Northern Rhône Reds
Although the Northern Rhône endured an exceptionally warm 2020 vintage that included spells of drought, an absence of heat spikes coupled with decent rainfall in May and June made for reliably fresh and approachable syrah and a return to more classically styled cuvées, particularly after a series of more powerful preceding vintages. We find Yann Chave’s Crozes-Hermitage to be a particularly delightful example, and one which we simply had to include in our EP offer this year.
Showing all 6 results
2020 Paul Jaboulet Aine, Hermitage, La Maison Bleue 6x75cl
DE92VM93-95
“Mostly sourced from les Murets, the 2020 Hermitage La Maison Bleue is a solid effort, with appealing notes of blackberries, raspberries and espresso on the nose. It's full-bodied and rich, yet... streamlined and focused, with savory tones of black olives appearing on the softly dusty finish. It should drink well young, yet age well for more than a decade.” 92-94 pts, Joe Czerwinski, www.robertparker.com, (Drink 2023-2035)
£215 / Case£35.83 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate2020 Paul Jaboulet Aine, Crozes-Hermitage, Domaine de Thalabert 6x75cl
JR16.5VM92-94
"Shimmering ruby. Expressive, spice-accented red and dark berry aromas are complemented by suggestions of olive, espresso and candied flowers. Juicy and energetic on the palate, offering gently sweet... cherry and cassis flavors that deepen through the back half. Finishes very long, spicy and smooth, with even tannins lending final grip." 92-94 pts., Josh Raynolds, vinous.com
£99 / Case£16.50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate2020 Jasmin, Cote Rotie, Giroflarie 12x75cl
Ampuis-based Jasmin has the advantage of choosing from 12 different plots for blending this exceptional Cote-Rotie (95% syrah, 5% viognier) which he ages for 18 months. His 'Giroflarie' is... considered by many to be the most 'Burgundian' of cuvées in the appellation, drinking quite deliciously in its youth yet also packing the stuff for a good 20 years of graceful ageing.
£360 / Case£30 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate2020 M. Chapoutier, Crozes-Hermitage, Les Varonniers 6x75cl
DE94
"Graphite, plum and blackberry aromas. Beautifully silky, this has a good sense of fluidity but also remarkable intensity and concentration. Energetic and driven, with deep fruit and sweet tannin,... there's a mineral straightness that helps to temper that ripe fruit and ripe tannin. The alcohol is quite raised but not unbalanced; this is a cut above most Crozes-Hermitages, more serious in style and texture." 94 pts., Matt Walls, www.decanter.com
£190 / Case£31.67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate2020 Paul Jaboulet Aine, Hermitage, La Maison Bleue 3x150cl
DE92VM93-95
"Full, bright-rimmed violet. Highly fragrant cherry and black raspberry scents, along with suggestions of pipe tobacco, olive, peony and baking spices. Juicy and energetic in the mouth, offering... concentrated red and blue fruit, floral pastille, smoky bacon and spicecake flavors that become sweeter on the back half. Smooth, rounded tannins build steadily on a very long, mineral-and spice-accented finish that leaves behind suggestions of mocha and allspice. 20% new oak." 93-95 pts., Josh Raynolds, vinous.com
£230 / Case£76.67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate2020 Domaine de la Chapelle (Paul Jaboulet Aine), Hermitage, La Chapelle Rouge 3x150cl
DE93VM96-98
“Glass-staining purple. Assertively perfumed cassis, cherry liqueur, fruitcake and floral aromas take on espresso, olive and smoky bacon accents with aeration. Juicy, chewy and energetic on the... palate, offering densely packed, alluringly sweet black and blue fruit preserve, floral pastille, licorice and mocha flavors that become deeper and spicier as the wine slowly stretches out. The floral and mineral notes repeat emphatically on a wonderfully long, juicy and mineral-dominated finish that's framed by building, well-wrought tannins.” 96-98 pts., Josh Raynolds, vinous.com
£750 / Case£250 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate