Rhône
The Rhône Valley, located in southeastern France, is renowned for its exceptional fine wines. With its diverse terroir, rich history, and dedication to quality winemaking, the Rhône Valley offers a captivating selection of wines that embody the region's elegance, complexity, and distinctive character.
The Rhône Valley boasts its own iconic vineyards and wineries, including Château de Beaucastel, Domaine Guigal, and Chapoutier, which are celebrated for producing exceptional wines that showcase the region's unique terroir and winemaking expertise.
The Rhône Valley is renowned for its red wines, particularly in the northern part of the region. Syrah reigns as the dominant grape variety, producing intense and structured wines. Appellations such as Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, and Cornas are known for their robust and age-worthy reds, often displaying notes of black fruits, spice, and earthiness. Famous vineyards such as La Landonne, La Mouline, and Les Bessards are revered for their exceptional expressions of Syrah.
In the southern Rhône Valley, Grenache takes centre stage, contributing to the region's bold and fruit-forward red blends. The renowned appellation of Châteauneuf-du-Pape is famous for its rich and full-bodied red wines, often featuring a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. Vineyards like Château de Beaucastel, Clos des Papes, and Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe produce remarkable wines that showcase the region's commitment to excellence.
The Rhône Valley is also celebrated for its white wines, particularly in the northern part of the region. Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne are the key grape varieties, producing aromatic and complex whites. Appellations like Condrieu and Hermitage produce exceptional white wines known for their floral aromas, stone fruit flavors, and vibrant acidity.
Rhône
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Vinous (97)
Vivid magenta. Seductive raspberry liqueur, exotic spice, potpourri and incense aromas, along with hints of musky rhubarb and smoky minerals. Juicy, seamless and energetic in style, offering densely packed red fruit, cherry cola, spicecake and floral pastille flavors that show superb delineation and spread out steadily as the wine opens up. Fine-grained, even tannins lend shape to a strikingly persistent, penetrating finish that shows intense red-fruit- and spice-driven tenacity. This wine is a standout of the vintage.保税价格￥ 6,055.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (95)
I was able to taste two wines from the 2017 vintage, and I suspect that no Quet cuvée was produced. The 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape checks in as a blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre that was brought up mostly in concrete tank, with 20% in older barrels. This powerful, ripe, incredibly sexy beauty should be snatched up by readers. Blackcurrants, black cherries, ground herbs, graphite, and licorice notes all flow to a deep, full-bodied, rockingly textured base cuvée that more than delivers the goods. Expansive, layered, and concentrated, it competes with most special cuvées out there. It's not for wimps. Drink this terrific wine over the coming decade.保税价格￥ 1,520.00 -
The Maxime Graillot Saint Joseph 2017 boasts top-tier craftsmanship and distinctive character. Born in France's Northern Rhône Valley, this superb red wine is a testament to the expertise of the esteemed Maxime Graillot - son and worthy successor of the hailed wine producer, Alain Graillot. Precision and skill in the Graillot vineyard and winery are self-evident in this exceptional expression.
Meticulously crafted from 100% Syrah grapes handpicked from 30-year-old vines, the Maxime Graillot Saint Joseph 2017 offers an alluring, glass-coating ruby hue. Its seductive bouquet is a complex mix of black fruits and spice, underlined with subtle hints of savoury smoked meat. On the palate, it is medium-bodied, revealing robust tannins and a superb balance of acidity and fruitiness, with an impressively long finish.
Maxime Graillot's 2017 Saint Joseph is an essential addition for connoisseurs seeking to explore refined yet traditional expressions of the region. It is a wine of provenance that truly benefits from the Graillot lineage.
