Delightful Rhone Rose from the fabulous Clavel estate. Wild Strawberry and grape jelly make this the perfect wine to sip in the sunshine. Provence might be all the rage at the moment but this is every bit as elegant and delicious.

A pure fruited, natural wine without additional sulphites. Shimmering fruit backed up by gorgeous savouriness and delightful floral notes - this is a real star for those who like a little restraint and class in their glass (only 13.5% abv). This is an utterly delicious take on Côtes du Rhône with Grenache leading the way backed up by Carignan and then Syrah. Beautiful balance and real elegance. Vigneron Frederic Julien has some talent!

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An absolute classic. Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe is a family owned and operated estate and is one of the preeminent producers in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Though one of the largest landowners in the region, they only produce three red and two white wines.

Laure Dubois runs this excellent estate with her husband Romain and has fully converted to Organic farming. The wines they produce are consistently good and elegant, mainly from the Lirac appellation, north West of Chateauneuf-du-Pape but also this Cotes du Rhone from just outside. The 2022 is the third year in five vintages that the wine has won a coveted Coup de Coeur top award in the Guide Hachette, the 'bible' of French wine. Charming, 'irresistible' and ready to drink it also offers outstanding value for money. Domaine La Lôyane was voted Winemaker of the Year in 2018 by the Guide Hachette. La Lôyane refers to the place where the estate is built, a place formerly occupied by wolves! The estate, founded in 1994, is located in the south of the Rhône Valley, near Avignon in the Lirac cru. The Dubois family has been cultivating its 20 hectares of vines there for 4 generations! And the last, with Romain Dubois, has converted the estate to organic farming. An extremely precise estate, which is constantly moving upmarket and producing wines from vines that are sometimes more than a century old!

The Le Mollard leu-dit produces elegant, refined wines which are Burgundian in style. Very fine wine indeed. For those that love lifted Syrah with real class and elegance. Bravo Xavier!

A blend of Clairette 70% and Grenache 30%. 80 year old vines are planted in mixed soils of red sand, clay and round pebbles. Grapes are hand-harvested and vinification takes place in 100% old wooden casks. The wine is matured in large ‘demi-muid’ barrels for 6 months on the lees. Domaine La Lôyane was voted Winemaker of the Year in 2018 by the Guide Hachette, France's wine bible. La Lôyane refers to the place where the estate is built, a place formerly occupied by wolves! The estate, founded in 1994, is located in the south of the Rhône Valley, near Avignon in the Lirac cru. The Dubois family has been cultivating its 20 hectares of vines there for 4 generations! And the last, with Romain Dubois, has cnverted the estate to organic farming. An extremely precise estate, which is constantly moving upmarket and producing wines from vines that are sometimes more than a century old!

Red and dark purple wine colour with bright reflections. Pleasant nose, with orange peel and rosemary aromas. The palate is elegant, smooth and well structured, with blueberry paired with soft spices, cloves and Timut pepper

From a breathtaking 0.5 hectare site on Chaban at 400+ metres altitude that was passed on to the Roudier family by the retiring Jean-Marie Teysseire, a legendary figure in Cornas and Saint-Peray. The Syrah vines are 80++ yrs of age on granitic soils including a portion of the mineral baryte, a clear crystal/quartz looking mark that gives the wine its mysterious sounding name. The vines are deeply established on this steep hillside, cut into terraces and oriented East/South-East. An utterly beautiful, natural granite amphitheatre that protects the vines from the cold winds. Beautiful Syrah expresses all its power and finesse on this wonderful Cornas terroir. The debut vintage of this full-bodied terroir wine - which doesn't initially appear to be representative of the "Northern Rhone 2021" vintage - spring frost, harvest rain affected. But from what we have tasted, Cornas in general appears little affected, likely due to the elevation of the vineyards and the gradients of the slopes. So watch out for sleeping Cornas bargains like this from 2021. The wine has a fairly classic Cornas nose, on the palate it is voluminous, lush and suave but fresh and balanced with real tension and energy. The wine is pure and very long. All the fruit destemmed, no oak breeding (all in stainless steel) with a four week maceration. A true terroir wine from a great Cornas site. This 2021 is very impressive now and shall reveal its elegance and finesse over the coming years. What a wine!

