Rhône 2022 En Primeur

The vines are now over 40 years old so bring extra depth and concentration to the wine. Brambly with a touch of damson, before some present but well balanced tannins and a very pure fruit character with just a hint of dark chocolate, long on the finish. 3 years.

A very attractive nose with white flowers and sweet yellow fruits. It has a lovely silky mouth-feel, rich orangey fruit, a blend of Marsanne and Roussanne, with the latter bringing freshness and the former weight and depth. 0-5 years.

A welcome return of GrisiŠres after last year. 30% whole bunches were used to bring freshness to the wine which is very deep and concentrated with rich plum-laden fruit, plenty of spice and a more gentle floral note before a creamy, elevated finish. 3-12 years.

Always the brooding one in the line up, more herbal and floral in nature. It is rich, shows great texture and mouthfeel as well as great intensity of cooked orange and spice. 3-7 years.

A clean fresh nose, with floral tones. Very attractive on the palate with super balance, the freshness coping admirably with a rich weighty fruit and demonstrating a chalky mineral note under sweet white peach fruit and super succulence on the finish. 3-7 years

With no Telegraphe produced this year and this wine bolstered with what remained, Telegramme doesn't disappoint. Rich, ripe brambly fruit with raspberry overtones and notes of violets before a hint of strawberry and garrigue herbs on the finish. 5-10+ years.

Super fruit on the nose with an almost liqueur-like intensity. Damson and black cherries to the fore with a more red fruit character underneath. Beautifully weighted on the palate with a freshness and very fine tannins which leave a lingering finish. 5-15 years.

Very fine, elegant cherry and strawberry fruit. Wonderfully balanced on the palate, the lovely sweet fruit character countered with freshness and supported by some super-fine tannins. 5-10+ years.

Dense and powerful, endowed with a rich tannic profile and layers of cherry, blue/black fruits, notes of hung meat, complex dark floral elements and soft spices. The precision and freshness make this tempting but it will need time to show its best! 8-25 years Part of Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2022: "Report and top-scoring wines Drinking Window: 2033 - 2049 Dark and inky in colour this year. It’s fresh in its berry fruits, really quite powerful, with muscular tannins and driving acidity behind. A dense, dark and brooding vintage of Beaucastel. The aromatic precision however is extremely impressive: elderberry, sloe and blackberry. It’s solid and will age well. Do not drink this young, as it will likely disappoint if opened too early. Grenache and Cinsault fermented in cement, Syrah and Mourvèdre fermented in foudres. Syrah and Counoise are whole bunch fermented." 96/100 Decanter Tasted by: Matt Walls (at Rhône Valley, 18 Sep 2023) "Incredibly juicy nose – black tea, leather and spiced notes as well. The palate is rounded, sleek and plush. There is so much density on the palate. Supple mid palate and a meaty note on the rich finish. There is good, fresh acidity here as well, with a weightiness to the palate but balanced by the fresh acidity. Complex and impressive!" (Alistair Cooper MW). 17.5 Jancis Robinson.com

Dense and powerful, endowed with a rich tannic profile and layers of cherry, blue/black fruits, notes of hung meat, complex dark floral elements and soft spices. Great precision and freshness! 3-9 years. Part of Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2022: "Report and top-scoring wines Drinking Window: 2033 - 2049 Dark and inky in colour this year. It’s fresh in its berry fruits, really quite powerful, with muscular tannins and driving acidity behind. A dense, dark and brooding vintage of Beaucastel. The aromatic precision however is extremely impressive: elderberry, sloe and blackberry. It’s solid and will age well. Do not drink this young, as it will likely disappoint if opened too early. Grenache and Cinsault fermented in cement, Syrah and Mourvèdre fermented in foudres. Syrah and Counoise are whole bunch fermented." 96/100 Decanter Tasted by: Matt Walls (at Rhône Valley, 18 Sep 2023) "Incredibly juicy nose – black tea, leather and spiced notes as well. The palate is rounded, sleek and plush. There is so much density on the palate. Supple mid palate and a meaty note on the rich finish. There is good, fresh acidity here as well, with a weightiness to the palate but balanced by the fresh acidity. Complex and impressive!" (Alistair Cooper MW). 17.5 Jancis Robinson.com

Dense and powerful, endowed with a rich tannic profile and layers of cherry, blue/black fruits, notes of hung meat, complex dark floral elements and soft spices. The precision and freshness make this tempting but it will need time to show its best! 5-15 years. Part of Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2022: "Report and top-scoring wines Drinking Window: 2033 - 2049 Dark and inky in colour this year. It’s fresh in its berry fruits, really quite powerful, with muscular tannins and driving acidity behind. A dense, dark and brooding vintage of Beaucastel. The aromatic precision however is extremely impressive: elderberry, sloe and blackberry. It’s solid and will age well. Do not drink this young, as it will likely disappoint if opened too early. Grenache and Cinsault fermented in cement, Syrah and Mourvèdre fermented in foudres. Syrah and Counoise are whole bunch fermented." 96/100 Decanter Tasted by: Matt Walls (at Rhône Valley, 18 Sep 2023) "Incredibly juicy nose – black tea, leather and spiced notes as well. The palate is rounded, sleek and plush. There is so much density on the palate. Supple mid palate and a meaty note on the rich finish. There is good, fresh acidity here as well, with a weightiness to the palate but balanced by the fresh acidity. Complex and impressive!" (Alistair Cooper MW). 17.5 Jancis Robinson.com

