Produce of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah fruit organically/biodynamically farmed and hand-harvested from vines an average of 25 years old and planted to the garrigues and Helvetian sand and sandstone soils in the Mediterranean climes of the southern Rhône Valley near Vacqueyras. Winemaking is traditional, the fruit is completely destemmed, there is a light crushing of the berries and fermentation on natural indigenous grape yeasts, the wine is aged in cement for one winter, then bottled. Vibrant and glowing translucent ruby to fuchsia at the edges in color with exotic almost perfumed aromas suggestive of wild strawberry conserve and grape pomace (it is, of course, biodynamically farmed grapes) with maybe just a hint of reduction (almost like roasted coffee beans; Henry noted the scent of garrigue after a bit of time in the glass); silken smooth onto the palate, then fresh and crisp, almost crunchy in texture (crunchy red berries), with pulverized stone-like, chalky dry jittery tannins building, carrying at once delicate and vibrant flavors long and fresh on the finish. An amusement for the tastebuds, indeed.

Showing even better than when I tasted it last year, the 2019 Hermitage La Chapelle is another ripe, powerful, sexy, and full-bodied example of this cuvée that brings classic La Chapelle gamey darker fruits as well as smoked meats, chocolate, sandalwood, and peppery spice. Full-bodied on the palate, it has good concentration, lots of ripeness, polished tannins, and a great, great finish. As with the 2018, it's opened up beautifully on the palate since I tasted it at the domaine and is a ripe, expansive, pure, beautiful Hermitage. Rated 97. - Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com June, 2022

The 2018 Hermitage La Chapelle is a monster of a wine that brings tons of richness and depth while staying light on its feet and balanced. Lots of ripe red and blue fruits as well as flowers, smoked meat, licorice, and spice define the bouquet, and it's full-bodied, has a ripe, powerful, yet balanced mouthfeel, and a great finish. Given some previous showings of this wine, it was surprisingly accessible on this occasion, with a wealth of fruit, sweet tannins, and tons of character. It's a brilliant wine as well as a magical Hermitage. Rated 98. - Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com June, 2022

Opaque ruby. Displays powerful, highly perfumed aromas of black/blue fruit preserves, licorice, cola, baking spices and potpourri, along with an exotic suggestion of incense. Utterly stains the palate with intense blackberry, cherry, cassis, floral pastille and spicecake flavors that deliver a suave blend of weight and energy. Youthfully solid tannins add shape and grip to an extremely long, mineral- and floral-accented finish that shows outstanding clarity and dark fruit thrust. Drink 2028‑2040. Rated 96.  Josh Raynolds, vinous.com March, 2020

The 2017 Hermitage La Chapelle showed incredibly well and is a brilliant wine that's reminiscent of a richer, denser 2011. Loads of sun-kissed dark fruits, leather, graphite, and flowers, with ample spice and sandalwood nuances, give way to a full-bodied, pure, deep, multi-dimensional Hermitage that’s just about as good as it gets. The balance, length, and depth of this is something to behold, and while it unquestionably offers pleasure today, it has another 20-30 years of prime drinking ahead of it. Drink 2022‑2052. Rated 99. - Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com June, 2022

Saturated violet color. Intensely perfumed ripe black/blue fruits, violet candy, exotic spices and smoky minerals show fine definition and lift. Juicy and focused on the palate, offering deeply concentrated yet lively black raspberry, boysenberry, floral pastille and spicecake flavors and a late touch of licorice. Finishes smooth, sappy and extremely long, with chewy tannins lending shape and grip to resonating dark berry and floral notes. Drink 2026‑2038. Rated 95.  Josh Raynolds, vinous.com March, 2020

Produced at Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe in Châteauneuf‑du‑Pape, this is, as they say, a 'gateway' to the more 'elevated' wines of the southern Rhône Valley. Only, in this case, the Ventoux appellation is actually higher still in elevation, and more elevation in this part of the winegrowing world tends to give more freshness and more of an easygoingness and, you'll notice, a little lighter touch in terms of price. Produce of about 55% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Carignan, 8% Cinsault and 7% Mourvèdre all hand-harvested from two vineyard sites, 3 hectares of Côtes‑du‑Rhône on the left bank of the Rhône river 15 km north of Avignon, and 7 hectares in the commune of Caromb, at the foot of Mont Ventoux in the appellation of Ventoux itself. The wine is fermented in temperature‑controlled cement tanks, then aged in a combination of the same and foudres (read, large neutral oak barrels). Lovely ruby in color with aromas suggestive of fleshy berries (fraises des bois, myrtille, framboise), spice, black pepper, with subtler hints of garrigue and crushed limestone; medium in body, both fresh and firm with a Châteauneuf‑du‑Pape‑like generosity and energy on the tongue and with fine‑grained pulverized stone‑like tannins giving structure, then mouthwatering and fresh long on the finish. Put this one in a nice bowl‑shaped Burgundy glass and pretend to yourself that you paid a lot more for it. And it'll get better still with air.

