A legendary wine. Now comes as a cellar release direct from the Domaine in 2022. Grab it while you can! Cote Rotie is often seen as feminine, and here the 4% Viognier no doubt has its part to play but it is the magisterial elegance and profundity of the Syrah which takes the breath away. 98 points Decanter

Succulent and plush on the nose, with spicy oak and ripe, rounded fruit. Peppery persistence on the finish. Firm, chewy structure. Meat and black pepper on the length.

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"

A blend of 65% Grenache 15% Syrah 15% Mourvedre and a small proportion of white varieties and Cinsault. 30% whole bunches from the old vines Grenache were included in the 2013 blend. All from the fine La Crau vineyard in the Bedarrides commune from vines averaging 60 years old. The grapes are part de-stemmed and after fermentation the wine is aged for ten months in concrete vats followed by ten months in wooden foudres. This gradually opens up on the nose and the palate is svelte but serious. Wonderful brightness and clarity. Harmonious, self-assured and complex without ever being heavy or cumbersome. The palate offers bright sweet, small sweet berry flavours flecked with minerals, gentler and easier than usual but with a certain gravitas nonetheless and a nice, moreish touch of austerity.

A stunning wine this vintage from this world-renowned producer. Cuvée “Les Racines” showcases the vineyard parcels surrounding the winery—the origin of the domaine with the oldest vines—with the emphasis on freshness and extravagant cornucopian fruit.

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..."

Alistair Cooper MW Jancisrobinson.com 18.5/20 "Cask samples tasted at the domaine. Foudre sample 1: Nose is crackling with energy. A yeasty dark-fruit core with strawberry, liquorice and mouth-watering freshness. There is minerality here alongside an elegant and beautifully rounded palate. Foudre sample 2: A spice-led nose, with a hint of reduction. Beautiful purity and vibrancy with a fine peppery streak – so much energy and refined tannins. This is already absolutely delicious. Foudre sample 3: Dark chocolate and forest fruits on the nose. Marked firm and fine tannins – this shows real richness and weight as well as beautiful spice."

Alistair Cooper MW Jancisrobinson.com 18.5/20 "Cask samples tasted at the domaine. Foudre sample 1: Nose is crackling with energy. A yeasty dark-fruit core with strawberry, liquorice and mouth-watering freshness. There is minerality here alongside an elegant and beautifully rounded palate. Foudre sample 2: A spice-led nose, with a hint of reduction. Beautiful purity and vibrancy with a fine peppery streak – so much energy and refined tannins. This is already absolutely delicious. Foudre sample 3: Dark chocolate and forest fruits on the nose. Marked firm and fine tannins – this shows real richness and weight as well as beautiful spice."

Guigal's 2018 Crozes Hermitage reveals another level of ripeness and plushness. It's full-bodied, maybe even a little jammy (not a problem at this youthful stage of its evolution), without being heavy or overdone.

91/100 Jeb Dunnuck "The 2017 Lirac is only 40% to 50% Grenache, instead of the usual 65% (the remainder is Syrah). It offers up spicy, dark-fruited flavors of cola and plum, framed by soft tannins. It's medium to full-bodied, with a long, velvety finish that hints at licorice."

The Duclaux brothers farm 14 hectares in the southern end of Côte Rôtie and the northern end of Condrieu. These are wines, as Benjamin explains, that are softer and silkier than those from other parts of Côte Rôtie.

Superb Cornas from the brothers becoming known as masters of the region. The Durands' top cuvée, 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.

Syrah (33% 1940, 1945, 33% 1997-1999, 33% 2005-2013) from 0.72 hectare on gore, decomposed red granite, N-E facing, late ripening slope on Coteau de Blanchard, rented vineyard (from the late Gérard Villano & family) taken over Jun 2012, 50-90% destemmed, 2-3 day cool maceration at 10-12°C, 2-3 week vinification, cap punchings, a little pumping over, aged 1-6 year 228-litre casks 12 months, unfined, unfiltered. There’s very elegant fruit as the palate opens, real good cut and notably aromatic precision. This has a pure quality, a rather sultry note in the fruit. It’s good now, but will keep doing well until 2027-28.

An aged parcel from Xavier's cellar. 2013 was a curious vintage. Grapes with little development mid-August, all saved by a fabulous Indian summer. Xavier's first solo vintage and a challenging one, but a very special one. There is no Viognier in 2013 and there are more stems than is normal. What Xavier produced may not be as lifted and elegant as mormal, but it is a fabuloulsly classic Northern Rhone Sytah that really is aging beautifully. Interesting now, but with at least 10 years. "85% destemmed and aged 24 months in 10% new barrels and demi-muid, it offers classic, northern-styled minerality, iron, spring flowers and darker styled fruits. Tight, focused and beautifully pure, with a classic feel in its tannin and acid structure, give this beauty another 2-3 years and enjoy bottles through 2025." Drink 2016-2025, 90-92/100 Jeb Dunnock from erobertparker.com #216, Dec 2014

Cote Rotie is often seen as feminine, and here the 4% Viognier no doubt has its part to play but it is the magisterial elegance and profundity of the Syrah which takes the breath away.

A masterpiece from the master of White Rhone.