Deep ruby colour. Rich and generous mouth. This cuvée aims at giving the best expression of Grenache on elegance, with a peculiar attention on balance, freshness and tannic structure. This Châteauneuf du Pape really connects you to your soul.

Deep, juicy, weighty but fresh and textural 100% old vine Clairette fermented and bred in clay amphora with no additional sulphites at any stage. Really pure and elegant - pears, honey and white flowers on this full bodied Southern Rhone white wine. A triumph. A future classic. Bravo Frederic Julien!

From a breathtaking 0.5 hectare site on Chaban at 400+ metres altitude that was passed on to the Roudier family by the retiring Jean-Marie Teysseire, a legendary figure in Cornas and Saint-Peray. The Syrah vines are 80++ yrs of age on granitic soils including a portion of the mineral baryte, a clear crystal/quartz looking mark that gives the wine its mysterious sounding name. The vines are deeply established on this steep hillside, cut into terraces and oriented East/South-East. An utterly beautiful, natural granite amphitheatre that protects the vines from the cold winds. Wow, if the 2021 showed some of the extraordinary potential of this incredible Cornas site, this 2022 shows it a good deal more - it is without doubt, an outstanding wine. This time the wine has been aged in 500l. demi-muids, with 25% new. Beautiful floral aromatics on the nose with glorious lifted fruit. on the nose. Dense and multi-layered fruit on the palate that finishes with mineral and iron notes. Beautifully knit tannins wrap all this up wonderfully. Huge potemtial here.

100% Marsanne from loess soils at Larnage that abut Hermitage. Vendome's name for plot is "Chapelle". Grapes are hand-harvested then destemmed, pressed, steel vat fermented until specific gravity 1040, then new 228-litre oak (steamed not toasted) cask fermented, raised 10 months, malo blocked, first year 2023, wide bottle, organic wine, 2,500 bottles produced. "Yellow robe; the nose has a walnut aroma up front, a peach, infused herbal tea backdrop, discreet cooked lemon. The palate opens with elegance, holds attractive gras, is a little locked away for now, but the quality of the gras - its relaxed nature - bodes well for the future. The length works well, is refined and sure. This is classy, serene. Decant it. 13°. 100% Marsanne. 2030-31 Oct 2024 ****(*) on Drink Rhone, John Livingstone-Learmonth "Pure Marsanne grown on loess next to the Hermitage Hill. Fermented in 500 litre new French oak, but this is steamed, not toasted. Bold pear and peach fruit with lovely density, showing richness but also freshness. Has a fine spicy dimension with beautiful weight and balance. Amazing texture to this wine". 95/100 Jamie Goode on wineanorak.com

There are many delightul Northern Rhone whites from 2023 and this is very much one of them. Performing very well in Crozes-Hermitage tastings in both Terres des Vins and La Revue du vin de France, well up amongst the big boys and girls of the appellation. 70% Marsanne, 30% Roussanne - half from loess soils on l'Homme at Larnage, half from loess soils on Les Pinets at Crozes-Hermitage. 90% steel vat, 10% new 600-litre oak cask fermented, raised 9 months, assembled just before bottling, malo completed. "fine yellow robe; the bouquet has a neat aroma of cooked citrus fruit, is graceful, appealing, carries a light nuttiness. The palate links well, is fresh and continuous, bears lightly salted, delicate content of white fruits with jasmin, white flower trembles through it. It’s elegant, well made, a bel ensemble, is precise, accurate, ends with soft gras, a bonny exit. 13°. 70% Mars, 30% Rouss. 2029-30 Oct 2024" **** John Livingstone-Learmonth on Drink Rhone "13% alcohol. 70% Marsanne, 30% Roussanne. Organic. This is textured, lively and vital with a fine lime and spice finish after a big flow of pear, melon and ripe apple fruit. Good concentration of flavour, interleaving subtly saline, mineral notes with ripe fruit to good effect". 94/100 Jamie Goode wineanorak.com

