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.
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Rhône
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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Rhone | 1 | 100 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€692.60 |
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Wine Advocate (100)Every bit as profound as the 2010, yet in a more voluptuous, lower acid, hedonistic style, the inky colored 2009 Hermitage les Bessards (aged all in new French oak) offers incredible intensity and depth in its black raspberry, toasted bread, graphite and spice-like aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, massively endowed and with a wealth of raw material, it has high, yet sweet tannin and a finish that just won't quit. Give it 4-5 years and drink it over the following 3-4 decades. Unfortunately, this is made in tiny quantities, but count yourself lucky if you were able to grab a few bottles of either the '09 or '10. |
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Rhone | 1 | 97 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€1,043.58 |
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Wine Advocate (97)The star of the show is the 2012 Hermitage Les Bessards. Coming from the pure granite soils of the Les Bessards lieu-dit, on the western edge of the appellation, it’s made from 100% Syrah and spent 16 months in 70% new French oak. It’s an incredible wine that offers classic powdered rock-like minerality, loads of crème de cassis and black raspberry fruit, smoked meats, spice and dried-flower nuances. Complex, pure and perfumed, it’s full-bodied and seamless on the palate, with fabulous density, ultra-fine tannin structure and impeccable overall balance. Give it 3-4 years in the cellar and drink it over the following two decades. |
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Rhone | 1 | 94 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€955.98 |
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Vinous (94)Dark purple. A powerful, highly perfumed bouquet evokes ripe black and blue fruits, candied licorice, olive paste, exotic spices and incense and shows a vibrant mineral overtone. Stains the palate with intense blackberry, boysenberry and spicecake flavors that deepen and pick up a sexy floral element with air. Shows a compelling marriage of richness and finesse and finishes extremely long, sappy and sweet, with youthful tannins adding framework. |
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Rhone | 5 | 100 (JD) |
Inc. TAX
€1,372.38 |
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Jeb Dunnuck (100)The top cuvée from Delas is the 2015 Hermitage Les Bessards, and it's always 100% Syrah from the steep, broken granite soils of the Bessards lieu-dit. Aged 18 months in 30% new barrels, its purple/plum color is followed by a huge nose of blackcurrants, graphite, toasted spice, crushed rocks and saddle leather. Powerful, massively concentrated, and tannic, it has a broad, expansive, heavenly texture, a thick mid-palate (you could almost use a fork for this beauty), and a great finish. Despite the richness level, it stays balanced and graceful on the palate, and is never over the top or heavy. It's a perfect Hermitage that will start to shine with 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for three decades or more. Bravo! |
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Rhone | 1 | 95 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€833.58 |
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Vinous (95)Opaque purple. Mineral-accented dark berries, candied licorice, olive paste, exotic spices and pungent flowers on the explosively perfumed nose. Deeply concentrated yet energetic black raspberry, spicecake, smoked meat and violet pastille flavors are complicated by vibrant mineral and dark chocolate notes that build on the back half. Sweet, sappy and sharply delineated on an extremely long, floral- and dark-fruit-driven finish that shows superb clarity and steadily building, harmonious tannins. |
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Rhone | 1 | 98 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€984.16 |
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Wine Advocate (98)Boasting classic Les Bessards notes of sun-warmed cassis and crushed stone, the 2018 Hermitage Les Bessards has turned out to be a magnificent wine—a close rival to the potentially perfect 2015. Full-bodied and velvety, concentrated and tannic, overflowing with notes of grilled plums, grilled meat and black olives, it's all topped off by a forever finish that remains fresh and cleansing, courtesy of lingering salted-licorice flavors and the texture of finely ground stone dust. Try a bottle after 2025, if you can wait that long. |
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Rhone | 3 | 99 (JD) |
Inc. TAX
€1,033.67 |