92 Points - Wine Spectator - A favourite Châteauneuf-du-Pape producer of Robert Parker, Domaine Roger Sabon, established in 1952 produces a modern style of wine, with the Cuvée Les Olivets a stunning fruit forward Cuvée 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 Châteauneuf du Pape - a must try !

One of the best value examples, creamy and dense, with that classic anise list. Big wine. Made from only 1 hectare of white varieties that the estate has scattered in their various parcels with sandier and calcareous soils. Each variety is harvested by hand and pressed into a 25HL oak vat for fermentation by indigenous yeasts, after primary fermentation it remains in the same vat until bottling in April after the harvest.

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

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

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.

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

Superb old vine Syrah from the Southern Rhone blossoming after 10 years aging in cellars.

A blend of 40% each Marsanne and Roussanne, plus 20% Grenache Blanc, the 2020 Cotes du Rhone Blanc La Ponce is floral and spicy, with marked pear and melon aromas. It's fruit-forward and medium to full-bodied, with a plush, silky texture and a long finish redolent of anise and white pepper.

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

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.

Rasteau aged in Amphora by this great Southern Rhone estate. Silky smooth, with a touch more restraint. Classy stuff.

89/100 Jeb Dunnuck "The 2014 Châteauneuf du Pape les Sinards is a solid effort in the vintage and while it functions as a young vine/second wine cuvee for the Perrin Family, it trumps many an estate’s top cuvee. Floral, elegant and perfumed with lively notes of plums, blackberry, underbrush, pepper and licorice, it has good acidity, medium-bodied richness and outstanding length. It will drink nicely for 7-8 years."

Jancisrobinson.com 17.5/20 "Wow, really expressive nose – honeycomb and Conference pear. Rich palate with plenty of freshness and a sense of sweetness too, lemon verbena and bergamot. Drinking beautifully now but will improve with time. Fresh and also has broad shoulders at the same time."

Parker 94 "Two wines that blew me away were the old vine Gigondas cuvees! The 2011 Gigondas Domaine du Clos des Tourelles shows shocking depth and concentration in the vintage, with full-bodied power, beautiful ripeness and sweet tannin. Showing plenty of cedar, spice and meaty dark fruits, it is one serious Gigondas to drink over the coming decade or more."

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

Charbonnière has 12 hectares of prime vineyard in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and 4.5 hectares in Vacqueyras. This is a top quality domaine making rich, succulent wines of great style. Michel Maret has now handed over the running of the property to his daughters. Their white is now one of the best in the region, made from 40% Roussanne, 40% Grenache Blanc and 20% Clairette.

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

Superb Cornas from the brothers becoming known as masters of the region. The 2018 Cornas Premices comes from the brothers' young vines, but it is a concentrated, stony example in its own right. Dark in hue, it offers up scents of red plums and crushed stone, plus subtle herb and floral shadings. Medium to full-bodied, with a silky texture and a refreshing hit of licorice on the lengthy finish, it's approachable now, yet should drink well for at least 5-6 years.

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!

"Robust and fruity. Hot, but sumptuous. Though there is some dried fruit (prune, etc.) identifiable, it is not overpoweringly so. If anything this adds complexity. The acidity gives the wine beautiful poise."

Franck Faugiers 12 hectares of old vine Syrah are planted on the stony, red-clay and sandy soils of Les Châssis, 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.

Dense.herbal and oaky aromatics unfold elegantly onto a full-bodied, powerful and lush palate. It is full of plush fruit and muscular, thunderous power in an old-school style. There is a lot to enjoy here all the way to a long finish lengthened by fine tannins and piercing acidity. 98 points Decanter Magazine

Parker 96/100 "Hints of violets and lavender appear alongside mixed berries on the nose of the 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape Prestige. While not overwhelmingly concentrated or dense, it's beautifully balanced, being medium to full-bodied on the palate, smooth and supple in feel and fresh on the cooling and silky finish, where it adds hints of mocha and darker fruit while retaining a sense of etherealness. It should drink well for a decade, perhaps a bit longer." Robert M. Parker, Jr (the world’s most influential wine reviewer), 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 (especially the southern Rhone) who has not yet tried a wine from Domaine Roger Sabon should make every effort to do so. …the finest back-to-back vintages I have ever tasted from this 42-acre estate run by the large Sabon family, in this case, Jean-Jacques (recently deceased), Julien, Gilbert and Denis (Note: the helm is currently being turned over to the succeeding and equally capable generation, Didier Negron, Delphine and Julien Sabon). They own 15 parcels spread throughout the appellation, most of them concentrated in the western and eastern sectors north of the village. The domaine occupies about seventeen hectares of prime vineyards in some of the best sites of Chateauneuf - Les Cabrieres, La Crau, Courthezon and Nalys, and all with "galets roules" the sizeable stones that soak up the sun and release the warmth to the vines at night. The vines are a minimum age of 50 years, with 90-year-old vines for the Cuvee Prestige. They are mainly Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvedre, but Muscardin, Terret, Vaccarese and Counoise are also included in their Cuvee Prestige. This estate has been making exceptionally high-quality wines for years, but recent vintages seem to have risen to a new level

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