{"title":"November 5: Rhone Valley North to South","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"domaine-courbis-saint-joseph-la-cotte-sud-rhone-france-2020","title":"Domaine Courbis, Saint-Joseph 'La Cotte Sud' Rhône, France, 2020","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe origins of the Courbis family estate date back to the 16th century. More recently, the brothers Dominique and Laurent Courbis have succeeded their father, Maurice, who was the mayor of Chateaubourg, their hometown. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll the grapes are harvested by hand and yields are kept to an average of 30 hl\/ha. The fruit is 100% destemmed and the maceration period for the Syrahs lasts between two and three weeks. The wines mature in oak casks which are new or up to three years old. The red wines are fined with egg whites but not filtered and are bottled between two and three years of the harvest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wines of the Courbis estate are some of the most compelling examples of St. Joseph and Cornas being made today. The Courbis brothers have combined their long family experience with a modern style and this has earned them international recognition. Robert Parker sums it up in his book on Rhone wines: “Courbis is a name to watch in the Northern Rhone.” Courbis wines regularly receive rave reviews in Wine Spectator, International Wine Cellar, The Wine Advocate and Revue du Vin de France.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemakers\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLaurent and Dominique Courbis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrapes\/Blend\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSyrah\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eRhône, France\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLa Cotte Sud is from a 1 hectare, south-facing parcel located on the Glun\/Châteaubourg border, 500 meters from the Courbis winery. The vineyard is on a steep slope with a granite-sand-stony soil. Laurent and Dominique planted the vines in 1993 with the hope of eventually producing an exceptional St-Joseph wine that parallels their Cornas La Sabarotte. Prior to 2015, the Cotte Sud fruit was blended into the Domaine’s basic St Joseph. The Courbis brothers chose to launch their new cuvee in extraordinary 2015 vintage because the wine attained quality level they aimed for. It was vinified over 4 weeks in stainless steel tanks to extract as much color and flavor as possible. It was then aged in 50% new and one-year-old oak casks for 16 months and underwent its malolactic fermentation in cask. The Cotte Sud is Courbis’ most dramatic St-Joseph wine. 250 cases produced.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e94 - 96 Points - Jeb Dunnuck\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlso terrific, the 2020 Saint Joseph La Cotte Sud has a riper, spicier style in its red and black fruits, scorched earth, violets, and spicy, incense, and meaty nuances. It's another powerful, concentrated, yet beautifully balanced and impeccably made wine from this team.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e92-94 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStill aging in 50% new oak at the time of my visit, the 2020 Saint Joseph La Cotte Sud—from a hectare of vines planted on south-facing granitic soils in 1986—is a dense, powerful expression of the terroir. Offering up hints of violets and blueberries on the nose, it's fruity and ripe on the full-bodied palate, with plenty of richness on the mocha-tinged finish. It should be bottled in May or June of 2022. It was great to be back at the Courbis's hillside tasting room in the tiny commune of Châteaubourg, hosted by the always genial Laurent Courbis. We started with prepared barrel samples of the 2020s, a vintage which he said, \"[is] ripe but fresh, aromatic, with great balance, similar to 2017.\" We then moved into the bottled 2019s, which are another solid vintage for the Courbis family, although maybe lacking some of the spark of 2020. These are modern, ripe, sometimes oaky wines that I'm sure make some purists wince but which provide immense pleasure and have yet to see prices soar out of reach. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Authentic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48462401339697,"sku":null,"price":57.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/DomaineCourbis_Saint-JosephLaCotteSud_Rhone_France_2020.jpg?v=1710017624"},{"product_id":"chateau-de-saint-cosme-gigondas-france-2022","title":"Château de Saint Cosme, Gigondas, Rhône, France, 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSaint Cosme - located north to the village of Gigondas - is the most ancient estate in the region. Lying on the site of a Gallo-Roman villa which very probably already had its own vineyard, the estate's existence in 1416 is attested by a document mentioning the granting by Jean de Chalon, Price of Orange, of \"land for the planting of vines on the Saint Cosme slopes.\" The Barruol's ancestors acquired it in 1570, and at the end of the sixteenth century built a splendid residence over existing cellars.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChâteau de Saint Cosme is the leading estate of Gigondas and produces the benchmark wines of the appellation. The property has been in the hands of the Barruol family since 1490. Louis Barruol took over from his father in 1992 making a dramatic shift to quality and converting to biodynamics in 2010.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"read-more__remainder expanded\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe estate lies in the heart of Gigondas where 15 hectares of vineyard grow in the shade of the Dentelles de Montmirail mountain. In addition to the estate-grown wines labeled “Château de Saint Cosme,” Louis Barruol buys grapes from contracted growers, labeling these “négociant” wines simply as “Saint Cosme.