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Jeb Dunnuck (99)My favorite release from this estate is consistently their Les Bessards Hermitage, and their 2019 is no exception. Coming from the western part and pure broken granite soils on the west side of this magical hill, it sports a dense purple hue to go with a brilliant perfume of cassis, graphite, scorched earth, burning embers, spring flowers, and peppery herbs. Incredibly complex, layered, and nuanced, with classic Hermitage characteristics, it still stays firmly planted in the ripe, sunny, sexy vintage. Full-bodied, concentrated, and structured on the palate, it has a wealth of tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. This is pure Hermitage magic that needs to be forgotten for 4-5 years and will evolve for 20-30 years in cold cellars. Hats off to the team at Delas for another incredible wine. |
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Rhone | 2 | - |
Inc. TAX
€1,006.07 |
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Rhone | 3 | - |
Inc. TAX
€1,011.18 |
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Rhone | 1 | 99 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€1,635.76 |
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Wine Advocate (99)While I've had multiple looks at previous vintages, this is my first review of the 2018 Hermitage Ligne de Crete Les Grandes Vignes. Inky in hue, it boasts powerful, brooding aromas that include hints of hardwood charcoal, dark berries, licorice, crushed stone and pencil shavings. Full-bodied and almost painfully intense, it's a huge, mouthfilling wine that seems capable of aging up to three decades. Rich, supple and creamy in texture, yet possessing remarkable length and retronasal nuance, it has to rank up there with some of the Hermitage hill's classics from other, more renowned producers. It certainly deserves a seat at that table and may be a candidate for a perfect score in the future. |
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Rhone | 1 | 99 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€1,094.56 |
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Wine Advocate (99)While I've had multiple looks at previous vintages, this is my first review of the 2018 Hermitage Ligne de Crete Les Grandes Vignes. Inky in hue, it boasts powerful, brooding aromas that include hints of hardwood charcoal, dark berries, licorice, crushed stone and pencil shavings. Full-bodied and almost painfully intense, it's a huge, mouthfilling wine that seems capable of aging up to three decades. Rich, supple and creamy in texture, yet possessing remarkable length and retronasal nuance, it has to rank up there with some of the Hermitage hill's classics from other, more renowned producers. It certainly deserves a seat at that table and may be a candidate for a perfect score in the future. |
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Rhone | 2 | - |
Inc. TAX
€960.47 |
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Rhone | 1 | 100 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€9,394.45 |
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Wine Advocate (100)As heavenly and profound as it gets, the still youthful-colored 1978 Hermitage la Chapelle exhibits an insane bouquet of sweet cassis, truffle, smoked meats and licorice. Full-bodied, multidimensional, decadent and massive on the palate, with a stacked mid-palate and still present, sweet tannin, it tastes like a mix of the more fruit-loaded '90 and the more evolved, smoky and soy-laced '61. You could easily run out of adjectives describing this beauty, but it's a perfect wine any way you look at it. I see no reason to hold off, and it's drinking perfectly for my palate today, but it certainly won't fall off a cliff anytime soon. |
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Rhone | 1 | 18 (JR) |
Inc. TAX
€1,091.38 |
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Jancis Robinson (18)Bright, round and fully evolved. Tannins disappeared. Fresh and lively. Rather sumptuous. Not quite the life of the Verset Cornas 1998. Complex and superior. Lightly salty |
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Rhone | 3 | 93-96 (VN (ST)) |
Inc. TAX
€547.50 |
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Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (93-96)Deep, saturated ruby. Mute nose hints at cassis, violet and woodsmoke. Huge and primary in the mouth; the palate is inundated by a wave of almost confectionery fruit. But there also firm acidity and powerful underlying structure. Very fresh and unevolved for the vintage but harmonious from the start. Utterly seamless. Finishes with lush, melting tannins. An extraordinary showing for this wine, and as impressive as any '97 Hermitage I tasted in early December. |
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Rhone | 1 | 94 (VN (ST)) |
Inc. TAX
€1,366.42 |
