Some Rhône treats

france northern rhone rhone southern rhone

Some Rhône treats

Quite a few impressive Rhône wines at yesterday’s Bunch tasting. Here are some I enjoyed a lot.

Alain Graillot Crozes Hermitage 2011 Northern Rhône, France
Is this Graillot’s best yet? It’s sensational. Ripe yet fresh meaty, raspberry and cherry fruit nose with a hint of black olive and pepper. The palate is fresh and ripe with raspberry and plum fruit, some grippy tannins and black pepper spiciness. It could only have come from the northern Rhône and it’s beautifully balanced, with good acidity keeping it fresh. 95/100 (£19.95 Yapp)

J-P Boisson Le Petit Caboche 2012 IGP Vaucluse, France
A blend of Grenache, Caladoc, Marselan and Syrah that is dangerously drinkable. Very sweetly aromatic perfumed nose leads to a pure palate of supple, sweet cherry fruit with real finesse and elegance, finishing spicy. An utter bargain. 91/100 (£8.95 Yapp)

Domaine Christophe Pichon St Joseph 2009 Northern Rhône, France
Meat and liqourice edge to the ripe black fruits nose, with hints of bacon. Very sweet yet fine palate with smooth grained tannins and some pepper and meat characters as well as the sweet black cherry fruit. Real finesse. 94/100 (£19.45 Berry Bros & Rudd)

Domaine des Hauts Chassis Crozes Hermitage Blanc L’Essential 2011 Northern Rhône, France
Lovely floral, herbal pear and peach nose. Appealing weight and texture on the palate which shows pretty pear and white peach fruit. Real finesse and interest here. 93/100 (£18.45 Berry Bros & Rudd)

Raymond Usseglio Châteauneuf du Pape Impériale 2009 Southern Rhône, France
Perfumed, elegant nose is floral with liqueur-like sweet red cherry fruit and fine herby notes. The palate is supple, warm, soft and elegant with subtle earth and spice notes under the sweet fruit. It’s warm (15% alcohol) but really elegant at the same time. 95/100 (£48 Berry Bros & Rudd)

Paul Avril Clos des Papes Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc 2005 Southern Rhône, France
Complex, fine nutty, waxy, pear and ripe apple nose. The palate is broad and nutty with powerful flavours of apple and pear, showing intensity and complexity. 94/100 (£85 Berry Bros & Rudd)

2 Comments on Some Rhône treatsTagged , , , ,
wine journalist and flavour obsessive

2 thoughts on “Some Rhône treats

  1. cannot understand how you can enjoy young CdP. Have a load of 88,89 and 90 VT and Clos des Papes you can have at a good price, if you are keen on these wines.

  2. Jamie,

    Thank-you for introducing me to the Petit Caboche. At 4.95 euros per bottle in Calais an amazing bargain!

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