"I knew our terroirs very well, and knew that we could exploit them to the full. With Romain’s experience of vinifications all around the world, I was happy to launch the domaine". Gérald Delhome "This is an interesting newcomer to the ranks in the northern sector of Crozes-Hermitage, with vineyards in the communes of Crozes itself, Larnage, Gervans and Erôme. There are almost 11.5 hectares of Crozes across 20 plots, Romain is the fifth generation; his great-grandfather Flavien Delhome had vineyards, while, on his mother’s side there were vineyards under her family in the shape of Severin Habrard, so there are two old roots at play here. Father Gérald took over the domaine in 1993, and concentrated on apricots and vines, the grape harvest sent to the Cave de Tain. Son Romain came on to the domaine in 2018; he had worked locally at Gigondas and in the Ventoux at Chêne Bleu, as well as in Virginia in the USA. The cellar was built in 2019. The domaine is HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale) registered, a green credential, and the 2022 harvest will be officially organic. A 100% Viognier from a south-facing granite hillside sheltered from the north wind, in the commune of Larnage to the north of the Crozes-Hermitage AOC. Grown organically, picked by hand, grapes directedly pressed in whole bunches. A slow and low temperature fermentation takes place at 14c. Afterwards, the wine is left to age on fine lees in stainless steel for 6 months. Malolactic fermentation is blocked. In the glass the wine shows a pale yellow colour with sparkly, pearly highlights. On the nose, we find fresh and bright stone fruit, citrus hints and fresh white flowers. The palate is fleshy, round, with a nice acidity, making for a delicious and true Viognier. A fresh style, but a serious one. A lovely wine.

Classic southern Rhone white, made from Marsanne, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne and Viognier. Fresh and floral with full, round stone fruit flavours and a lithe lick of minerals. Delicious.

Jancis Robinson 18/20 Cask sample. Deep cooper colour. Not star bright. A very distinctive look. A divisive wine. Technicians might reject it while naturophiles would admire it. Honey and cooking apples on the nose. Tastes as though there was some skin contact and there is still a little residual sugar and there is masses of chew. Very exciting and distinctive wine. Seems to have been made from very ripe oaked Marsanne. One of those wines in which astringency does the job of acidity. (JR) Parker  Wine Advocate RP (89-92) Reviewed by:     Jeb Dunnuck Release Price: NA Drink Date:     2015 - 2021 Tasted out of barrel, the 2014 Saint Péray Fleur de Crussol is the top white of the estate and checks in as 100% Marsanne that’s brought up all in barrel, with plenty of lees contact. It offers lots of golden fruits, buttered lemon, dried herbs and a kiss of minerality to go with a medium-bodied, nicely balanced, textured style on the palate. I was able to taste this twice, in a larger appellation tasting and then during my visit at the domaine, and in both cases, the lees component really stood out. Nevertheless, I suspect it will come together nicely once in bottle and have 5-6 years of longevity. This is another terrific lineup from Albéric Mazoyer and Alain Voge, and this estate continues to make a number of sensational Cornas, and more and more, a bevy of top Saint Pérays. The three Cornas releases include the les Chailles, the Vieilles Vignes and the flagship Vieilles Fontaines. The les Chailles comes all from the same named lieu-dit and includes some of the younger vines of the estate. It’s aged mostly in two- to five-year-old barrels. The Vieilles Vignes release comes from a selection of old vines (eight to nine different parcels) and is aged for roughly 20 months in 15% new French oak. Lastly, the flagship release is the Les Vieilles Fontaines, which is only made in top vintages (it was not made in 2013 or 2014). It comes from the Vieilles Fontaines lieu-dit, the oldest vines of the estate, and spends 24 months in 25% new French oak. As I’ve said before, the style here seems slightly modern, but this is due more to purity of fruit than oak elevage, as even the top cuvee only sees 25% new oak. In addition, they continue to move to larger and larger formats for aging. As to the vintages reviewed here, the 2013s have a classic feel and show the fresher, prettier style of the vintage, yet back it up with the fruit, texture and purity that’s the hallmark of this estate. The 2014s look to be at a similar level of quality, yet should be more approachable in their youth.

Xavier Gerard is one of the most exciting young winemakers working in the Northern Rhône. He is a young grower who took over his family's small domaine in earnest in 2012 and in no time has turned out incredibly elegant and traditionally made Syrahs and Viogniers.

