 years if well stored. JEB DUNNUCK

Vieux Donjon's style is just what Châteauneuf du Pape needs more of - this is a wine that leans on tradition, unobscured by oak, heavy extraction or the belief that more is better. Vivid ruby in the glass, the nose bursts forward with freshly pressed cherries, raspberry coulis and wild strawberries. The palate is silky, rounded by the vintage's warmth but never heavy or hot. The tannins are ripe and knit into the fruit, propping it up with a lightly chalky texture that adds salinity and savour. This is a serious Grenache led blend, but it is simply delicious to drink despite its youth. The sheen of red berries lingers on the finish together with a hint of white pepper and more saline spice. Excellent - you could drink it now but it will doubtless age for 15+ years THOMAS PARKER MW

As is custom at this address, the 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape spent one year in old oak foudres. Neatly blending 75% Grenache with 10% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah and 5% Cinsault, it unwinds with notes of violet, forest strawberry, licorice, black cherry and graphite. Open-knit and inviting, the 2022 is gently framed by ripe tannins that won't need as much time to mellow as in 2020 or 2019. Finishing on a savory note, this expressive Châteauneuf comes highly recommended. NICOLAS GEINACHER, Vinous

Tasted blind. Bright and vibrant nose, with purple fruit and cassis. The tannins are firm and densely compact. Sweet fruit and a rich, layered mid palate. Young, primary and in need of many years to resolve the firm tannins; but there is huge potential here! JANCIS ROBINSON MW

An excellent example of classic Châteauneuf richness that shows good balance and energy. Juicy black raspberry, licorice and ganache are wrapped around a ballast of graphite shavings, while the refined structure reins in the warm, mouthcoating palate. Hints of grilled herbs, brown bread and lavender smoke detail the long, textured and mineral-rich finish. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Best from 2026 through 2038. WINE SPECTATOR

Located in Gigondas, in the south of the Rhône Valley, Domaine La Roubine grows several emblematic grape varieties of the region, such as Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. In addition to these grape varieties, the estate also grows rarer varieties such as Cinsault and Counoise. Eric and Sophie Ughetto offer this Côtes du Rhône on the Sablet Rouge communal appellation "Grange des Briguieres". This cuvée is distinguished by its ruby purple colour and its greedy aromas of red and black fruits.

Lurid ruby color. There are ripe red fruit, flora, incense and exotic spice qualities on the expansive, mineral-accented nose. Juicy, polished and alluringly sweet, this Gigondas displays seamless texture to its intense Chambord, cherry-cola, lavender pastille and Asian spice flavors, which convey a suave blend of power and delicacy. The mineral and floral notes carry through a strikingly long, precise finish that's given shape by delicate, well-knit tannins. Raised in a combination of Stockinger oak foudres and clay amphoras. (93-95) JOSH RAYNOLDS, Vinous

What can be thought of as the classic cuvée and from eight different vineyards throughout the appellation, the 2021 Gigondas Aux Lieux-Dits is 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 5% Cinsault, and 5% Syrah that was not destemmed and was brought up in a mix of foudre and amphora. Blackberries, raspberries, peppery herbs, and underbrush all define this medium-bodied, elegant, Burgundian Gigondas, which has fine tannins and a terrific sense of elegance. I like its overall balance, and it should have a decade of longevity. JEB DUNNUCK

72/13/8/7% grenache (Rayner site and the Trott Vineyard)/mataro (Willunga)/shiraz (Rayner)/counoise (Rayner). There’s some bunch in the grenache, and the wine was raised in 1700–2700L vats. The medium-weighted, accessible, everyday drinking red from Bondar, a wine made to fit the climate and culture of the region. And this nails it, again. Red fruits, pomegranate, cranberry, tart raspberry, rose petals, a background of dried herbs and spice. But it’s no disposable vin de soif, so informed it is by fine tannic detail, crunchy acidity and lingering flavour resonance. Such a beautiful thing. (95) MARCUS ELLIS, Halliday Wine Companion

I tasted this informally at the (very nice) Bondar cellar door back in January, and I liked it then. This is Grenache (73%), Mataro (12%), Shiraz (8%) and Counoise (7%).

Raspberry, spice, some floral notes and dried herb. It’s medium-bodied, a fresh and juicy wine, red fruits with something of a nutty character, a light grip to tannin, a little smudgy on the finish (in a nice sort of way mind you), a subtle aniseed and herb flavour closes it out. Pretty good length too. A nice drink we have here. Easy to enjoy. GARY WALSH, The Wine Front

 

A gourmand, pure and perfectly crafted wine, the 2022 Cotes du Rhone from Domaine Charvin offers up aromas of iris, violet, dark wild berries and cherries. Medium-bodied, juicy and round, it's fresh and delicate with a long, ethereal and fresh finish. YOHAN CASTAING, The Wine Advocate

The 2022 Côtes Du Rhône Le Poutet checks in as 81% Grenache, 15% Syrah and Mourvèdre, and the remaining 4% Carignan. Coming from the sandy soils just across the border from Châteauneuf du Pape, near the estate in the northwest sector of the region, its medium ruby hue is followed by a classy bouquet of ripe red fruits, herbes de Provence, sandalwood, and hints of white pepper. I love its overall balance, and it's medium-bodied, elegant, has fine, polished tannins, and outstanding length. It will shine for a solid decade. JEB DUNNUCK

40-year-old vines grown sand and grey river galets on a little hill on the other side of Courthézon, near the Ouvèze river.
A slippery grenache high on raspberries, dried herbs and sweet spices. The palate is awash with red berries and spices, boasting a rich velvety core of fruit. A backbone of tannins is ribbed by complex flavours from whole bunch and old vines that add flavour and structure. Signs off with pleasing dark chocolate tannins. This is a mighty Cotes du Rhone that rates high on the pleasure scale. GABRIELLE POY

Notes on previous vintage
Black fruit, raspberry jam, quite meaty and nutty, a little spice and dried herb. It's medium to full-bodied, quite savoury with meat, dried herbs and black olive, some juiciness to red and black fruit too, with firm grainy tannin grip, balanced acidity, and a dry, spicy and nutty finish of good length, some bitter dark chocolate in the aftertaste. Kind of robust and chewy, but a good wine all up. GARY WALSH

Stacks of blackberry and mulberry fruit are married to the generous body with lovely freshness. The rather fine tannins build nicely at the long licorice finish. Excellent energy at the long, powerful yet fresh finish. Drink or hold. JAMES SUCKLING

SPECIAL VALUE Half from Blewitt Springs (80-year-old vines) and half further south; 20% whole bunch, with 10 months in seasoned oak. As always, a clear bottle and a pale hue, speaking to application perhaps. And yes, immediacy seems the remit, the wine bright and forward, but thoughtfully so. It's spicy and zippy, sans confection, filigreed in texture, with a sour-fruited, rhubarb-laced tension adding complexity, a graphite mineral note elevating further. This fits the – sometimes tiresome – warm-climate pinot noir comparison, but it also shouts grenache, the arriviste that we should all be paying more attention to. A delight. (93) MARCUS ELLIS, Halliday Wine Companion

It’s packaged in a clear bottle which gives an idea of style.

Red fruit, spice, distinct floral perfume, some spicy sausage and light smokiness. It’s light in body, quite frisky, red fruits and dried herb, some orange peel, a positive gentle pumice stone grip to tannin, with a bright and tangy finish of good length. Nice. Easy to drink, but also has a fair bit of complexity. All the nouveau/joven things here, and done very well too. GARY WALSH, The Wine Front

Off the Rende vineyard in Blewitt Springs, leased and exclusively managed by Michael Corbett; 60% whole bunch with maturation in a concrete sphere and seasoned puncheons. Trademark Vanguardist; this is savoury, subtle, structured, tense yet tensile. Dried cranberry and redcurrant, cherry, pressed wildflowers, warm russet earth, dried and ground orange peel, caraway and white pepper, a crunch of autumn leaves. As said, it's savoury, but it has plenty of upfront charm, too. I've perhaps worn this analogy out, but the nebbiolo echoes are resounding, if it is also decidedly, unquestionably varietal. Excellent, and great value. (95+) MARCUS ELLIS

...this is 60% whole bunch, old puncheons and a 1500L concrete sphere. Rende vineyard, Blewitt Springs. 50+ year old vines.

