With the weather finally turning cooler, we’re beginning to reach for richer reds from the southern half of France. Today we’re highlighting three of our favorites from three of the Rhône Valley’s most famous appellations: Cornas, Côte Rôtie, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
All are intense, rich, meaty and just delicious — they’re available by the bottle, but if you pick up a mixed case we’ll throw in free shipping, and reduce the price by $61 so one bottle is free.
Tunnel Cornas 2016: $59/bot
Our newest Rhône producer is often cited as one of the best sources in the appellation. It took us years to secure an allocation here, but their pure Syrah wines have lived up to every bit of hype. The nose shows inky, woodsy flavors — violets and blackberry mix with underbrush and mushrooms.
Vinous: 92 points “Taut, sharply focused black and blue fruit flavors show very good delineation, and a smoky mineral element adds lift and back-end cut. Fine-grained tannins add subtle grip to a spicy, floral-dominated finish that hangs on with strong tenacity.”
Bonnefond Côte Rôtie “Côte Rozier” 2015: $72/bot
Syrah simply doesn’t get any better than this. From a plot bordering the legendary La Landonne, the Bonnefond brothers produce only 125 cases of their Côte Rozier per year.
Vinous: 93-95 points “Explosive aromas of ripe red and dark berries, cherry-cola, incense, Asian spice and smoky minerals, plus a suggestion of woodsmoke. Spicy, deeply concentrated raspberry, cassis and cherry pie flavors show superb focus and energy, and a sexy floral pastille quality emerges as the wine opens up. Delivers a compelling blend of richness and finesse, finishing with superb mineral lift, harmonious tannins and outstanding, floral-driven persistence.”
[MYSTERY] Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2015: $56/bot
We’re not permitted to release the name of this winemaker, but they’re one of Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s most well known and well respected sources. But don’t take our word for it:
Vinous: 93-95 points “Sexy, high-pitched red berry preserve, floral pastille and Asian spice aromas show outstanding clarity. Sappy, penetrating black raspberry, spicecake and licorice flavors gain weight with air and pick up suggestions of blood orange and smoky minerals. Shows impressive depth and polish, alluring sweetness and no rough edges.”
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Mixed Case: 4 of Each Wine
$748 $695/case
FREE US SHIPPING