Clear pale lemon in colour with pronounced intensity and notes of jasmine tea, blossom, peach, apricot, grapefruit, nectarine, and cream. This wine is dry with low acidity, high alcohol, full body, and medium plus finish

This full-bodied, cedar and richly tannic wine finishes with flourishes of cherry and vanilla. It's a bit modern and ripe but frankly delicious. Dom. La Lôyane: The Winemaker Established at the foot of the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce sanctuary in Rochefort-du-Gard, not far from the ancient marshes drained by monks in the Middle Ages, this estate, founded in 1994 from the merger of three small holdings, has demonstrated great consistency in quality. Succeeding his parents, Jean-Pierre and Dominique, Romain Dubois and his wife, Laure, now sole proprietors of the estate, have created a new cellar and converted the 20 hectares of vines to organic farming. A (very) reliable asset.

Not only is the magnificent Gigondas estate 500 years old, it's owned by Daniel and Frédéric Brunier. Know the name? They are behind Châteauneuf's leading estate, Vieux Télégraphe. Meting out the same care, they produce this rich, old-vine Gigondas. And Daniel reckons that 2019 is his best vintage to date. A perfectly balanced wine, finely poised and with great length.

A blend of Viognier 40%, Roussanne 40% and White Grenache 20%. 20 year old vines are planted in mixed soils of clay, limestone and round pebbles. Peachy aromas, with a fresh and expressive palate that's juicy and very pleasing. More peach flavour from the Viognier and a weighty mid-palate from the Roussanne. Excellent value for money. Grapes are mechanically harvested and vinification takes place in temperature controlled stainless-steel tanks, with regular stirring of the lees. This preserves the freshness and fruitiness of the wine. Domaine La Lôyane was voted Winemaker of the Year in 2018 by the Guide Hachette, France's wine bible. La Lôyane refers to the place where the estate is built, a place formerly occupied by wolves! The estate, founded in 1994, is located in the south of the Rhône Valley, near Avignon in the Lirac cru. The Dubois family has been cultivating its 20 hectares of vines there for 4 generations! And the last, with Romain Dubois, has cnverted the estate to organic farming. An extremely precise estate, which is constantly moving upmarket and producing wines from vines that are sometimes more than a century old!

"I like wines that are direct, with tension, a vertebral column, for both the reds and the whites". Romain Delhome A brilliant, fresh and invigorating Crozes Hermitage Rouge from young Romain. 100% Syrah grown on soils composed mainly of loess and some granite scree mixed with loess at elevation at Gervans and Larnage in the northern sector. Average age of vines is 35 years old. The grapes are gravity fed into the winery after destemming. The grapes are then crushed and left to macerate at a very low temperature for a few days before fermentation takes place in the truncated temperature controlled stainless steel vats. The must macerates for twenty days with very gentle spray overs (like a pump over, but gentler). The juice is then left on its own in tank for seven months. A nose full of red/black fruits. flowers and peppery notes. The palate is fresh, direct and red-fruited. Vibrant and joyful. The finish continues with finesse, with a lovely pepper note. Great tension and balance. It's a natural tasting Crozes full of life and energy. We feel it's one to drink younger and with a slight chill. It's tremedously tasty stuff for Syrah lovers.

"I knew our terroirs very well, and knew that we could exploit them to the full. With Romain’s experience of vinifications all around the world, I was happy to launch the domaine". Gérald Delhome "This is an interesting newcomer to the ranks in the northern sector of Crozes-Hermitage, with vineyards in the communes of Crozes itself, Larnage, Gervans and Erôme. There are almost 11.5 hectares of Crozes across 20 plots, Romain is the fifth generation; his great-grandfather Flavien Delhome had vineyards, while, on his mother’s side there were vineyards under her family in the shape of Severin Habrard, so there are two old roots at play here". Father Gérald took over the domaine in 1993, and concentrated on apricots and vines, the grape harvest sent to the Cave de Tain. Son Romain came on to the domaine in 2018; he had worked locally at Gigondas and in the Ventoux at Chêne Bleu, as well as in Virginia in the USA. The cellar was built in 2019. The domaine is HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale) registered, a green credential, and the 2022 harvest will be officially organic. 100% Roussanne planted (only 0.3ha) on the very special and unique white Kaolin soils of Chateau de Larnage. This is phenomenal wine from such a young vine (planted in 2018). When looking at the 2022 vintage of this wine our senior buyer Stewart Travers thought the vines need to come on a little to show the terroir a little more to stand up in the market. We were literally knocked straight off of our feet on tasting the 2023 vintage, the vines and the fruit from this wonderful terroir have come on LEAPS and BOUNDS. Deep golden yellow colour, full, rich nose of flowers, quince and a touch of warm spice. Juicy and impressively deep on the palate with the fine acid brilliantly and elegantly holding everything finely in tune on the utterly delightful finish. What a wine, and simply another reason why we so look forward to following Dom. Delhome. Young Romain is a star!