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Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (94)Opaque purple. Captivating aromas of boysenberry, dark cherry, pepper, spices, cocoa powder and smoky minerality. Then intense and penetrating in the mouth, with brilliantly fresh dark berry and kirsch flavors lifted by notes of cinnamon and star anise. Finishes pungent and impressively long, with a palate-saturating whiplash of dark berry and spice flavors. This wine calls for at least decade of aging. Only 900 bottles were slated to be sent to the American importer. |
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Rhone | 1 | 98+ (JD) |
Inc. TAX
€561.18 |
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Jeb Dunnuck (98+)More bloody meat, black raspberries, wood smoke, spice, and truffle notes emerge from the 2017 Hermitage Le Méal, a massive, opulent effort that has loads of opulence and fruit, building tannins, a gorgeous mid-palate, and a monster finish. It's one of the finest wines I've tasted from this estate! It’s already approachable yet promises to evolve gracefully for 20-25 years or more. |
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Rhone | 1 | 98+ (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€3,074.77 |
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Wine Advocate (98+)Made in the style of the 2010, the massive 2005 Hermitage Ex Voto offers searing minerality and crushed-rock nuances as well as tons of black raspberries, licorice, toasted spice and charcoal. Full-bodied, incredibly concentrated, with a wall of sweet tannin, this behemoth nevertheless stays nicely focused, pure and classic on the finish. Give it another 4-5 years and enjoy bottles over the following 30-40+ years. |
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Rhone | 1 | 97 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€2,014.38 |
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Wine Advocate (97)A similar extroverted, sexy style to the '09, just on a slightly smaller scale, the 2007 Hermitage Ex Voto offers sensational black raspberry, creme de cassis, creamy licorice and crushed flower-like aromas and flavors, with the telltale minerality/graphite of the Hermitage Hill coming through with time in the glass. While aged close to four years in 100% new French oak, you'd never know it by tasting it. This full-bodied, beautifully concentrated, layered and already approachable beauty will have another 30+ years of drinkability. |
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Rhone | 2 | 100 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€1,541.20 |
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Wine Advocate (100)Every bit as phenomenal as the '10, yet in a completely different style, the 2009 Hermitage Ex Voto reveals a saturated inky color as well as layers of plums, black raspberries, candied violets, licorice and crushed rock. More voluptuous and extroverted than the '10, with an undeniably sexy, full-bodied, massively concentrated personality that just begs to be drunk, it will still evolve for decades on its sheer wealth of material. |
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Rhone | 4 | 100 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€1,900.38 |
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Wine Advocate (100)The 2010 Hermitage Ex Voto continues to top out on my scale. This extraordinary Hermitage has more minerality and delineation than the 2009, as well as overflowing aromas and flavors of creme de cassis, jammy blackberries, violets, graphite and wood smoke. Massively concentrated, full-bodied, decadent, layered and sexy, it needs short-term cellaring but should be just about immortal in the cellar. |
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Rhone | 1 | 96+ (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€3,422.77 |
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Wine Advocate (96+)The 2012 Hermitage Ex Voto (which I suspect won’t be produced again until 2015) was bottled in January of this year and it’s a big, voluptuous beauty that’s loaded with fruit and texture. Crème de cassis, black raspberries, crushed rocks and a touch of beef blood all soar from the glass of this beauty, which hits the palate with a wealth of sweet fruit, building, ripe tannin and blockbuster length. Liquid Viagra would suffice as a descriptor for this wine, and while it’s already impossible to resist today, it will age effortlessly for 25 or more years. |
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Rhone | 10 | 96+ (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€1,036.00 |
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Wine Advocate (96+)The 2012 Hermitage Ex Voto (which I suspect won’t be produced again until 2015) was bottled in January of this year and it’s a big, voluptuous beauty that’s loaded with fruit and texture. Crème de cassis, black raspberries, crushed rocks and a touch of beef blood all soar from the glass of this beauty, which hits the palate with a wealth of sweet fruit, building, ripe tannin and blockbuster length. Liquid Viagra would suffice as a descriptor for this wine, and while it’s already impossible to resist today, it will age effortlessly for 25 or more years. |