Dense and powerful, endowed with a rich tannic profile and layers of cherry, blue/black fruits, notes of hung meat, complex dark floral elements and soft spices. The precision and freshness make this tempting but in magnum it will need serious time to show its best! 8-20 years. Part of Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2022: "Report and top-scoring wines Drinking Window: 2033 - 2049 Dark and inky in colour this year. It’s fresh in its berry fruits, really quite powerful, with muscular tannins and driving acidity behind. A dense, dark and brooding vintage of Beaucastel. The aromatic precision however is extremely impressive: elderberry, sloe and blackberry. It’s solid and will age well. Do not drink this young, as it will likely disappoint if opened too early. Grenache and Cinsault fermented in cement, Syrah and Mourvèdre fermented in foudres. Syrah and Counoise are whole bunch fermented." 96/100 Decanter Tasted by: Matt Walls (at Rhône Valley, 18 Sep 2023) "Incredibly juicy nose – black tea, leather and spiced notes as well. The palate is rounded, sleek and plush. There is so much density on the palate. Supple mid palate and a meaty note on the rich finish. There is good, fresh acidity here as well, with a weightiness to the palate but balanced by the fresh acidity. Complex and impressive!" (Alistair Cooper MW). 17.5 Jancis Robinson.com

Viognier from the northern Rhone with a little Roussanne to bring added freshness, this is rich and weighty with lovely texture on the palate, very elegant and fine with fresh, citrus tones of the Roussanne enhancing the rich Viognier. 0-3 years.

This is a very classic Cornas with dark, black raspberry fruit and liquorice, with some svelte tannins in support but never dominating, before the typical juicy, Cornas freshness comes through on the finish. 3-9 years.

The she-wolf but far from being aggressive this is intense, almost liqueur like and complex too. Super-sweet fruit but always elegant, some present but very ripe tannins and a fruity finish of blueberry, blackberry, damson and spice. Terrific. 5-15+ years.

From 60 years old vines showcasing the blue, red and yellow clay soils. A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre that is showing damsons and violets, great structure without tightness, and a juicy acidity. Tapenade and blossom notes on the finish. 3-7 years.

Wonderfully floral on the nose with violets amongst the fruit, plenty of ripe plum fruit on the palate with some present but rounded tannins but the finish is fresh with crunchy fruit and decent length. 0-5 years.

A fine mix of fruit, flowers and spice on the nose with plums, cassis and damson fruit, some typically present tannins but ripe and rounded in feel, the finish is fine and long with a note of bergamot amongst the ripe fruit. 3-7 years.

This wine spends 22 months in large oak barrels to bring roundness and complexity. It remains fresh and succulent but with plenty of weight, hints of vanilla and spice are found amongst the rich fruit before a long and concentrated finish. 3-9 years.

Ripe, blue fruits and floral armoas exude from the glass. This follows through on to the palate with wild raspberries, sweet blueberries, soft tannins and a juciy morish quality. Tr?s Jolie! 0-5 years.

Intense notes of black and blue fruit with a lovely floral character and even a hint of citrus keep it fresh and appealing. On the palate the fruit is rich, concentrated with plenty of supple, ripe tannins before a note of black pepper spice to finish. 5-15 years.

A lovely rounded, supple wine with ripe tannins and long flowing flavours. Notes of mulberry, sweet spice and pure, juicy fruit shone through in this very appealing wine. Great length. 3-7 years.

Toasty, chocolate oak with plenty of black fruits. Sweetly fruited on the palate with complexity coming from liquorice, baking spice and black pepper notes. Supple tannins round this off very well and leave a long lingering finish. 3-9 years.

This is big, bold, juicy and mouthwatering. Red fruit flavours abound with notes of milk chocolate, a little spice and an alluring umami, soy sauce note. 80% whole bunches which gives the wine a lovely texture and fragrant quality. 3-9 years.

Inviting dark chocolate and mocha notes entice on the nose. Whilst the palate is bold and driven with a silky, suppleness. There is great concentration here with an appealing fresh, fragrant quality too. 3-9 years.

This is a sumptuous blend of Syrah and Grenache with plenty of black fruit and ripe tannins. The vineyards here are fairly high, so cooler and fresher than many other Vinsobres.

Ripe strawberry and blue fruits, dark flowers and a waft of garrigue. This is a well-proportioned and structured Coudoulet showing ample velvety tannins, a lovely natural fresness, and a long finish. 2-7 years. "Dark in colour. Soft, juicy, velvety tannins. An approachable and well-balanced vintage of Coudoulet that should age well thanks to its tannic finesse, acidity and freshness. Though it is quite a tannic vintage, so give it some time." 92/100 Decanter Tasted by: Matt Walls (at Rhône Valley, 18 Sep 2023) Drinking Window: 2026 - 2034 "Reduced and introverted nose. The palate is sleek and rounded, with fine-grained tannins, blue fruit, violet notes and a floral character. Tight and tense and well balanced – meaty as well on the long finish." (Alistair Cooper MW) 17.0 Jancis Robinson.com

Ripe strawberry and blue fruits, dark flowers and a waft of garrigue. This is a well-proportioned and structured Coudoulet showing ample velvety tannins, a lovely natural freshness, and a long finish. Should age well in magnum. 5-15 years

A cooler site so extra hang-time on the vines gives extra depth here. Intense, smoky damson fruit, very concentrated on the palate, spicy, juicy cassis and blueberry fruit with a herbal note before a long finish. 3-7 years.

A forward, aromatic nose with plenty of ripe fruit flavours, on the palate it is fresh with a succulent note amongst a good depth of fruit, a hint of liquorice and a lovely red fruit finish.

A wonderfully sweet aroma of berry fruit with notes of garrigue herbs. A lovely weight on the palate with concentration, grip, more dark fruit charcater with notes of menthol and liquorice to boot before a fine, succulent and juicy finish. 5-15 years.