A year-in, year-out winner, the 2020 Côtes Du Rhône Coudoulet De Beaucastel offers outstanding quality as well as classic notes of darker fruits, roasted herbs, truffly earth, and some meaty, peppery, gamey nuances. With wonderful purity of fruit, ripe tannins, and a balanced, elegant mouthfeel, it will have over a decade of longevity. Rated (90‑92). - Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com November, 2021

Produce of predominantly Clairette and Grenache blanc together with Bourboulenc and Roussanne from vines planted to a combination of soil types including clay/limestone and sand; shimmering platinum to bright yellow/gold in color with aromas suggestive of fresh hops, reglisse, mirabelle plum and cool sliced tropical fruits (La Famille Quiot themselves note aromas of white flowers, peach and lemon); fresh and vibrant on the palate, just ample in body with a gently rich and wholly tactile presence on the tongue, all the while maintaining a freshness and poise on the palate with dusty/stony/nervy intensity and length of fresh flavor on the finish.

Moving to the 2019s from bottle, the Côtes Du Rhône Lieu-Dit Clavin always shows the style of this estate as well as the vintage, and the 2019 is well worth seeking out. Black cherries, gravelly earth, spicy herbs, and violet notes give way to a medium to full-bodied, floral, seamless Côtes du Rhône that does everything right. Rated 91. - Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com November, 2021

More cassis, morello cherry, Asian spice, and a beautiful sense of minerality and loamy earth emerge from the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Les Trois Sources, a full-bodied, concentrated blend of 60% Grenache, 15% each of Cinsault and Syrah, and the balance Mourvèdre. Coming all from the estate’s sandy soils in the northern part of the appellation, this incredibly concentrated, textured wine has perfect balance, building tannins, and a great finish. Give this beauty another 4-5 years in the cellar and drink it over the following two decades or more. Drink 2025‑2047. Rated 96+. - Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com November, 2021

The 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Les Hauts-Lieux includes slightly more Mourvèdre and comes from a cooler parcel in the northern part of the appellation. It has another level of purity and precision compared to the Trois Sources and has extraordinary notes of blueberries, cassis, black licorice, violets, and crushed stone-like minerality. Incredibly concentrated, massive, and yet perfectly balanced, it has no hard edges and is just an incredible tasting experience. Hide bottles for 4-5 years and enjoy over the following 20-25 years. Drink 2025‑2051. Rated 98+. - Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com November, 2021

Founded by Roger Marès in the 1960s, the Mas des Bressades is located in the Costières de Nîmes, in the southern Rhône Valley of France. It extends across 45 hectares to the north of the Camargue, where the vines are planted at an elevation of 70 meters on what the French call galets roulés or rolled pebbles (medium sized stones, really) rolled and rounded by glacial action and the great Rhône River. The name «Bressades» comes from the Provençal patois and, fittingly, means to rock. While the estate has long been cultivated with respect for nature and the soil, in 2017 Cyril Marès requested certification in organic farming. After three years of conversion, it is now official. Produce of an inspired south of France mingling of 50% Roussanne, 30% Grenache Blanc, 10% Marsanne and 10% Viognier, their Costières de Nîmes Blanc is a vivid pale platinum/yellow in color with aromas suggestive of white pepper, fresh salt sea breezes, cool green/gold berries and crisp cool melon blanc d'Antibe (Henry noted a floral tone like chamomile, Glenn noted flesh of white peach); both ample and bright with its mineral edge on keen display, mouthwateringly fresh and vibrant on the tongue and just oh so deliciously refreshing and quaffable.

Produce of 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 20% Cinsault from the typically stony soils of the Costières de Nîmes, a splendid somewhere between Châteauneuf-du-Pape and the Mediterranean Sea. Copper/pink with orange reflections in color with discreet aromas that suggest a kiss of red berry, an underlying salt sea minerality and a touch more left to the imagination (Henry noted a blood orange-like citrus quality, Glenn noted wild strawbery); at once, both ample and mineral crisp on the tongue with a bursting berry fruit and a saline mouthwateringness. And while we all agreed this a pink wine useful at the dinner table, the sheer saline refreshingness of the wine is simply undeniable, too. Regularly $13.75 the bottle, on sale now at:

Rich, dense, almost opaque ruby in color with aromas that suggest sun and sea and berry and stone (Henry noted a peppery/savory quality as well); deep-pitched, pulverized stone and spicy fleshy berry on the tongue, potent, generous, (Henry noted that for all of this, the vibrancy of the wine was still apparent); and while we might tend to compare this to its Rhône Valley neighbor Châteauneuf-du-Pape (less than an hour's drive to the northeast), this remains more upfront, juicy and pliant if still stony/mineral, potent red wine.

