Vincent Avril makes this non vintage blend using 2/3 of the current vintage (2020) with the remaining 1/3 the previous year’s wine from barrel – the result is a playful, wine with more than enough depth to stay true to it’s noble Clos des Papes lineage. Sourced from vines along the banks of Rhone River , it is a mosaic blend made up of Grenache, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Mourvedre, Carignan and Cinsault. For our money one of the best value wines in France that sells out quickly – largely in the best bistros across the country.

An absolute classic. Parker 94-96/100. Vinous 93-95. Suckling 98. Richard Hemming, jancisrobinson.com 17+. John Livingstone-Learmonth 4.5*

A new cuvee debuting in 2019 form the Le Mollard leu-dit which is elegant, refined and with Burgundian in style. Very fine wine indeed. For those that love lifted Syrah with real class and elegance. Bravo Xavier!

The Brunier family, owners of Domaine de Vieux Telepraphe in Chateauneuf du Pape, also makes 'Piedlong'. "Coming from the plateau in the center of the appellation and 90% Grenache and 10% Mourv�dre, the 2019 Ch�teauneuf Du Pape Piedlong boasts a more ruby/translucent colour to go with feminine, perfumed notes of wild strawberries, loamy soil, herbes de Provence, and peppery garrigue. Playing in the medium to full-bodied end of the spectrum, it has terrific overall balance, some grainy, present tannins, and a great finish. This is another terrific 2019 in the making that�s going to benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and keep for 10-15 years." Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com (June 2020)

Parker 94-96 "I still think it is the equal of the Brunier family's Chteauneufs" (Vieux Telegraphe etc.) "tremendous Gigondas... 75-year-old vines". Jancis 17+ .." most delicious purity right from nose to finish"

We thought this an absolute classic Coudoulet showing really good value for money. Deep ruby, with a complex nose of violet, cranberry, black fruit, and cocoa. This wine is instantly pretty in the glass. Full bodied with excellent acidty and a firm backbone of ripe tannin. Layers of flavour appear and recede: chocolate, plums, p�te de fruits, then mint, then black cherry, then seville orange. Impressive and rather moreish. Delightful now but should evolve nicely over the next decade.

Lovely soft fruit with spice, plums, herbs and a touch of leather behind. Quite forward in the mouth with soft, ripe tannins, great length and a luscious finish. This is the second wine of Domaine du Vieux T�l�graphe.

Authentic baby wine from Chateauneuf's 1st Parker-100 grower. Unfiltered/unfined, supple, herbal, warming, a cracking value quaffer.

Has to be one of the best-value most impressive French red wines on the UK market. Special edition made for us by famed Chateauneuf grower Roger Sabon, the wine-maker is esteemed Didier Negron. Charmingly honest, hearty (15%!), herbal, dense and punchy, juicy red from the classic southern varieties of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault & friends. What a beauty, what a bargain. Although full-bodied the wine has soft tannins and a silky texture - this is the beauty of Southern Rhone reds, ready to enjoy as soon as they're made, unlike Bordeaux or Burgundy. Grenache in this hot sunny heaven gives ripe raspberry and black cherry notes and depth, Syrah gives a classic black pepper spice and dark-chocolate grip. A cool fennel / mint edge and lift. 'Declassified' as Vin de France, but this is not a 'negoce' wine made from bought-in grapes: all the grapes come from Sabon estates, and winemaking is by Didier Negron, as per their top wines. About Roger Sabon: Domaine Roger Sabon came into being in 1952 when the family vineyards were split into three distinct entities (the other two being Domaine Chante-Cigale and Clos Mont Olivet). Robert Parker, who awarded their 1988 vintage a perfect 100 rating, the first Chateauneuf-du-Pape so honoured, has this to say about Domaine Roger Sabon: �This estate has been at the top of its game for many years and any partisan of Rhone Valley wines� who has not yet tried a wine from Domaine Roger Sabon should make every effort to do so... This estate has been making exceptionally high-quality wines for years, but recent vintages seem to have risen to a new level of quality.�

Of the "Chateauneuf satellite" villages, Cairanne is the most recently-elevated, and most undervalued, sharing a ridge with Rasteau and a plateau with Gigondas et al. This star stood out for us as truly exceptional value, with such character and depth of plummy fruit, a classic black olive and herby edge. Quite a piece at the price, it's easily the peer of its neighbours. From the superb 2021 vintage, top producer, organic, no added sulphites. Thoroughly recommended.