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLouis Barruol\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e70% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, 14% Syrah, 1% Cinsault\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRhône\u003c\/span\u003e, France\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe wine shows intense blackberry and fig fruit with licorice, violets, and charcoal on the finish. It is remarkably fresh and finessed given the sun and warmth of the southern Rhône. The unique micro-climate combined with 60-year-old vines and traditional winemaking make Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas the benchmark wine of the appellation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e94 Points - James Suckling\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003ePrecise, textured and lively with aromas of wild berries, blackberries, dried thyme, bay leaves, baking spices and dried flowers on the nose. Full-bodied with fine tannins. Dense and chalky with a vivid core of sweet berries and spices mingling on the mid-palate and onto the peppery, powdery finish.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e94 Points - Decanter\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eMenthol notes and complex herbal essences. Soft, easy-going, the oak helps to bring some welcome polish and sheen, with well-balanced acidity. This is a successfully constructed wine in a tricky vintage, showing good winemaking.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e94 Points - Wine Spectator\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eExpressive notes of pomegranate and raspberry show pretty lavender perfume alongside wafts of apple wood smoke and black pepper. Fine yet substantial tannins hold a firm grip, with graphite power building. Concentrated and firmly structured on a sleek, powerful frame. Tightly wound, this will be even better with a few years in the cellar. Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault. Best from 2026 through 2037.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e92-94 Points - Wine Advocate\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eA prospective blend of the 2022 Gigondas looks like one of the best ever from this estate, where proprietor Louis Barruol is continually striving to improve, particularly in the vineyards. It's impressively full-bodied without being heavy, showcasing wonderfully ripe black cherry fruit, a rich, velvety mouthfeel and a lingering finish.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WINEBOW","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50376338309425,"sku":null,"price":63.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Chateau_de_Saint_Cosme_Gigondas_Rhone_France_2022.jpg?v=1759500263"},{"product_id":"pierre-gaillard-operation-dragoon-rouge-cotes-du-rhone-france-2021","title":"Pierre Gaillard, \"Operation Dragoon\" Rouge, Côtes du Rhône, France, 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eCodename for the Allied invasion of Southern France, Operation Dragoon was launched August 15, 1944. During the next month, the French army liberated Toulon and Marseille while the American soldiers advanced National Route 7 with the help of the French Resistance to release the Rhône Valley. This four week campaign, combined with D-Day, was instrumental in the ending of the war. This blend of 70% Grenache, 30% Syrah is the homage to all those people who liberated the Rhone Valley, helping bring peace back to the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen he was 12 years old, he was caught plowing a nearby parcel with a horse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe studied Viticulture and Enology in Beaune, and obtained a Graduate Diploma in Winemaking from Montpellier. Vineyard Manager for a highly-regarded estate in Côte-Rôtie. In 1987, he established his own business in the upper part of the medieval town of Malleval with vineyards in the northern part of the Rhone Valley, ranging from Côte-Rôtie down through Cornas in the South. His wines are generous and express clear and precise fruity aromas, with a profound color and refined tannins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePierre finds his inspiration all the while respecting the \"raw material\" – in other words: the grape harvest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eWinemaker\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003ePierre Gaillard\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e70% Grenache, 30% Syrah\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eRhône, France\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eTerrific value that offers lots of peppery herbs, spice and juicy berry fruit. Medium-bodied, beautifully textured and straight up delicious.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFresh wild strawberries and herbs de Provence with a hint of smoked meat and lavender on the finish. Fine tannins and bright acid. A very clean expression of the Rhone Valley.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e91 Points - Wine Independent\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThe 2021 Operation Dragoon, 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah, is medium garnet-purple in color. It comes skipping out of the glass with bright cheery notes of black raspberries, mulberries, and kirsch followed by hints of black pepper and garrigue. The medium-bodied palate is soft and juicy, with lively red berry flavors and a spicy kick to the finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"USA Wine West","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50963078742321,"sku":null,"price":21.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Pierre_Gaillard_Operation_Dragoon_Rouge_Cotes_du_Rhone_France_2021.jpg?v=1742328034"},{"product_id":"jean-louis-chave-selection-farconnet-hermitage-rhone-valley-france-2021","title":"Jean-Louis Chave Sélection, \"Farconnet\" Hermitage, Rhône Valley, France, 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eGoing back to 1481, when the first Jean-Louis Chave was gifted a vineyard in St Joseph by the nobleman Farconnet, 25 generations have farmed some of the best parcels in the Northern Rhône. Though now known as perhaps the best producer of Hermitage (and certainly among the best blenders in the world), the family only expanded to this famous hill during the mid-1800s wave of phylloxera that decimated Europe's vineyards. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the 1970s, when Gerard Chave took over from his father, the domaine rapidly achieved megastar status due to the extraordinary quality of his wines. Gerard's son Jean-Louis (25th of his name) now oversees the estate and has shown an ever expanding dedication to improving the already stunning quality of these rare wines. Jean-Louis Chave regularly dedicates the domaine to intense and exacting projects, the benefits of which will be seen by future generations. Indeed, the estate employs three full time stonemasons just to repair the traditional stone walls dotting the vineyards. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince the 1990s, Jean-Louis Chave has offered a second label known as 'J.L. Chave Sélection' that provides a glimpse of the reason for the estate's fame at a fraction of the price. Many of these wines are from declassified estate wine and long term farming contracts, and are vinified in the domaine's primary cellar in Mauves. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFarconnet\u003c\/strong\u003e was the name of a nobleman back in the time of JeanLouis Chave’s great grandfather. He was actually the man from whom the great grandfather bought the Bessards parcel.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cem\u003eClick \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/6PUKo9d8jjk\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e to watch our YouTube video about this wine!\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWinemaker\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eJean-Louis Chave\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eHermitage AOC, Rhône Valley, France\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrapes\/Blend\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSyrah\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eAn adept Syrah, dense aromas of cigar box live large on the palate magnified by dollops of white pepper, thick with crushed plums and a youthful, roughened texture. This is a dark Hermitage, sinful to drink now, but one that will reward after years in the cellar. The Syrah for this wine comes from three unique sites on Hermitage Hill. Three different soils' compositions impart individual attributes to the wine. Sandy clay and pebbly soils from the base of the hill provide notes of peppery spice and sand; limestone, from a site further up the hill, provides elegant structure; and from Greffreux, at the base of Le Meal, large river stones impart the flesh and substance in this hearty red. Chave always vinifies very traditionally, using old oak vats. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Shiverick","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51255917379889,"sku":null,"price":78.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Jean-Louis_Chave_Selection_Farconnet_Hermitage_Rhone_Valley_France_2021.jpg?v=1744725903"},{"product_id":"domaine-de-la-charbonniere-chateauneuf-du-pape-cuvee-mourre-des-perdrix-rhone-france-2022","title":"Domaine de la Charbonnière, 'Cuvée Vieilles Vignes,' Châteauneuf du Pape, Rhône, France, 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eIt was in 1912 that Eugene Maret bought Domaine de la Charbonniere as a gift for his wife who was a native of Chateauneuf and the daughter of a winemaker. Their son Fernand Maret inherited a part of the Domaine and enlarged it upon the birth of his son Michel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToday Michel Maret had over 16 hectares of vineyards located in the high plateaux of Les Brusquieres and La Crau both covered with the famous cailloux roulets and at Mourre des Perdix, sandy soil dotted with larger stones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe passion and know-how of the winemaker, handpicking of the fruit, and careful sorting at the winery enable Michel Maret to optimize all the promise of a great terrior.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vinification at the Domaine follows the classic style: no destemming, and three weeks fermentation in stainless steel vats, after which the wine is aged in large oak fourdes for 12-18 months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWinemaker\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eVéronique Maret\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e95% Grenache, 5% Mourvedre\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eChâteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThis cuvée boasts hints of licorice, dark fruits and balsamic notes. The mouth offers a great density with a very long finish. Serve around 16-18°C. If possible, consider decanting the wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan color=\"#000000\" style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"caret-color: #000000;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e95 Points - James Suckling\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA spectacular, focused and fine-tuned Chateauneuf-du-Pape with sweet cherries, dried herbs, bay leaves and baking spices on the nose, following through to a full body with plush tannins. Structured and driven but agile, with berry freshness at the center and a flavorful, bright and lively finish. Drink or hold.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan color=\"#000000\" style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"caret-color: #000000;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e95 Points - Jeb Dunnuck\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMy favorite of the lineup, the 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Vieilles Vignes brings a beautiful floral character as well as ample wild strawberry and cherry fruit, medium to full-bodied richness, a pure, layered mouthfeel, and ultra-fine tannins. As with the Mourre de Perdrix, it’s elegant and seamless, as well as concentrated, and brings a boatload of sweet fruit. The blend is 95% Grenache and 5% Mourvèdre that’s from a mix of the Coudoulet, La Crau, and Cristia lieux-dits, brought up in demi-muid and concrete. Don't miss it.