Cherry, peanuts, mint and dried flowers, spice. It’s medium-bodied, an earthy and savoury character, a little meaty too, with fine-grained dusty tannin grip, a pomegranate tang in with red berries, nutty, spicy and peppery on a finish of excellent length. It’s lighter and breezier than the V Grenache, and I’d expect that’s kind of the point. Very nice. So stylish. (94) GARY WALSH, The Wine Front

SPECIAL VALUE Four bush-vine vineyards in Blewitt Springs, planted in 1930, ’39, ’40 and ’52 make up 49% of the blend, with the ’22-planted Smart vineyard in Clarendon the balance. A range of ferments, with 37% whole bunch in the final wine and up to six weeks on skins. Pale, pretty, savoury, complex. There’s such detail in the wines at this address, so synergistically aligned with fruit and site reflections. Wild cherry, rose oil, white pepper, blood orange, souk spices, rhubarb. There’s much thought to layers, both of flavour and texture in this mid-weight wine. It’s a fine example of why intensity has nothing to do with weight. There’s exceptional drinking to be had here. (95) MARCUS ELLIS, Halliday Wine Companion

Blewitt Springs and Clarendon here.

Red cherry, raspberry, almond, rosy, rosemary, spice, pear drops. Medium-bodied, red fruit, almond and spice, a fine emery grip to tannin, a certain succulence here, though it keeps itself neat, with a cool finish of excellent length. A lovely wine of style and charm. (95) GARY WALSH, The Wine Front

Light, bright purple-red colour with a lifted fragrance of red cherry and spices, touches of raspberry and red licorice. Fine silty tannins are gentle and harmonious. A delicious lighter style grenache that drinks superbly now. Fragrant, high-energy wine. (All Blewitt Springs & Clarendon fruit. Gold medal and guest judge's trophy, 2025 McLaren Vale Wine Show) HUON HOOKE, The Real Review

The Vanguardist calling card, the defining wine. Deeply savoury and intense, layered, detailed, chiselled, seriously complex. The vintage conditions were a little easier in '24 than '23, with a little more warmth, but this continues the Vanguardist upward trajectory with a theme of transparency, elegance and refined detail. Dehydrated cranberry and goji, barberry, amaro herbs and spicing, dried citrus peel, rye, caraway, pumpernickel, sun-warmed terracotta, pressed wildflowers. A sour-fruited tension to flavour and structure runs through it. It’s a wine that is so captivating on the nose, so intense and layered, that it is almost enough as is. But the palate, the chewy, pithy, silty, sandy tannins, the tamarind acidity, the haunting persistence … Another beautifully beguiling world-class grenache from Mr Corbett. Bravo. (97+) MARCUS ELLIS, Halliday Wine Companion

I just had winemaker Michael Corbett in the house to run through his new releases (available April 1). He’s a very passionate man, and his attention to detail in the vineyard and winemaking process is almost obsessive. I suggested he might like to taste this wine from a Conterno Sensory glass and he thought that was a very good idea (to paraphrase). This is matured in two 22HL Slavonian foudre, which are now seven years old. Two thirds whole bunch. From the Rende Vineyard in Blewitt Springs, which is now over 55 years old. This is a lighter, more frisky expression of Vanguardist Grenache, in the way of 2023, though with a bit more oomph, but less richness, tannin and stuffing than, say, 2019 and 2021. Not a comment on quality, more a guide to style.

Raspberry, cherry, almond, spice, slight liquorice richness, dried roses. Medium-bodied, spicy, cherry and raspberry, savoury and gently earthy, a fine grainy richness to tannin, a cranberry freshness to acidity, with a nutty strawberry and spice finish of excellent length. Wonderful finesse and perfume here. Give it a couple more years to come up. (96) GARY WALSH, The Wine Front

60% Grenache, 40% Mouvèdre on deep sands and sandstone.
Notes of strawberry, black raspberries, pine, sandalwood and a hint of ground black pepper in this ripe but restrained blend. A full-bodied and concentrated wine that maintains remarkable vibrance and acidity throughout. Fine-grained tannins accentuate its youthful appeal. Supple mouthfeel, we love the generosity of mid palate filled with ripe black berries and blue fruits and spices. Beautiful Lirac for all lovers of great Southern Rhone reds.

About the wine: Antarès is the main star of the constellation of Scorpio. One of the basic principles of biodynamics is to work in harmony with cosmic rhythms. Antarès is a selection of vines located on hillsides facing North, at the Western end of the Lirac appellation, at an altitude of 160m. The vines are 50 years old.