Viognier (1984-85) from 1.1 hectare on Côte Châtillon at Condrieu, raised 50-60% 22 hl large oak barrel and 40-50% steel vat, malo completed. "fine yellow robe; the nose is very elegant, composed of peach, aniseed, white plum, has an excellent floating style, grace. This is top tack! It has much suavity of texture, with very assured persistence, is refined and gliding throughout. It’s real good Châtillon, bang on the money as it should be. It bears neat iron touches, has a pear-buttery flavour, and butter-floral late moments, a dab of petrol also. Much refinement here." Jonathan Livingstone-Learmonth

Vinsobres is the most northern appellation of the Southern Rhône. The Perrin family owns around 80 hectares here. The vineyards grow at altitudes of 200 - 450 metres, in terraces, with the Prealps on one side and Mont Ventoux on the other. The soils are stony and sandy marl on the slopes, and stony quaternary alluviums on the terraces. A very particular microclimate protects the village and the vines planted which are planted in amphitheatre formation. Summers are hot and dry, with the local Mistral and Pontias winds bringing cooler air at night.

Frédéric Julien farms 15 hectares of vineyards in Rasteau. As there is no Rasteau Blanc, the appellation is not so relevant for white wines so this is declassified to Vin de France to allow maximum expression. 50 % bourboulenc, 50 % Clairette. Vinfiied separately partly in oak and partly in tank. After 7 months the wine is blended. This has good fruit but better acidity, making it nervy and racy. Brilliant wine.

An almost one man band Gigondas producer with small but deeply enviable vineyard holdings up in the hills, planted 60 years ago by his grandfather. The key to this wine's brilliance is that the vineyard, although in Beaumes de Venise appellation, is right on the border of Gigondas, high up on the Dentelles slopes - the very best vineyard sites of Gigondas itself. Stretch the border a few hundred metres and include this wine in Gigondas and you could add 50% to the price! As you would expect, it is hearty and herbal, dense in fruit, bold and juicy with a whiff of roast lamb. A belter!

A stunning single site Rasteau from organic vigneron Frederic Julien whose name is on everybody's lips. 80% Grenache (1960), 20% Syrah (2002) from south east facing blue clay, galet stone covered limestone, red soils, loose gravel at 250 metres on 'Gramiller' on the route de Saint Roman, a fresh zone, 70% destemmed, 3-4 week vinification at 25°-26°C of varieties apart, small daily pump overs, no press wine added, concrete vat raised for 6 months, unfined, filtered. Certified organic wine. 6,000 bottles produced. "OK, yum. The fruit is dark, scrunched up, like fistfuls of elderberries and sloe berries and black berries, underlined and outlined in kohl and coal and blue-black ink and winter bark. It's fresh, smoky, dark and has a where-does-it-end feel to the tannins - like tasting the winter night sky where there are no city lights. Just, maybe, the odd wood stove tracing smoke across the bruised wrinkle of drying plums. Good Value". 17/20 jancisrobinson.com When to drink 2024-2030 Date tasted 6 Dec 2023

Made from two lieu dits, high up on the slopes overlooking the majestic Rhone. The wine has classic Viognier nose of peach, apricot, toasted spice and honey. Medium-bodied with good fruit and texture and shows a more mineral character than the richer Le Chatillon Condrieu cuvee.

A classic Northern Rhône Syrah, aged for 24 months in 10% new oak barrels. Full of dark fruits, black pepper and toasty spice.

