The Brunier family, owners of Domaine de Vieux Telepraphe in Chateauneuf du Pape, also makes 'Piedlong'. The 2020 Piedlong is utterly gorgeous. Crunchy on the nose, with rose petal and loads of wild strawberries, there's a lacy textured, and just a hint of citrus, too. This is delicate, elegant Grenache. It comes very highly recommended. Soft and attractive, very silky with lovely juicy red fruits and touches of spice. Elegant yet rich. From the Piedlong plateau which has lighter, sandier soils compared to La Crau.

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

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.

"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 LEEPS 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!

"The medium lemon-colored 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc is full-bodied and rich. Swirling the glass unfurls enticing spring flower, yellow apple, orange peel and white peach aromas with a tropical splash of melon. This oily-textured 2021 is framed by moderate levels of bright acidity, keeping everything balanced. It shows superb purity and concludes with a complex finish." [Nicolas Greinacher, 29/06/2023]

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.

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.

Pale gold coloured wine with light green reflections. Elegant and precise nose of white peach, pear and then honey and pine kernel. Pure and flavourful palate with a contrasted balance between Mediterranean roundness and fresh finale. 100% Clairette Rose whole-bunch pressed, from sandy, galet stone soils on Pignan (N-E, 0.8 hectare, 1979-80) & Bédines (N-E, 0.2 hectare, 1982, 1984), Saintes Georges (N-E, 0.2 hectare, 1960s), 50% steel vat, 50% 1-year 228-litre oak cask fermented at up to 17.5°C, raised 5-6 months, 1-2 lees stirrings a week, malo blocked, 1,000 bottles only.

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!

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

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.

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.

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!

"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.

From a beautiful new northern site of Saint-Joseph on beaitiful granitic soil. A small allocation in 2023, so grab it now before it gets snapped up soonest!

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. 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Cinsault in 2022. 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. 94/100 Decanter Magazine, tasted by Matt Walls (at Rhône Valley, 18 Sep 2023) as Part of Gigondas, Vacqueyras & Beaumes de Venise 2022: Report and top-scoring wines. "Hugely aromatic at the time of tasting, with exuberant blackberry pâte de fruits notes. So juicy, lively and energetic, with balanced alcohol, fairly burly but buffed tannins and good length. Dark-fruited and beguiling. 30% whole bunch, aged 14 months in concrete". Drinking Window: 2026 - 2032 And "Grenache noir 70%, Syrah 20%, Cinsault 10%. Appealing floral aromatics here with sweet cherries, plums and spice. Detailed, concentrated, intriuging palate with pepper, dried herbs, lavender and thyme, and beautifully fresh but ripe cherry and plum fruit. Such focus and elegance here". 95/100 Jamie Goode on wineanorak.com

The 30 hectares of Coudoulet are located just east of the vineyard of Beaucastel on the other side of the A7 motorway. For reasons that have now become obvious, Coudoulet is often considered the baby Beaucastel. The Coudoulet soil has many similarities to that of Beaucastel. It is made out of Molasse seabed covered by diluvial alpine deposits. These pebbles called 'Galets Roulés' play a big role: They take in the heat during the day and let it if off slowly at night which gives a good start to the vines in the Spring.

"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.

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.

From a beautiful northern site of Saint-Joseph on beaitiful granitic soil. This wine is the geeks secret. We have a little more allocation in 2022, so grab it now before it gets snapped up soonest.

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

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.

"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!

From a beautiful northern site of Saint-Joseph on beaitiful granitic soil. This wine is the geeks secret. We have a little more allocation in 2023, so grab it now before it gets snapped up soonest.

"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!

Syrah 50% from Mercurol (1970s) & 50% from Larnage (early 2000s), destemmed, 21-25 day concrete vat vinification at 26°C, pumping overs, 2 x part vat empting/refillings, concrete vat raised until March, then raised 1-2 year 600-litre oak casks another 9-10 months, unfined, filtered, 2,000 bottles made. "This is from loess soils in Larnage and granitic soils in Erôme, aged 6 months in concrete and 1 year in barrel. Fresh and vivid with nice brightness to the juicy red fruits. There’s also some red cherry and a bit of plum. Hints of olive and black cherry, too. Very fine and expressive". Jamie Goode on wineanorak.com 94/100

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

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 new Muscat de Beaumes de Venise in 2023 from d'Ourea - 100% Muscat Petit Grain made in a a bright, not too sweet style. Invigorating and lovely.

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!

50% Grenache, 50% Mourvèdre. Vinified in stainless-steel tanks. Aged for 18 months in demi-muids (20%) and stainless-steel tanks (80%). "Tasted blind. The nose is shrouded in sweet oaky notes and raspberry compote. The palate is succulent, dense and concentrated, with firm and very fine tannins. Layered and fine, very well put together and beautifully judged oak on the palate. Very long and will age beautifully". Score 17.5/20 Alistair Cooper MW on jancisrobinson.com When to drink 2030 - 2042 Date tasted 5 Oct 2023 94-96+/100 Jeb Dunnuck

A rather unusual 100% Marsanne from a small appellation in the Northern Rhone. Textural, concentrated, impressive. Terrific wine. From the website of UK agent Thorman Hunt: A top star domaine. Yves Cuilleron took over the reins as the 4th generation vigneron in 1987. He is based in Chavanay, just south of Condrieu and has built up a formidable reputation in recent years. Always developing new ideas and cuvées, our tasting here each year is mightily impressive. We are lucky to have the allocation we do. Having started with Yves’ stunning Vin de France, we now have access to his amazing range of Grands Vins. He now owns and leases over 75 hectares. We think they are all great wines and they are all in the style of Yves Cuilleron – lingering, rich white wines and big rich minerally reds.

"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.

Chateau Fargueirol is on great form and offers traditional Chateauneuf du Pape at a superb price. Ripe and garriguey nose with impressive concentration but a nice easy going texture and ripe tannins that means it can be enjoyed young or after 3-10 years of cellaring.

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.

Aromas of flaky pastry and apricot, then powerful on the palate, with rich, unctuous baked apricot fruit. There's good, deep-set acidity within and it finishes dry with a luxurious spread across the palate. Classic white Châteauneuf that has sufficient interest and flavour even without any oak. Drink young. Fermented then aged in stainless steel.

100% Gamay (mid-1980s now grubbed up), 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. 2023 is the very last vintage produced of this lovely, unique take on Gamay from Givors. Grab it while you can, it's a great vintage and shall last 10-15 years (as is usual). 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.

Full-bodied and rich, yet silky, this blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Cinsault and 10% Syrah has a long finish It is a delicious CdP for early drinking. Founded in 1952 by Roger Sabon in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this prestigious estate stems from a family with roots in the region dating back to 1540. Known for traditional, elegant wines, it is managed by descendants (sons Denis, Gilbert) and winemaker Didier Négron. It produces acclaimed, high-quality wines from 18+ hectares of vineyard

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!