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Rhone | 10 | 96+ (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€1,690.38 |
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Wine Advocate (96+)The 2012 Hermitage Ex Voto (which I suspect won’t be produced again until 2015) was bottled in January of this year and it’s a big, voluptuous beauty that’s loaded with fruit and texture. Crème de cassis, black raspberries, crushed rocks and a touch of beef blood all soar from the glass of this beauty, which hits the palate with a wealth of sweet fruit, building, ripe tannin and blockbuster length. Liquid Viagra would suffice as a descriptor for this wine, and while it’s already impossible to resist today, it will age effortlessly for 25 or more years. |
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Rhone | 10 | 97 (WS) |
Inc. TAX
€1,063.60 |
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Wine Spectator (97)This is intense, as dense ganache, espresso, roasted juniper and alder notes form an impressive frame around an equally ornate core of steeped fig, blackberry and black currant fruit flavors, all while maintaining terrific cut and drive despite the heft. A mouthwatering iron accent at the very end seals the deal. Best from 2020 through 2040. |
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Rhone | 1 | 97 (WS) |
Inc. TAX
€1,798.38 |
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Wine Spectator (97)This is intense, as dense ganache, espresso, roasted juniper and alder notes form an impressive frame around an equally ornate core of steeped fig, blackberry and black currant fruit flavors, all while maintaining terrific cut and drive despite the heft. A mouthwatering iron accent at the very end seals the deal. Best from 2020 through 2040. |
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Rhone | 1 | 97 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€3,680.77 |
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Vinous (97)Deep, glass-staining ruby. Deep-pitched aromas of cherry liqueur, blackberry, fruitcake and incense on the highly perfumed nose. Stains the palate with vibrant black and blue fruit liqueur, allspice and violet pastille flavors, enlivened by a smoky mineral nuance that builds with aeration. Shows a suave blend of richness and vivacity, and no rough edges. Spicy and expansive on the strikingly long, sappy finish, which features resonating dark berry character and youthfully chewy tannins. |
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Rhone | 1 | 97 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€1,015.60 |
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Vinous (97)Deep, glass-staining ruby. Deep-pitched aromas of cherry liqueur, blackberry, fruitcake and incense on the highly perfumed nose. Stains the palate with vibrant black and blue fruit liqueur, allspice and violet pastille flavors, enlivened by a smoky mineral nuance that builds with aeration. Shows a suave blend of richness and vivacity, and no rough edges. Spicy and expansive on the strikingly long, sappy finish, which features resonating dark berry character and youthfully chewy tannins. |
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Rhone | 4 | 97 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€1,786.38 |
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Vinous (97)Deep, glass-staining ruby. Deep-pitched aromas of cherry liqueur, blackberry, fruitcake and incense on the highly perfumed nose. Stains the palate with vibrant black and blue fruit liqueur, allspice and violet pastille flavors, enlivened by a smoky mineral nuance that builds with aeration. Shows a suave blend of richness and vivacity, and no rough edges. Spicy and expansive on the strikingly long, sappy finish, which features resonating dark berry character and youthfully chewy tannins. |
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Rhone | 6 | 97-99 (JD) |
Inc. TAX
€3,254.77 |
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Jeb Dunnuck (97-99)The 2017 Hermitage Ex Voto shows the sunny, sexy side of the vintage yet backs it up with a dense, concentrated style. Ripe black fruits, smoked earth, toasted bread, and exotic spice all define the bouquet, and it’s full-bodied, structured, and powerful on the palate. Like most 2017s, it’s going to have some early accessibility due to the wealth of fruit, yet it’s going to benefit from 5-7 years of bottle age. |
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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Rhone | 1 | 100 (WA) |
In Bond
€571.00 |