Nice nose with notes of red fruit and Morello cherries. Very fresh, with soft tannins, it offers a nice balance and great complexity in the mouth and a long finish.

Full-bodied, fruity grenache-syrah blend made using fruit grown in the excellent southern Rh�ne region of Rasteau. This is ample and spicy with some deliciously ripe and juicy fruit, typical of the vintage.

Authentic baby wine from Chateauneuf's 1st Parker-100 grower. Unfiltered/unfined, supple, herbal, warming, a cracking value quaffer.

Has to be one of the best-value most impressive French red wines on the UK market. Special edition made for us by famed Chateauneuf grower Roger Sabon, the wine-maker is esteemed Didier Negron. Charmingly honest, hearty (15%!), herbal, dense and punchy, juicy red from the classic southern varieties of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault & friends. What a beauty, what a bargain. Although full-bodied the wine has soft tannins and a silky texture - this is the beauty of Southern Rhone reds, ready to enjoy as soon as they're made, unlike Bordeaux or Burgundy. Grenache in this hot sunny heaven gives ripe raspberry and black cherry notes and depth, Syrah gives a classic black pepper spice and dark-chocolate grip. A cool fennel / mint edge and lift. 'Declassified' as Vin de France, but this is not a 'negoce' wine made from bought-in grapes: all the grapes come from Sabon estates, and winemaking is by Didier Negron, as per their top wines. About Roger Sabon: Domaine Roger Sabon came into being in 1952 when the family vineyards were split into three distinct entities (the other two being Domaine Chante-Cigale and Clos Mont Olivet). Robert Parker, who awarded their 1988 vintage a perfect 100 rating, the first Chateauneuf-du-Pape so honoured, has this to say about Domaine Roger Sabon: “This estate has been at the top of its game for many years and any partisan of Rhone Valley wines… who has not yet tried a wine from Domaine Roger Sabon should make every effort to do so... This estate has been making exceptionally high-quality wines for years, but recent vintages seem to have risen to a new level of quality.”

"Small plot of 90yo Syrah and Grenache, high altitude, tiny yields and production, super rare. Tastes somehow between Cornas and Chateauneuf. Parker 94-96 ""thrilling notes of smoked dark fruits, pepper meats, graphite and big minerality... impressive across the board, might be the greatest Vinsobres Ive ever tasted"""

Parker 95 "The floral and garrigue nuances... are off-the-charts gorgeous, backed by concentrated black cherries and hints of dark chocolate. Full-bodied and intense, concentrated yet elegant, this is a terrific effort.... Soft, silky tannins wash over the tongue on the long-lasting finish, lending a certain gravitas to the overall experience..."

Parker "The superstar of Rasteau� drop-dead delicious red wines." Tiny yields, 100% hand picked. This is a beautiful, perfect expression of plump juicy warming Grenache.

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. "Old vine Syrah. Bramble and blackcurrant fruit with plenty of creamy oak in the mix too." AA, Jan 2021

100% Gamay (mid-1980s) from galet stone on red-brown clay soils at 350 metres at Givors, 50-100% destemmed, 15-16 day vinification, a little pumping over, then cap punching, aged 1-6 year 228-litre casks 12 months, unfined. A real charmer. Wine to enjoy with friends. Dark red, purple tints; has a strawberry jam aroma. This has a good, firm attack, holds dark red, mulberry fruit with life in it, and a late saline note. There�s crunch in the tannins (this is 50% whole bunch) and it�s very drinkable, shows a touch of late power, is good for la table. Its length sustains on red fruit, raspberry, is good and upbeat.

This 65ha estate in Lirac is managed by Ann Paly and her brother Christian, whose family have owned the domaine since the 17th century. They make Lirac and Tavel as well as this great value Cotes du Rhone made from mainly Grenache and Syrah on clay and limestone soils. Dark fruits and more savoury elements appear on the nose while the palate is fresh, darkly fruity with a spicy, liquorice finish. Excellent value.

