The Rhône 1989-2016 - Bonneau, Clape, Jamet, Jasmin, Rayas, Verset & Vieux Télégraphe
We've steadily amassed a large collection of Rhône wines. Today, I'm happy to present a very curated list.
News — Rhone
Explore All Offers
(57 posts)"Massive Minerality"
2011 Clape Cornas
Clape really nailed the 2011 vintage. I was very happy to come across this modest parcel recently.
Back Up The Truck - Rhône Royalty Edition
2015 Chave St. Joseph Offerus
When Chave's St. Joseph Offerus is on, it can be shockingly good. In the past few weeks, I tasted through a cast of vintages that we had laying around here - 2010, 2013, 2014 and 2015. When it came to 2010 and 2015, the wines really blew me away. I immediately went deep on the 2015.
The Perennial Overachiever
2016 Jamet Syrah Collines Rhodaniennes IGP
In the Northern Rhône, 2016 is shaping up to be an absolutely beautiful vintage. For people who love classically styled vintages (think of 2010 and 2013), this will be an important vintage.
"If you want the truest of Côte-Rôties... "
2015 Levet Côte Rôtie La Chavaroche
Levet's Chavaroche is unapologetically raw, stunningly pure and beautiful. These are some of the most unique and exciting Côte Rôties around. They combine wildness with a breeding that's incredible.
In Peak Form - Northern Rhône For a Song: 2015 Jean-Claude Marsanne Saint-Joseph
It's taken the world some time to catch up with Jean-Claude Marsanne. If you haven't heard of them, it's no surprise. Production is small and most of it is sold to private clients and restaurants.
Bonneau Oddity: Henri Bonneau Les Rouliers
NV 750s and Magnums
Bonneau's wines are unlike anything in the Southern Rhône. They are wines of unyielding traditionalism. Bonneau boasts a haunting mysterious depth. The signature is wild, constantly evolving and very nuanced complexity.
Clarity and Finesse in the Northern Rhône:
2014 Gerard St-Joseph Le Blanchard
Xavier Gerard's Saint-Joseph is one of the most exciting wines that I've tasted in some time. It impresses immensely with its purity, lift and aromatics. The finesse and clarity of expression really amaze.
"A striking combination of power and finesse" -Josh Raynolds, Vinous Media
2014 Jamet Cote-Rotie Half-Bottles
Jamet’s Côte-Rôtie hits a level of gracefulness and agility that’s reminiscent of Burgundy. Jamet's 2014 Côte-Rôtie is a striking example. It boasts an incredible amount of finesse, clarity and textural appeal.
"If you want the truest of Côte-Rôties... "
2013 Levet Côte-Rôtie La Chavaroche Magnums
The 2013 Chavaroche is one of my favorite young vintages of the wine. Today, I'm very happy to offer magnums of Levet's 2013 Côte-Rôtie Chavaroche.
Irresistible Northern Rhône, Gamay Edition
2016 Souhaut Souteronne
When it comes to turning out expressive and dangerously drinkable wines in the Northern Rhône, Souhaut is hard to beat. In the past, we've called the wines "habit-forming" and that remains the best two word summary that we know.
2014 Allemand Cornas Chaillots
"Let me state unequivocally that there is no estate in the entire Rhône Valley making finer wines.” -Josh Raynolds Allemand's are very special wines.
Old-School Northern Rhône For A Song -
2014 Jean-Claude Marsanne Saint-Joseph
Chave and the Gonon brothers have made clear that Saint-Joseph has the capacity for producing exceptional expressions of Syrah. Today, we're happy to present another name: Jean-Claude Marsanne.
Rhône Royalty Within Reach:
2012 Rayas Côtes du Rhône La Pialade
Few names loom as large as Château Rayas in the Rhone. The estate is one of the most storied, mythical and mysterious in the region.
"One of the best wines made at Côte Rôtie" -
1997 Jamet Côte-Rôtie Côte Brune
"The Brune is consistently one of the best wines made at Côte Rôtie." -John Livingstone-Learmonth, The Wines of the Northern Rhône If you love classic Côte-Rôtie, Jamet is the name to know. For decades, Jamet has been the benchmark of Côte-Rôtie.
2014 Allemand Cornas:
Chaillots & Reynard
Not much needs to be said about Thierry Allemand.
Sharp Pricing - 2013 Guigal La La's:
La Mouline, La Landonne & La Turque
Guigal is Rhône royalty and their single-vineyard "La La's" are the justly acclaimed jewels in the crown.
A Fusion of Power and Refinement:
2014 Chave Hermitage Rouge
"This beauty has class and will evolve gracefully." - Jeb Dunnuck
The Essence of Cornas:
2014 Clape Cornas
For over half a century, Auguste Clape’s wines have captured so much of what's essential in Cornas. Clape’s Cornas gets to the beating heart of the appellation’s intensely dark and savory side. The wines are wildly complex and utterly compelling expressions of Cornas.
"The appellation’s greatest guardian of traditional winemaking" - 2007 Henri Bonneau Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve des Celestins
Bonneau's wines exist on another level, especially Célestins. They are peerless and singular Châteauneufs. Bonneau's unyielding traditionalism reaches its zenith in the Célestins bottling.
"The appellation’s greatest guardian of traditional winemaking" -Robert Parker
2010 Bonneau Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Anytime that I have the opportunity to sit down with one of Bonneau's wines I get very excited. They are some of the most magical and soulful wines around. He was the grand old wise man of the Southern Rhône. There is simply nothing like Bonneau's Châteauneufs. I write all of this with a fair amount of melancholy. Sadly, Henri Bonneau passed away this March.
Rhône Stunner - 100 Year Old Vines 2015 Souhaut St. Joseph Sainte Epine
Last week, we offered Souhaut's 2015 St. Joseph Les Cessieux under the heading "Here Today, Gone Tomorrow." By 5pm we were allocating bottles. Souhaut makes absolutely gorgeous and insanely drinkable Northern Rhône wines. And people have clearly noticed.
Here Today, Gone Tomorrow: 2015 Souhaut Saint Joseph Les Cessieux
Hervé Souhaut first released a Cessieux in 2013. It immediately became a favorite. The vineyard has been in Souhaut's family for many years, but was leased out until recently.
Irresistible Northern Rhône: 2014 Jamet Collines Rhodaniennes IGP
Jamet is known for benchmark Côte Rotie, but when it comes to drinkabilty, it's their Collines Rhodaniennes we reach for.