A single-varietal Grenache vinified from certified organic grapes, the 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Catarina displays ripe strawberry, licorice and raspberry together with leafy gradations. Medium- to full-bodied and enveloped in soft tannins, the 2022 is a well-balanced red that can be enjoyed right after release. NICOLAS GREINACHER, Vinous

Grenache from 90 to 100% depending on the vintage. The rest of the blend can be made of Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. The vines are 60 years old on average. Catarina is a blend of three different soil types : round pebbles, sand and limestone. The three plots are located in Colombis, Bois de la Ville and Grand Devès lieux-dits, near the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

 

 

From the estate’s 13-odd hectares of 1946-planted dry-grown bush vines. It’s a precious resource and is treated as such. The making is quiet: half crushed, half whole berries, gentle pump-overs, some long maceration to detail tannins, then old foudre, puncheons, ceramic eggs and amphorae. There’s a more generous feel to this release, with the year a tad warmer. Wild raspberry, ripe Bing cherry, warm terracotta, fading roses, fennel seeds and caraway. It’s a wine of intensity and grace, with the old vines yielding a silky charm to the feel and flavour intensity, with a finish of considerable verve and stylishly etched tannins. The last three releases are all so different, and all of the highest order. (95+) MARCUS ELLIS, Halliday Wine Companion

This is 1946 plantings Grenache.

Raspberry frogs, cherry, almond paste, spice and dried flowers, a subtle volatile lift adds a little frisson to it. Ripe red fruits, nutty and rich, fine silty tannin, dried cranberry, lots of perfume and character, with a fleshy finish of excellent length. Lovely wine. Perhaps a little slushy, but very nice all the same. (94) GARY WALSH, The Wine Front

Biodynamic. Sourced from an assortment of different terroirs—clay/limestone, galets roulés and sandy parcels—Mas de Libian’s airborne vin de soif is based on high-grown Grenache (75%) with roughly equal amounts of Mourvèdre and Syrah (all destemmed). There is also a little fruit from the estate’s decade-old plantings of two southern Rhône natives, Counoise and Vaccarèse and a splash of Couston (the natural offspring of Grenache and Aubun Noir).

There’s a short, five-day maceration, and the wine is raised exclusively in concrete tanks. Bottled unfiltered, with only a smidge of sulphur employed, Delicious, crunchy freshness is the name of the game here.

The new release is a typically vivacious Vin de Pétanque (is there any other?) and born to go with anything off a smoking grill. With more crunch this year, you get the wine’s silky sweet cherry and garrigue-laced huckleberry fruit folded up in snappy juiciness and superfine wispy tannin. A cracking release of the most irresistibly gulpable red we ship from France.

Green apple and pear, honey and herbs, a little spice. I like the chalky/flinty feel this wine offers, along with balanced acidity lending freshness, it’s a bit peanutty too, a subtle green herb bitterness, with a bright finish of good length. This is nicely turned out. GARY WALSH, The Wine Front

From Ben Lacey’s vineyard in Sellicks Hill, with vines grafted in '23 from Yangarra cuttings. There’s a new barrique in the mix here (fancy!), an unusual thing at this address. That only makes up 12.5% of the total oak, with the rest seasoned, and half the juice fermented cool in tank. It has an impact, though, as does the older oak, with a drying quality on the palate, along with pops of nougat, caramel and char. Yellow fruits, an orchard feel, apples, pears, heirloom lemon, the fruit feeling both briskly cool and ripe, the acidity tensioning effectively. MARCUS ELLIS, Halliday Wine Companion

Smart Vineyard. Clarendon. 100% whole bunch from a parcel of 1971 plantings. The balance from 1955 plantings, no bunch. 250 litres put into into a small ceramic egg for 169 days, and the balance into a seasoned old French puncheon. The final blend is 75% whole bunch from 1971 plantings, the rest from 1955 plantings. The end result is a miserly 624 bottles. Or a 100 six packs, give or take a few bottles sent to idiot wine critics.

