Tour De France Tasting

A lovely lift of red cherries, pomegranate and white nectarines leads into a fleshy and textured core. Subtle herbal tones of fennel and dried thyme and wild strawberries join in the chorus too. There's presence and intensity thanks to the riper 2022 vintage, balanced by a spine of chalky acidity. Pleasing phenolics on the finish add a tantalising chew, like biting through peach skins. A hint of white pepper to finish adds a twist (reminds me of adding pepper to strawberries, shouldn't work but it does!). Keep this delightful thirst slaker on hand this summer. GABRIELLE POY, PWS

The 2022 Riesling Roche Calcaire is harvested across the limestone soils of the estate from vines that do not make it into the single vineyards. In 2022, this was restricted to the marl and limestone soils of the village of Gueberschwihr, around the Goldert Grand Cru, a site that Humbrecht calls "virtually drought-proof." The nose still flickers with yeasty funk and lovely, flinty reduction, but even this funkiness does not obscure the vibrant lemon and orange peel. The palate is fresh but so buffered, with stunning limestone smoothness wrapping itself around a central vein of bright freshness. This is lip-smacking and approachable. It's friendly and bright already. The finish shines with a tart yellow apple. (Bone-Dry) ANNE KREBHIEL MW

Brimming with star fruit, bergamot and flint, this is a dangerously fresh and minerally dry riesling for this warm and dry vintage. Terrific drive right through the bone-dry palate, the slate and Amalfi lemon zest at the finish strident. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold. STUART PIGOTT, jamessuckling.com

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