保税价格￥ 3,770.00 -
The Nalys Chateauneuf Du Pape Blanc 2017, produced in the illustrious South Rhône wine region of France, showcases the classic charm of this world-renowned appellation. The esteemed Domaine de Nalys curates a symphony of white grapes: Roussanne, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, and Bourboulenc, which imbues elegance and complexity. Fermentation takes place in a blend of wooden vats and stainless steel tanks, followed by a 10-month maturation to create an inimitable balance of finesse. The wine unveils a rich aromatic profile, enriched with apricot, pear, and lavender trailed by a lasting minerality on the palate. Nalys Chateauneuf Du Pape Blanc 2017's organic methodology underscores its profound respect for nature, adhering to meticulous farming practices and hand harvesting techniques. Brace yourself for an illuminating experience, as every sip unveils an expressive kaleidoscope of sensations, a testament to the noble terroir of Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
保税价格￥ 7,320.00 -
The Nalys Chateauneuf Du Pape Saintes Pierres 2017 is an extraordinary expression of fine Rhône Valley viticulture. Lovingly produced by Domaine de Nalys, a revered winery with a deep history in the renowned Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC, the Saintes Pierres 2017 is a harmonious blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. An immediate sensory journey, the wine emits an enticing bouquet of ripe berries, punctuated by delicate hints of Provençal spices, while the palate is lavished by beautifully layered flavours enhanced by the vineyard's clay and limestone terroir. On the vine, the grapes are treated with respect for traditional winemaking methods and sustainable practices, hand-harvested at optimal ripeness to ensure quality. Spontaneous fermentation and gentle maturation processes further elevate the complexity and character of this remarkable option. In conclusion, the Nalys Chateauneuf Du Pape Saintes Pierres 2017 is a premier selection for those who appreciate the intrinsic romance and artistry of French wine craftsmanship.
保税价格￥ 3,715.00 -
保税价格￥ 6,770.00 -
Vinous (93)
Inky ruby. Powerful, mineral-driven aromas of ripe black/blue fruits, candied violet, olive and exotic spices. Densely packed and focused on the palate, offering bitter cherry and boysenberry flavors that unfold slowly with air and show sharp delineation. The blue fruit and floral notes drive a long, juicy finish given framework by dusty, slow-building tannins.保税价格￥ 3,230.00 -
Wine Advocate (94)
The 2017 Cote Rotie Domaine des Pierrelles is full-bodied but exceedingly elegant, with silky, fine-grained tannins. Charming notes of violets, raspberries and black olives lead the way, backed by hints of dried spices and mocha, finishing long. It's a complex and compelling example of Cote Rotie, and it's great to see all of the Jaboulet team's hard work in the vineyards paying off.保税价格￥ 3,700.00 -
Wine Advocate (94)
Bearing more than a passing resemblance to an actual Hermitage, the 2017 Crozes Hermitage Domaine de Roure comes from granitic soils, and it comes across as darker, more concentrated and sturdier than Jaboulet's other Crozes bottlings. Cassis and black olive notes abound in this full-bodied, structured wine, which finishes long and velvety, picking up hints of baking spices along the way.保税价格￥ 2,730.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (94)
This terroir always delivers a wild, opulent, gamey style of wine, and the 2017 Crozes-Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert doesn’t disappoint. Loads of chocolaty black fruits, ground pepper, truffle, and smoked game, as well as a hint of black olives, emerge from the glass, and it’s medium to full-bodied, has a rocking texture, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It’s a classic example of this wine and terroir. Drink it over the coming 15 years or so.保税价格￥ 1,515.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (99)
The 2017 Hermitage La Chapelle showed incredibly well and is a brilliant wine that's reminiscent of a richer, denser 2011. Loads of sun-kissed dark fruits, leather, graphite, and flowers, with ample spice and sandalwood nuances, give way to a full-bodied, pure, deep, multi-dimensional Hermitage that’s just about as good as it gets. The balance, length, and depth of this is something to behold, and while it unquestionably offers pleasure today, it has another 20-30 years of prime drinking ahead of it.保税价格￥ 5,770.00 -
James Suckling (97)
Enveloping, warm and spicy nose with an extremely wide spectrum of aromas, ranging from dried rose to graphite via thyme and smoked bacon. Very powerful, concentrated and earthy, yet there’s brightness in there that makes it shine, Stunningly fine tannins power the super-long finish. Drink or hold.保税价格￥ 3,100.00 -
Wine Advocate (94-96)
The 2017 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Réservée hits the standard assemblage: 80% Grenache, 6% Syrah, 4% Mourvèdre and 10% "others." Still in cask at the time of my visit, it has expressive floral and garrigue notes, plus hints of star anise layered over a base of black cherries. Full-bodied, deep and rich, this looks like a vintage to set aside for a while, with at least 15 years of longevity ahead of it.保税价格￥ 5,335.00 -
Wine Advocate (94-96)
The 2017 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Réservée hits the standard assemblage: 80% Grenache, 6% Syrah, 4% Mourvèdre and 10% "others." Still in cask at the time of my visit, it has expressive floral and garrigue notes, plus hints of star anise layered over a base of black cherries. Full-bodied, deep and rich, this looks like a vintage to set aside for a while, with at least 15 years of longevity ahead of it.保税价格￥ 1,920.00 -
The Philippe Pacalet Cornas 2017 is a stunning embodiment of sublime French viniculture. Produced in Cornas, France with Syrah grapes of 2017 vintage, this grand concoction bespeaks Pacalet's experiential savoir-faire. Trained in Beaune, Philippe Pacalet contemplated his own biodynamic method, creating pure, elegant wines with minimal intervention, using native yeasts for fermentation and not adding sulfites until bottling.