Raspberry, sweet cherry, lots of exotic spice and perfume, mint tea and stony things. It delivers so much juicy red fruit and cherry, the texture is like suede, quite silky and slinky, a smattering of dried herb and dried roses, a peanut richness, spice and red fruits close out a finish offering succulence and excellent length, all satin and stones. It’s a sensual sort of wine, quite lavish and come-hither, but gee it’s good. GARY WALSH, The Wine Front

Bush vine, hand-picked, 15% whole bunch, 10 days on skins. 40% stainless, the remainder older oak. From 1968 plantings on the Blind Spot vineyard.

Spicy, aromatic, red cherry, red berries, cranberry, slight gum leaf and orange peel. Medium-bodied, spicy and hazelnutty, quite some chew to tannin, a bit of orange peel bitterness on the finish. Nice balance. Good wine. Like it. Gustatory. Good drinking. GARY WALSH, The Wine Front

SPECIAL VALUE From 50-year-old vines on the estate Blindspot vineyard, Blewitt Springs. A brilliant garnet in the glass, this is delightfully pure of feel, though with a little more generosity, a lower-gear drive than the single sites. There are some darker fruits, a violet note, iodine, iron, a rounding out of flavour from older oak maturation (70%). There’s drive and tension, too. Redcurrant gel, black cherry, dried hardy herbs, a little anise, with a savouriness to flavour and structure. It’s a fine introduction to the Willunga 100 grenache mission. MARCUS ELLIS, Halliday Wine Companion

Deep, bright purple colour; dried herbs, pot-pourri/dried floral aromas, the palate is bright, medium bodied and elegantly balanced with elevated acidity in the centre which is better balanced by the finish. Still very young, needs food, and will almost certainly develop more detail with a little more time. HUON HOOKE, The Real Review

80% Grenache with 10% Syrah and 10% Cinsault from vines on clay and limestone. Fruit is handpicked and destemmed. Fermentation temperature regulated around 24° in order to favour fruity aromas. 15-day-tank maceration of berries. Daily pump-overs for color, tannin, elegance and structure. Ageing both in wood and tanks. This is deliciously red and purple-fruited Rhone beauty has excellent concentration and structure for a CDR.

This is now from the Little Branch Vineyard.

Juicy raspberry and grilled meat, spice, mint and perfume. It’s a rugged wine, basso is apposite, a sappy and juicy thing, ripe cherry and liqueur-like flavour, black olive and dry grainy grip on a warm finish of good length. It’s hearty and savoury style, that’s also gently jubey too, if that makes sense. GARY WALSH, The Wine Front

Very earthy, 'rusty bucket', mineral aroma that reminds of nebbiolo—as does the structure. It's quite a full, tannic wine but the grip is right in context with the depth of savoury flavour. Approachable now and will make the most sense if partnered with protein. (94) HUON HOOKE, The Real Review

The Grenache (80% of the blend) and Syrah (20%) grapes selected for this cuvée are grown on poor, stony clay-limestone soils, which naturally limit yields and concentrate flavour.

Harvested by hand and vinified in the traditional manner. The wine is aged entirely in stainless steel vats to preserve its vibrant fruit character and freshness.

Richly concentrated and expressive, this classic Rhône red reveals intense aromas of blackberry and plum, with a touch of liquorice adding complexity. The palate is full-bodied and generous, finishing with a satisfying roundness and depth.

SPECIAL VALUE Sourced from Sue Trott’s vineyard in Blewitt Springs off dry-grown bush vines planted in '52; soils are deep Maslin sand over clay and ironstone; 10% whole bunch, the remainder destemmed; 10 days on skins; matured in stainless steel. From a hallowed site, this is a deeply layered expression, though so transparent of making. Fruits flow through red and into black, with some sour plums jostling with the redcurrant jelly and ripe wild-raspberry notes, Baharat spices, bergamot, tamarind paste and warmed star anise. Even at this early stage, there is a deeply meditative quality to the expression, a wine speaking clearly of fruit, place and a beneficial (if difficult) season. (96) MARCUS ELLIS, Halliday Wine Companion

Tasting three Grenache from three different sites, and while they share similar traits, they’re quite different in character, which is very encouraging, and as it should be. This is from 1952 plantings.

Ripe cherry, blackberry, black tea, dried herb and floral things, slight menthol. Medium to full-bodied, a more robust style with chewy tannin, lots of impact and presence, dark spices, raspberry and cranberry brightness, in with more emphatic ferrous things, and a firm finish of excellent length. Quite a wine. (95) GARY WALSH, The Wine Front