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Wine Advocate (100)Every bit as profound as the 2010, yet in a more voluptuous, lower acid, hedonistic style, the inky colored 2009 Hermitage les Bessards (aged all in new French oak) offers incredible intensity and depth in its black raspberry, toasted bread, graphite and spice-like aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, massively endowed and with a wealth of raw material, it has high, yet sweet tannin and a finish that just won't quit. Give it 4-5 years and drink it over the following 3-4 decades. Unfortunately, this is made in tiny quantities, but count yourself lucky if you were able to grab a few bottles of either the '09 or '10. |
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Rhone | 1 | 97 (WA) |
In Bond
€851.00 |
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Wine Advocate (97)The star of the show is the 2012 Hermitage Les Bessards. Coming from the pure granite soils of the Les Bessards lieu-dit, on the western edge of the appellation, it’s made from 100% Syrah and spent 16 months in 70% new French oak. It’s an incredible wine that offers classic powdered rock-like minerality, loads of crème de cassis and black raspberry fruit, smoked meats, spice and dried-flower nuances. Complex, pure and perfumed, it’s full-bodied and seamless on the palate, with fabulous density, ultra-fine tannin structure and impeccable overall balance. Give it 3-4 years in the cellar and drink it over the following two decades. |
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Rhone | 1 | 94 (VN) |
In Bond
€778.00 |
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Vinous (94)Dark purple. A powerful, highly perfumed bouquet evokes ripe black and blue fruits, candied licorice, olive paste, exotic spices and incense and shows a vibrant mineral overtone. Stains the palate with intense blackberry, boysenberry and spicecake flavors that deepen and pick up a sexy floral element with air. Shows a compelling marriage of richness and finesse and finishes extremely long, sappy and sweet, with youthful tannins adding framework. |
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Rhone | 5 | 100 (JD) |
In Bond
€1,125.00 |
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Jeb Dunnuck (100)The top cuvée from Delas is the 2015 Hermitage Les Bessards, and it's always 100% Syrah from the steep, broken granite soils of the Bessards lieu-dit. Aged 18 months in 30% new barrels, its purple/plum color is followed by a huge nose of blackcurrants, graphite, toasted spice, crushed rocks and saddle leather. Powerful, massively concentrated, and tannic, it has a broad, expansive, heavenly texture, a thick mid-palate (you could almost use a fork for this beauty), and a great finish. Despite the richness level, it stays balanced and graceful on the palate, and is never over the top or heavy. It's a perfect Hermitage that will start to shine with 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for three decades or more. Bravo! |
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Rhone | 1 | 95 (VN) |
In Bond
€676.00 |
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Vinous (95)Opaque purple. Mineral-accented dark berries, candied licorice, olive paste, exotic spices and pungent flowers on the explosively perfumed nose. Deeply concentrated yet energetic black raspberry, spicecake, smoked meat and violet pastille flavors are complicated by vibrant mineral and dark chocolate notes that build on the back half. Sweet, sappy and sharply delineated on an extremely long, floral- and dark-fruit-driven finish that shows superb clarity and steadily building, harmonious tannins. |
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Rhone | 1 | 98 (WA) |
In Bond
€797.00 |
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Wine Advocate (98)Boasting classic Les Bessards notes of sun-warmed cassis and crushed stone, the 2018 Hermitage Les Bessards has turned out to be a magnificent wine—a close rival to the potentially perfect 2015. Full-bodied and velvety, concentrated and tannic, overflowing with notes of grilled plums, grilled meat and black olives, it's all topped off by a forever finish that remains fresh and cleansing, courtesy of lingering salted-licorice flavors and the texture of finely ground stone dust. Try a bottle after 2025, if you can wait that long. |
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Rhone | 3 | 99 (JD) |
In Bond
€839.00 |
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Jeb Dunnuck (99)My favorite release from this estate is consistently their Les Bessards Hermitage, and their 2019 is no exception. Coming from the western part and pure broken granite soils on the west side of this magical hill, it sports a dense purple hue to go with a brilliant perfume of cassis, graphite, scorched earth, burning embers, spring flowers, and peppery herbs. Incredibly complex, layered, and nuanced, with classic Hermitage characteristics, it still stays firmly planted in the ripe, sunny, sexy vintage. Full-bodied, concentrated, and structured on the palate, it has a wealth of tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. This is pure Hermitage magic that needs to be forgotten for 4-5 years and will evolve for 20-30 years in cold cellars. Hats off to the team at Delas for another incredible wine. |