Description of the Philippe Pacalet Cornas 2017 possesses a delightful nose brimming with black fruit, supplemented by notes of pepper, smoked meat, and leather. The palate unfolds a generous mesh of fine tannins and refreshing minerality. The finish is impressively long with lingering nuances of herbs, smoke, and chocolate.
Pacalet's wines are deemed as the epitome of natural winemaking in Burgundy. His inimitable style and the relentless pursuit of perfection have positioned the small-yield Philippe Pacalet Cornas 2017 as a sought-after collector's gem in fine wine stratosphere.
保税价格￥ 8,600.00 -
Wine Advocate (94)
The 2017 Saint Joseph offers up effusive notes of mint, black olives and black cherries. As usual, the Gonons have managed to combine herbal, savory and fruity elements into a compelling, harmonious whole. The wine is medium to full-bodied and fully ripe, perhaps not quite as lush and fruit-driven as the 2018, but it's still a tremendous success, capped off by gentle tannins and salted licorice on the long finish.保税价格￥ 19,490.00 -
Wine Advocate (94)
The 2017 Saint Joseph offers up effusive notes of mint, black olives and black cherries. As usual, the Gonons have managed to combine herbal, savory and fruity elements into a compelling, harmonious whole. The wine is medium to full-bodied and fully ripe, perhaps not quite as lush and fruit-driven as the 2018, but it's still a tremendous success, capped off by gentle tannins and salted licorice on the long finish.保税价格￥ 5,045.00 -
Domaine Pierre Usseglio was founded way back in 1948 by Francis Usseglio. His son Pierre took over in 1960. Today this estate is managed by Pierre’s two children Jean-Pierre Usseglio and Thierry Usseglio. Domaine Pierre Usseglio owns 24 hectares of vineyards over 17 different, quite small, parcels in some of the best Châteauneuf du Pape vineyards.保税价格￥ 3,675.00 -
Vinous (93)
Deep, brilliant violet. A mineral-tinged bouquet evokes ripe black and blue fruits, peony and licorice, and a peppery flourish builds as the wine opens up. Shows impressive energy on the palate, offering juicy boysenberry and cherry compote flavors complemented by suggestions of spicecake and candied licorice. Sweet and seamless in texture, finishing on a lingering floral note, with impressive energy and smooth, harmonious tannins.保税价格￥ 5,980.00 -
Wine Advocate (98)
Even better than last year, the recently bottled 2017 Cote Rotie La Cote Blonde was singing when I tasted it back in July. Floral and berry notes accent mocha-tinged aromas in this medium to full-bodied wine. It's silky, long and intense, with a couple of decades of life ahead of it. It's simply difficult to describe the waves of savory complexity this wine now shows, coupled with a succulent texture and tremendous length.保税价格￥ 1,955.00 -
Wine Advocate (98)
Even better than last year, the recently bottled 2017 Cote Rotie La Cote Blonde was singing when I tasted it back in July. Floral and berry notes accent mocha-tinged aromas in this medium to full-bodied wine. It's silky, long and intense, with a couple of decades of life ahead of it. It's simply difficult to describe the waves of savory complexity this wine now shows, coupled with a succulent texture and tremendous length.保税价格￥ 5,955.00 -
Wine Advocate (99)
Have I shortchanged Rostaing's incredible 2017 Cote Rotie Cote Brune? Swirling notes of roses, herbal tea and lavender potpourri impart kaleidoscopic complexity on the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate is creamy-ripe in texture yet silky, lithe and downright sexy. Firm tannins on the lengthy finish leave a lasting impression of longevity, of restrained intensity that should carry this wine at least two decades into the future.保税价格￥ 3,930.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (95-97+)
A bigger, richer, more brooding wine, the 2017 Côte Rôtie La Landonne boasts stunning (and classic La Landonne) aromas and flavors of black fruits, smoked meat, and scorched earth. Full-bodied, beautifully concentrated, and structured, this is one of the few 2017s that’s going to really demand cellaring.保税价格￥ 1,825.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (94-96)
The same blend as the 2016, the 2017 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Prestige is another inky colored wine from this estate that has an elegant, mineral-laced, balanced profile that’s very much in the style of the 2017 vintage. Blackberries, raspberries, crushed rocks, ground pepper, and violet notes all give way to a full-bodied 2017 that has terrific purity, no hard edges, building tannin, and a great finish. It's going to hit the ground running and cruise in good cellars for two decades. It has slightly more freshness and minerality than the Reserve cuvée.保税价格￥ 1,715.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (99)