"I like wines that are direct, with tension, a vertebral column, for both the reds and the whites". Romain Delhome "This is an interesting newcomer to the ranks in the northern sector of Crozes-Hermitage, with vineyards in the communes of Crozes itself, Larnage, Gervans and Erôme. There are almost 11.5 hectares of Crozes across 20 plots, Romain is the fifth generation; his great-grandfather Flavien Delhome had vineyards, while, on his mother’s side there were vineyards under her family in the shape of Severin Habrard, so there are two old roots at play here. Father Gérald took over the domaine in 1993, and concentrated on apricots and vines, the grape harvest sent to the Cave de Tain. Son Romain came on to the domaine in 2018; he had worked locally at Gigondas and in the Ventoux at Chêne Bleu, as well as in Virginia in the USA. The cellar was built in 2019. The domaine is HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale) registered, a green credential, and the 2022 harvest will be officially organic. 100% Syrah (average age 40 years) from south-facing sanded granite soils on Les Sourdets at 300 metres at Larnage next to the cellars, granite fragments on flat ground at bottom of Le Caire at Gervans, hand harvested, destemmed, pre-fermentation cold maceration at 8°-10°C "to seek red fruits, especially from Gervans", 20-25 day steel vat vinification at 24°-28°C, pumping overs, part vat emptying/refilling, raised 75% 3-10 year 228-litre & 600-litre oak casks (85% 228-litres, 15% 600-litres), 25% steel vat 11-12 months". This is excellent Crozes Hermitage with good structure with what feels like perfect extraction - wonderful texture and depth. But the Boreal is ultimately all about the fruit, though, which is charmingly wild in character and quite dark. Blackberry, the beginnings of mulberry and a bit of liquorice in there too. A wonderful offering.

Paul Vincent Avril at Domaine du Clos des Papes makes one of the most sought-after wines in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. This Southern Rhône estate has been in the Avril family for three generations, gaining in reputation from wine critics and drinkers alike. Ripe and velvety, with a lithe, fresh feel. Leathery, earthy, licorice spice along with dark plum and cherry fruit. Red berry acidity and a garrigue note on the finish. "Leather and spiced notes, pure with good fresh vivacity on the nose. The palate is ripe and seductive, layered with forest fruits, dark spiced figs. Attractive refreshing acidity, red fruits and a wild garrigue savoury Mourvèdre note – the tannins are supple and silky – dark forest-fruits finish which is broad, ample and opulent but always with a finesse of tannins and a savoury liquorice mineral note." 2027-2042 18 Pts Alistair Cooper MW, JancisRobinson.com, September 2022 "While production was down 40% due to the frost, Vincent was able to make a beautiful 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape that readers will love to have in the cellar. All about finesse and elegance, it reveals a classic Clos des Papes nose of both red and black fruits as well as tons of floral, pepper, and spicy notes. These carry to a medium-bodied 2021 that has good ripeness (the alcohol is 15%), a supple, silky mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It's not far off the style of the 2020, and while it doesn't have the density of a top vintage, it nevertheless has balance, complexity, and elegance, and will have 15+ years of longevity." 93/95 Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com, November 2022

"I knew our terroirs very well, and knew that we could exploit them to the full. With Romain’s experience of vinifications all around the world, I was happy to launch the domaine". Gérald Delhome "This is an interesting newcomer to the ranks in the northern sector of Crozes-Hermitage, with vineyards in the communes of Crozes itself, Larnage, Gervans and Erôme. There are almost 11.5 hectares of Crozes across 20 plots, Romain is the fifth generation; his great-grandfather Flavien Delhome had vineyards, while, on his mother’s side there were vineyards under her family in the shape of Severin Habrard, so there are two old roots at play here. Father Gérald took over the domaine in 1993, and concentrated on apricots and vines, the grape harvest sent to the Cave de Tain. Son Romain came on to the domaine in 2018; he had worked locally at Gigondas and in the Ventoux at Chêne Bleu, as well as in Virginia in the USA. The cellar was built in 2019. The domaine is HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale) registered, a green credential, and the 2022 harvest will be officially organic. 100% Marsanne (1950s-late-1990s) from sandy-loess soils on Les Védias at Erôme & Gervans, hand harvested, whole bunch pressing, 3-4 day pre-fermentation maceration at 6°-8°C, vinification in steel vat until 1060-1050 specific gravity, then transferred to 3-10 year 228-litre oak casks, lees stirred at the end of fermentation, raised 9-10 months. 5,500 bottles produced". Wonderfully idiosyncratic. A lovely delicacy and intricacy, one is almost unsure the varietal is Marsanne, such is its elegance. The aftertaste is really delicious and where the wine really comes into its own - savoury, saline, nutty with a note of marzipan and, oddly, a touch of aromatic hops. Brilliant from the young star Romain!