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan color=\"#000000\" style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"caret-color: #000000;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e95 Points - Vinous\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThe 2022 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Vieilles Vignes presents pronounced spice box, licorice, violet, strawberry, and cranberry notes. Deeply concentrated without veering into excess or over-ripeness, the 2022 frames distinctively grippy tannins that need at least five more years to integrate into the wine. There's no shortage of substance here.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Grapex","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51306356441393,"sku":null,"price":69.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Domaine_de_la_Charbonniere_Cuvee_Vieilles_Vignes_Chateauneuf_du_Pape_Rhone_France_2022.jpg?v=1746123623"},{"product_id":"chateau-pesquie-ventoux-terrasses-blanc-rhone-france-2022","title":"Chateau Pesquie, Ventoux, Terrasses Blanc, Rhone, France, 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eAt the foot of Mont Ventoux, in the southeastern Rhône Valley, Château Pesquié is a family wine estate at the heart of the Ventoux appellation. Three generations of the Chaudière family have put all their passion into producing wines with the characteristic freshness and finesse of this exceptional terroir. \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor fifty years, three generations of the Chaudière family, who own the Château, have worked with the same desire to explore and fully express the terroir of AOC Ventoux. The vineyard is certified organic by Ecocert.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlexandre and Frédéric Chaudière, the latest generation in charge of the estate, tend their vines according to biodynamic principles, with care and precision. This late-ripening terroir is characterized by its geological richness and a predominance of limestone. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOrganic, biodynamic\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWinemakers\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eAlexandre and Frédéric Chaudière\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e25% Viognier, 25% Grenache Blanc, 25% Roussanne, 25% Clairette\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eRhône, France\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eLimpid color with silver reflections. White flowers and citrus aromas with lime notes. Beautiful tension and freshness in the mouth with citrus aromas(lemon zest and grape fruit), exotic fruits (litchees) and white fruits (green apple).\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e90 Points - Wine Advocate\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eAn equal-parts blend of Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne and Viognier, all made in stainless steel, the 2022 Ventoux Terrasses Blanc features straightforward, pleasing aromas of lime and tangerine. It's medium to full-bodied, zesty and clean, with an appealing bit of plumpness and some charming peach notes on the finish. Drink it young.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WINEBOW","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51773837508913,"sku":null,"price":17.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Chateau_Pesquie_Ventoux_Terrasses_Blanc_Rhone_France_2022.jpg?v=1756237095"},{"product_id":"pierre-gaillard-operation-dragoon-rouge-cotes-du-rhone-france-2023","title":"Pierre Gaillard, \"Operation Dragoon\" Rouge, Côtes du Rhône, France, 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eCodename for the Allied invasion of Southern France, Operation Dragoon was launched August 15, 1944. During the next month, the French army liberated Toulon and Marseille while the American soldiers advanced National Route 7 with the help of the French Resistance to release the Rhône Valley. This four week campaign, combined with D-Day, was instrumental in the ending of the war. This blend of 70% Grenache, 30% Syrah is the homage to all those people who liberated the Rhone Valley, helping bring peace back to the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen he was 12 years old, he was caught plowing a nearby parcel with a horse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe studied Viticulture and Enology in Beaune, and obtained a Graduate Diploma in Winemaking from Montpellier. Vineyard Manager for a highly-regarded estate in Côte-Rôtie. In 1987, he established his own business in the upper part of the medieval town of Malleval with vineyards in the northern part of the Rhone Valley, ranging from Côte-Rôtie down through Cornas in the South. His wines are generous and express clear and precise fruity aromas, with a profound color and refined tannins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePierre finds his inspiration all the while respecting the \"raw material\" – in other words: the grape harvest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eWinemaker\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003ePierre Gaillard\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e70% Grenache, 30% Syrah\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eRhône, France\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThe Operation Dragoon Côtes du Rhône reveals beautiful aromas of cherries, cranberries and red plums. Layers of baking spice, pepper, violets and wild sage build on the nose. The palate exhibits great purity and is complimented by a pleasingly soft texture and delicious finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e91 Points - Wine Independent\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThe 2021 Operation Dragoon, 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah, is medium garnet-purple in color. It comes skipping out of the glass with bright cheery notes of black raspberries, mulberries, and kirsch followed by hints of black pepper and garrigue. The medium-bodied palate is soft and juicy, with lively red berry flavors and a spicy kick to the finish. 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