For several generations, the Clavels have run this estate, founded in 1934 on the right bank of the Rh�ne, whose vast area (80 ha) allows them to offer a wide range of wines. Today, it is Claire who has been at the helm of this organic estate since 2008. Very consistent in quality and best known for its C�tes-du-Rh�ne and its Saint-Gervais villages. Juicy, fruity and versatile Southern Rhone red from Claire Clavel whose vineyards lie in Saint Gervais, one of the 'Villages' of the Cotes du Rhone.

Fruit! Glorious fruit! Oh my, what a delicious wine made up of Alicante Bouschet 70% and Grenache Noir 30%. The very friendliest Alicante we have ever tasted. Dreamy, sweet blueberry and fresh blackberry fruit that is pleasingly aromatic, juicy, seamless that sits just right on the palate. Perfect for when you want the pleasures of gorgeous fruit with nice depth and presence but with a delightful lightness of touch because of the moderate alcohol (only 12% abv) and pleasingly light, soft tannin. Utterly great on its own or with lighter meat dishes. Wonderful and unique. "Rhonejolais", if you will.

92 Points - Wine Spectator - A favourite Ch�teauneuf-du-Pape producer of Robert Parker, Domaine Roger Sabon, established in 1952 produces a modern style of wine, with the Cuv�e Les Olivets a stunning fruit forward Cuv�e from vines over 50 years of age. A bright ruby colour. Toasted, furry, brothy and undergrowth nose. Ripe tannins are assorted with ripe black cherry on the palate. With previous vintages rated as high as 99 points by Robert Parker - it shows the remarkable consistency of Roger Sabon's wines - Just exceptional and on par with the most expensive Ch�teauneuf du Pape - a must try !

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. Dense purple colour. Richly aromatic: black fruits, stewed plums, even some prune. Complex floral aromas too. A little reduced and herbal - high Syrah content? Full bodied and spicy with a tight, savoury palate and a robust tannin structure. Some juicy red plum on the finish, and a little richness from oak. Long. The patient buyer will be rewarded in another 7-10 years.

Always stellar value, and delightful in this fresher vintage 2021 bottling. Classic Northern Syrah nose and delicious medium weight utterly delicious and satisfying palate are certainly in check here on this, yet again, brilliant effort. The best value everyday-drinking Northern Rhone Syrah. There is good reasion why this wine has appeared 'by the glass' in many fine restaurants around the globe for many years.

"Red fruits and a pleasing herbal garrigue character. A clear step up. Plenty of character with wonderful lingering fruit." AA, Jan 2021

Made from a majority of Grenache, this most impressive wine is powerful and truly mouth watering. Red fruit notes with a long palate and lingering mature tannins. An absolute must for Rhone wine experts, from a true flagship wine grower.

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% abv). This is an utterly delicious take on C�tes du Rh�ne with Syrah leading the way backed up by Carignan and then Grenache. Beautiful balance and real elegance. Vigneron Frederic Julien has some talent!

Franck Faugiers 12 hectares of old vine Syrah are planted on the stony, red-clay and sandy soils of Les Ch�ssis, one of the most prized plots of land in all of Crozes-Hermitage. He works his vines as naturally as possible, utilizing Biodynamic farming methods to ensure the health of his soil and plants. From these stony soils, Franck is able to craft expressive, juicy Syrah that drinks with fabulous freshness, complexity and fruit intensity.

Laure Dubois runs this excellent estate with her husband Romain and started conversion to organic farming in 2019. 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 2019 is the second year in a row 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 Gramiller's Les Marcels is from a single vineyard (Les Marcels) planted to 85% Grenache (1.9 ha, planed in 1901 and 1960), 15% Mourv�dre (0.3 ha, 2011) from south west facing yellow marl soils on Les Marcels behind Les Girasols. The bunches are 70% destemmed and see a 3-4 week vinification at 25�-26�C. Both varieties are vinified separately. The wine sees small daily pump overs and no press wine added. The wine is then bred in concrete vat for six months. Bottled unfined and filtered. Certified organic. Only 2,000 bottles produced. A wonderful mix of rich ripe fruit that is so pure along with garrigue herbs, spices and fine dark chocolate, but with more freshness than one may expect. The wine still carries good matter and shall age very well, but Gramiller are top tier Rasteau that drink from the off.