Produce of a preponderance of Grenache with a touch of Syrah; sunset orange to peach pink in color; ultra-fresh with that near-intoxicating aroma of red berries (Guiot themselves describe aromas of strawberries and raspberries reminiscent of "les bonbons anglais" — fitting, it's one of Lucinda's faves); ultra-refreshing, invigorating even on the tongue with vivid and mouthwatering berryish flavors that faithfully reprise those first oh so welcome whiffs. And, this is simply brilliant value in high quality south of France rosé.

This small château is located near the town of Saint-Gilles just west of the Rhône River some 5 miles from the Mediterranean Sea. The rocky soils here are reminiscent of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and the fruit is always picked late, ensuring deep and profound wines with soft tannins. The vineyards are farmed sustainably, without the use of synthetic herbicides, pesticides or fertilizers on the vineyards or crops. The fruit is vinified separately in stainless steel tanks by varietal and by vineyard site. This 2019 Château Guiot Costières de Nîmes is a blend of hand-harvested Grenache and Syrah fruit; very primary aromas of fleshy ripe grapes and grape pomace with suggestion of blue plum, kirsch and a good healthy winegrowing earth; just full and fruity and round on the tongue with nice crisp bright acids and supple tannins lending the gentlest astringency and keeping things refreshing and vibrant to the long and flavorful finish. Some kind of value, too!

Produce of 100% Marsanne fruit from vines planted to soils of pebble and sand located in Sablet and Plan de Dieu; vivid yellow/gold in color with aromas suggestive of ripe berry, mirabelle plum, apricot and an exotic, almost tropical grilled pineapple quality; tactile, rounded and easy on the palate with an enveloping richness without heaviness, gentle textural creaminess balanced with a hint of bitter almond.

There is a certain restraint on the nose here that finally gives way to something more discernably varietal, then more mineral and nutty (Andrea noted white grapes and hot rocks); there is a certain aloof highwire equilibrium on the palate, a minerality (Henry noted fleur de sel, a certain stoniness and subtle but intense palate feel); then everything echoing, resonating, reverberating long and fine on the finish.

Produce of a typical south of France mingling of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault from vines planted to alluvial terraces rich in pebbles, read les galets roulès, and clay/limestone soils. Attractive medium ruby in color with alluring perfumed juicy berry aromas suggesting strawberry, cherry, a summer afternoon's rain on hot cobblestones, genêt and more of the aromatic complexity of la garrigue; silken on entry, then building in body, demonstrating a firm, stony underpinning, potency and warmth, length of flavor and easy drinkability.

The 2019 Crozes-Hermitage Domaine De Thalabert showed well, with a floral, pepper, and sappy herb style as well as plenty of darker cherry and currant fruit. With medium to full body, a vibrant, elegant texture, present tannins, and good acidity, this is a classic, balanced Thalabert to hide for 2-4 years and enjoy over the following decade or more. Drink 2022‑2034. Rated (92-94). - Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com November, 2020

I was able to taste the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Chaupin on two occasions, rating it one point higher on one of those as well. Incredible notes of red and black fruits, violets, scorched earth, ground pepper, and Provençal garrigue notes define the nose, and it’s a darker, richer, slightly more powerful wine than usual, while still showing the inherent elegance and finesse this cuvée always shows. Give bottles 2-3 years and enjoy over the following 15-20. Don’t miss it! Drink 2023‑2044. Rated 98+. - Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com November, 2021

Produce of 55% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 10% Carignan, 5% Cinsault and 5% Mourvèdre grown on 20 acres adjacent to the Châteauneuf‑du‑Pape vineyards of Domaine de La Janasse. This superb Côtes‑du‑Rhône has been a go‑to bottle for us for some years now: deep, deep ruby red, with hints of garrigue and stone almost wholly subsumed by sun‑drenched, ripe grapey aromas; rich, round and powerful with ripe kirsch‑like Grenache flavors and chalky stony tannins building on the palate and giving shape and structure on to the warm and invigorating finish.

Produce of 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah planted to the slopes of the small valley of Trignon, with cool and breezy nights favorable to a slow even ripening of the fruit. The poor limestone gravel subsoil here also has the advantage of good drainage. Through a glass darkly, almost translucent medium deep ruby in color in our straight-sided tasting glass, full ripe fleshy fruit aromas suggesting myriad red and black berry fruits, black cherry, plum, lavender, pulverized limestone and even more with time in the glass; while this is no beast of a wine (it is smooth and slippery on entry) it surely is not a wine for the faint of heart, weighing in at 15% alcohol by volume, potent and full with ripe flavors on a backdrop of solid rock, with jittery fine-grained tannins underpinning and supporting their presence long and warm on the finish. We would recommend this with the air-conditioning turned down low, with slow-cooked meats, bean soups, soft ripened cheeses and the like.