On another level, the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Le Secret Des Sabon is stacked and packed and ranks with the top 2-3 wines in this great vintage. A huge nose of blackcurrants, melted licorice, graphite, garrigue and pepper gives way to an uber-full-bodied, concentrated, massively endowed wine that has an insane level of opulence and decadent, sweet tannins, and a huge finish. This is a tour de force in wine that readers need to taste to believe. Given its wealth of fruit and texture, it’s already approachable, yet a solid 4-5 years of bottle age are warranted, and it's going to keep for 25 years or more. Bravo! As always, this cuvée is a field blend that’s 95% Grenache, with the balance a mix of varieties, mostly from sandy soils, brought up in oak tronconique tanks.保税价格￥ 6,450.00 -
Wine Advocate (94-96)
Sabon's 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve should be a stellar wine worthy of cellaring when it's released. The sample I was shown displayed gorgeous red fruit aromas of raspberries and strawberries allied to darker notes of plum and chocolate. This full-bodied, richly concentrated wine is packed and stacked, loaded with ripe tannins that should guarantee a long life.保税价格￥ 2,085.00 -
Vinous - Josh Raynolds (94-97)
Deep shimmering magenta. Intensely perfumed, sharply delineated raspberry and boysenberry liqueur aromas are complicated by suggestions of candied flowers and exotic spices, and a subtle touch of earthiness emerges as the wine opens up. Palate-staining red and blue fruit, spicecake and lavender pastille flavors deepen steadily through the midpalate. Blends power and delicacy with a sure hand and finishes extremely long and spicy, with repeating red berry and floral character and fine-grained, harmonious tannins that come in late.保税价格￥ 5,780.00 -
Vinous (95-96)
Glistening magenta. A complex, highly perfumed bouquet evokes ripe red and blue fruits, potpourri and incense, along with smoky mineral and exotic spice topnotes. Sweet and expansive on the palate, offering deeply concentrated yet surprisingly energetic boysenberry, Chambord, floral pastille and spicecake flavors that slowly tighten up on the back half. The strikingly long, floral- and spice-driven finish shows superb delineation and fine-grained, harmonious tannins.保税价格￥ 5,140.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
Even better (as well as a perfect wine), the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Collection Charles Giraud checks in as a nominal blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre that was brought up in demi-muids. It reveals a deep purple color as well as heavenly notes of blackberry and currant fruits intermixed with loads of cured meats, spice box, Asian spices, and a distinct loamy soil and minerality. Always more structured and powerful than the Reserve Auguste Favier release (no doubt due to the Mourvèdre component), it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, building yet polished tannins, flawless balance, and a great, great finish. Pure perfection in a glass, it’s as good as wine gets. Give bottles 2-4 years and enjoy over the following two decades. Hats off to winemaker Isabelle Ferrando for yet another thrilling wine!保税价格￥ 10,200.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
Even better (as well as a perfect wine), the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Collection Charles Giraud checks in as a nominal blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre that was brought up in demi-muids. It reveals a deep purple color as well as heavenly notes of blackberry and currant fruits intermixed with loads of cured meats, spice box, Asian spices, and a distinct loamy soil and minerality. Always more structured and powerful than the Reserve Auguste Favier release (no doubt due to the Mourvèdre component), it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, building yet polished tannins, flawless balance, and a great, great finish. Pure perfection in a glass, it’s as good as wine gets. Give bottles 2-4 years and enjoy over the following two decades. Hats off to winemaker Isabelle Ferrando for yet another thrilling wine!保税价格￥ 4,810.00