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Rhone | 2 | - |
In Bond
€816.00 |
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Rhone | 3 | - |
In Bond
€824.00 |
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Rhone | 1 | 99 (WA) |
In Bond
€1,340.00 |
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Wine Advocate (99)While I've had multiple looks at previous vintages, this is my first review of the 2018 Hermitage Ligne de Crete Les Grandes Vignes. Inky in hue, it boasts powerful, brooding aromas that include hints of hardwood charcoal, dark berries, licorice, crushed stone and pencil shavings. Full-bodied and almost painfully intense, it's a huge, mouthfilling wine that seems capable of aging up to three decades. Rich, supple and creamy in texture, yet possessing remarkable length and retronasal nuance, it has to rank up there with some of the Hermitage hill's classics from other, more renowned producers. It certainly deserves a seat at that table and may be a candidate for a perfect score in the future. |
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Rhone | 1 | 99 (WA) |
In Bond
€889.00 |
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Wine Advocate (99)While I've had multiple looks at previous vintages, this is my first review of the 2018 Hermitage Ligne de Crete Les Grandes Vignes. Inky in hue, it boasts powerful, brooding aromas that include hints of hardwood charcoal, dark berries, licorice, crushed stone and pencil shavings. Full-bodied and almost painfully intense, it's a huge, mouthfilling wine that seems capable of aging up to three decades. Rich, supple and creamy in texture, yet possessing remarkable length and retronasal nuance, it has to rank up there with some of the Hermitage hill's classics from other, more renowned producers. It certainly deserves a seat at that table and may be a candidate for a perfect score in the future. |
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Rhone | 2 | - |
In Bond
€778.00 |
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Rhone | 1 | 100 (WA) |
In Bond
€7,810.00 |
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Wine Advocate (100)As heavenly and profound as it gets, the still youthful-colored 1978 Hermitage la Chapelle exhibits an insane bouquet of sweet cassis, truffle, smoked meats and licorice. Full-bodied, multidimensional, decadent and massive on the palate, with a stacked mid-palate and still present, sweet tannin, it tastes like a mix of the more fruit-loaded '90 and the more evolved, smoky and soy-laced '61. You could easily run out of adjectives describing this beauty, but it's a perfect wine any way you look at it. I see no reason to hold off, and it's drinking perfectly for my palate today, but it certainly won't fall off a cliff anytime soon. |
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Rhone | 1 | 18 (JR) |
In Bond
€897.00 |
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Jancis Robinson (18)Bright, round and fully evolved. Tannins disappeared. Fresh and lively. Rather sumptuous. Not quite the life of the Verset Cornas 1998. Complex and superior. Lightly salty |
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Rhone | 3 | 93-96 (VN (ST)) |
In Bond
€450.00 |
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Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (93-96)Deep, saturated ruby. Mute nose hints at cassis, violet and woodsmoke. Huge and primary in the mouth; the palate is inundated by a wave of almost confectionery fruit. But there also firm acidity and powerful underlying structure. Very fresh and unevolved for the vintage but harmonious from the start. Utterly seamless. Finishes with lush, melting tannins. An extraordinary showing for this wine, and as impressive as any '97 Hermitage I tasted in early December. |
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Rhone | 1 | 94 (VN (ST)) |
In Bond
€1,120.00 |
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Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (94)Opaque purple. Captivating aromas of boysenberry, dark cherry, pepper, spices, cocoa powder and smoky minerality. Then intense and penetrating in the mouth, with brilliantly fresh dark berry and kirsch flavors lifted by notes of cinnamon and star anise. Finishes pungent and impressively long, with a palate-saturating whiplash of dark berry and spice flavors. This wine calls for at least decade of aging. Only 900 bottles were slated to be sent to the American importer. |
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Rhone | 1 | 98+ (JD) |
In Bond
€449.00 |
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Jeb Dunnuck (98+)More bloody meat, black raspberries, wood smoke, spice, and truffle notes emerge from the 2017 Hermitage Le Méal, a massive, opulent effort that has loads of opulence and fruit, building tannins, a gorgeous mid-palate, and a monster finish. It's one of the finest wines I've tasted from this estate! It’s already approachable yet promises to evolve gracefully for 20-25 years or more. |