Old vines from the Grand Montmirail, high altitude vineyards (400 to 520 meters). The foot of the vineyards consist of a red marl that brings the muscle and virility. In middle and higher slopes limestone bedrock is increasingly present, this transmits the wines tension and raciness. Direct, pure wines. 100% Grenache in 2023. 70% grapes destemmed, crushed and a short infusion follows. Wildly fermented and only matured in concrete tank to expose the complexity and natural tension of the wine. This is a full, broad wine, but elegant and still vibrating. The originality and beauty of the site is transmitted with energy. This Gigondas shows you this character, this minerality - water of rock, wine of rock.

Another perennial favourite, this is an old vine Syrah-dominated cuvee that comes from vines around the village of Roaix, which is northeast of Gigondas. Its vibrant ruby color is followed by terrific notes of blueberries, blackberries, pepper and resinous herbs, and it has a kiss of vanilla that will be completely integrated by the time this sees the inside of a bottle. This is a medium to full-bodied, ultra-pure beauty.

Escaravailles rare top end white we are very lucky to see an allocation of. Even with a hot, short vintage Madeline has produced a very fine, elegant, juicy long and fine Rhone wine.

"Of all our vineyards, the kaolin on Château de Larnage is the top site - it’s a unique terroir, maybe 20 hectares of it, giving wines with real style, breeding, powerful and good finesse for both red and white, the whites there more recently planted. Our neighbours there are Desmeure (Remizières), Belle, Olivier Dumaine, Dard & Ribo, Sorrel, the Cave de Tain". Gérald Delhome "This is an interesting newcomer to the ranks in the northern sector of Crozes-Hermitage, with vineyards in the communes of Crozes itself, Larnage, Gervans and Erôme. There are almost 11.5 hectares of Crozes across 20 plots. Romain is the fifth generation; his great-grandfather Flavien Delhome had vineyards, while, on his mother’s side there were vineyards under her family in the shape of Severin Habrard, so there are two old roots at play here". 100% Syrah (1950s) from kaolin, white clay soils on Château de Larnage at Larnage, hand harvested, destemmed, 25 day steel vat vinification at 24°-28°C, pre-fermentation cold maceration at 8°-10°C "to seek red fruits", 20-25 day steel vat vinification at 24°-28°C, pumping overs, part vat emptying/refilling, raised 5% new, 95% 3-10 year 228-litre oak casks 11-12 months, wide bottle, 4,700 bottles produced". John Livingstone-Learmonth, Drink Rhone Outstanding Crozes Hermitage from a wonderful site on kaolin (bright white clay) at 330m elevation on Château de Larnage at Larnage. A beautiful, elegant nose but with plenty of concentration - quite a dark style with a gorgeous floral lift. The fruit is pure and direct, and the balsamic note gives the wine real character which is quite unexpected in a wine so young. This 2022 shall do really well a few years down the line, but it is undoubtedly utterly delightful right now. Again, outstanding.

100% Viognier from Les Méjeans next to the winery on mix of kaolin white clay, argile calcaire and also decayed granite just above where the northern boundary of Crozes-Hermitage dips southward on the map, but the elevation remains high at 350m in between Gervans and Larnage, just a little to the north. Hand harvested in early morning, steel vat fermented at 18°C, raised 9 months, malo blocked. What a lovely wine from a unique, interesting terroir. A quite serious but relaxed and lovely, aromatic, floral, juicy but bright drinking Viognier with a gentle, gorgeous creaminess on the finish. Delicious as an apero or with semi hard goats cheese, peaches and charcuterie. A classy drop indeed.

The Le Mollard leu-dit produces elegant, refined and Burgundian styled wines. Very fine wines indeed. For those that love lifted Syrah with real class and elegance. Bravo Xavier!