A stunning single site Rasteau from organic vigneron Frederic Julien whose name is on everybody's lips. Gramiller 2020 was branded a top 'STGT' by leading Rhone writer John Livingston-Learnmouth. This is awarded when a wine reflects what John considers to be the beauty of the vineyard and the cellar in one bottle. STGT: the Soil to Glass Transfer John Livingstone-Learmonth on Drink Rhone: 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. "The 2020 Gramiller was a real winner." and was rated ****(*) "Full red robe; the nose has sunny intensity, offers raspberry in liqueur form, with sweet herbs alongside, pumice stone, a little mystery that can develop, emerge. The palate gives a good, clear stream of quite thick red fruited juice, is well derived from its Grenache, leads into a peppery, spearmint moment into the rather tight finish. Its energy is above average, and it has plenty of interest, is not obvious, needs delving into. High quality, persistent Rasteau here. 14.5�. VALUE". Drink from 2023 until 2036-38 tasted Feb 2022

A beautiful, precise Rasteau wine. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre woven together to produce a very elegant style. A complex nose of baked plums, blackberry, garrigue herbs and hibiscus flowers. Very fine balance on the mid-weight palate. Simply irresistible and utterly moreish. Bravo!

Reminiscent of a Proven�al street market (which I always get from classic Gigondas), it has ultra-fine tannin, excellent concentration and a rocking finish. Drink this beauty through 2029

Superb deep-purple colour. The powerful and complex nose develops notes of 'Garrigue', cocoa and black fruit. Its rich and smooth mouth offers aromas of blackberry and violet with a slightly minty finish and great length.

Ancient 12th century plot in the historic centre of the village. Parker 94-97 (2109 vintage) "prodigious Gigondas... only problem is that theres not enough of it... awesome aromatics of cassis, toasted spice, licorice, ground herbs, massive minerality... Rich and textured, as well as elegant, a rock-star 2012 that will have two decades of longevity". Proof again that Perrin are stars of the region.

Superb Cornas from the brothers becoming known as masters of the region. The Durands' top cuv�e, the 2017 Cornas Confidence comes from mature vines on the family's most granitic sites. Aged in 30% new oak, it combines notes of crushed stone, resiny herbs, almond paste, raspberries, blueberries and cassis into a harmonious whirl of intense flavor. Full-bodied, deep and concentrated, it's also richly tannic, picking up hints of mocha on the lengthy finish.

A very Clos des Papes vintage,' says Vincent Avril, and I know what he means - a vintage that naturally delivers the kind of fresh, elegant wines that this estate is famous for. A tasting of several foudres point to a wine with natural, easy balance. The Mourvèdre is excellent here this year, and adds great depth to the fresh and delightful Grenache that has notes of black tea, black cherry and iron. Elegant and very fine. Drinking Window 2023 - 2042 DECANTER, OCTOBER 2021, SCORE: 98 "2020 Chateauneuf du Pape looked exceptional on this day, offering up scents of framboise and kirsch alongside dried flowers and Asian spices. Full-bodied yet weightless, silky and long, this is special stuff, complex and balanced." Wine Advocate 96 - 98 55% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah, 5% others. Certified organic. Cask sample tasted at the domaine. Fragrant and fine aromatically with cherry and kirsch notes. Palate rich, suave and supple, the Grenache component to the fore. Tannins really fine and integrated offering length and persistence and devoid of any aggression. Not the power of some vintages but elegant and pure in style. (JL) Jancisrobinson.com 17.5/20

Cracking value Chateauneuf from Chateau Fargueirol, whose single varietal Chateauneufs are rightly praised as some of the most exciting wines from the region. Easy to drink young and made in a fruit forward, accessible Grenache-y style.

Cracking value Chateauneuf from Chateau Fargueirol, whose single varietal Chateauneufs are rightly priased as some of the most exciting wines from the region. Easy to drink young and made in a fruit forward, accessible Grenachey style.