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Rhone | 1 | 98+ (WA) |
In Bond
€2,525.00 |
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Wine Advocate (98+)Made in the style of the 2010, the massive 2005 Hermitage Ex Voto offers searing minerality and crushed-rock nuances as well as tons of black raspberries, licorice, toasted spice and charcoal. Full-bodied, incredibly concentrated, with a wall of sweet tannin, this behemoth nevertheless stays nicely focused, pure and classic on the finish. Give it another 4-5 years and enjoy bottles over the following 30-40+ years. |
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Rhone | 1 | 97 (WA) |
In Bond
€1,660.00 |
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Wine Advocate (97)A similar extroverted, sexy style to the '09, just on a slightly smaller scale, the 2007 Hermitage Ex Voto offers sensational black raspberry, creme de cassis, creamy licorice and crushed flower-like aromas and flavors, with the telltale minerality/graphite of the Hermitage Hill coming through with time in the glass. While aged close to four years in 100% new French oak, you'd never know it by tasting it. This full-bodied, beautifully concentrated, layered and already approachable beauty will have another 30+ years of drinkability. |
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Rhone | 2 | 100 (WA) |
In Bond
€1,275.00 |
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Wine Advocate (100)Every bit as phenomenal as the '10, yet in a completely different style, the 2009 Hermitage Ex Voto reveals a saturated inky color as well as layers of plums, black raspberries, candied violets, licorice and crushed rock. More voluptuous and extroverted than the '10, with an undeniably sexy, full-bodied, massively concentrated personality that just begs to be drunk, it will still evolve for decades on its sheer wealth of material. |
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Rhone | 4 | 100 (WA) |
In Bond
€1,565.00 |
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Wine Advocate (100)The 2010 Hermitage Ex Voto continues to top out on my scale. This extraordinary Hermitage has more minerality and delineation than the 2009, as well as overflowing aromas and flavors of creme de cassis, jammy blackberries, violets, graphite and wood smoke. Massively concentrated, full-bodied, decadent, layered and sexy, it needs short-term cellaring but should be just about immortal in the cellar. |
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Rhone | 1 | 96+ (WA) |
In Bond
€2,815.00 |
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Wine Advocate (96+)The 2012 Hermitage Ex Voto (which I suspect won’t be produced again until 2015) was bottled in January of this year and it’s a big, voluptuous beauty that’s loaded with fruit and texture. Crème de cassis, black raspberries, crushed rocks and a touch of beef blood all soar from the glass of this beauty, which hits the palate with a wealth of sweet fruit, building, ripe tannin and blockbuster length. Liquid Viagra would suffice as a descriptor for this wine, and while it’s already impossible to resist today, it will age effortlessly for 25 or more years. |
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Rhone | 10 | 96+ (WA) |
In Bond
€854.00 |
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Wine Advocate (96+)The 2012 Hermitage Ex Voto (which I suspect won’t be produced again until 2015) was bottled in January of this year and it’s a big, voluptuous beauty that’s loaded with fruit and texture. Crème de cassis, black raspberries, crushed rocks and a touch of beef blood all soar from the glass of this beauty, which hits the palate with a wealth of sweet fruit, building, ripe tannin and blockbuster length. Liquid Viagra would suffice as a descriptor for this wine, and while it’s already impossible to resist today, it will age effortlessly for 25 or more years. |
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Rhone | 10 | 96+ (WA) |
In Bond
€1,390.00 |
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Wine Advocate (96+)The 2012 Hermitage Ex Voto (which I suspect won’t be produced again until 2015) was bottled in January of this year and it’s a big, voluptuous beauty that’s loaded with fruit and texture. Crème de cassis, black raspberries, crushed rocks and a touch of beef blood all soar from the glass of this beauty, which hits the palate with a wealth of sweet fruit, building, ripe tannin and blockbuster length. Liquid Viagra would suffice as a descriptor for this wine, and while it’s already impossible to resist today, it will age effortlessly for 25 or more years. |
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Rhone | 10 | 97 (WS) |
In Bond
€877.00 |
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Wine Spectator (97)This is intense, as dense ganache, espresso, roasted juniper and alder notes form an impressive frame around an equally ornate core of steeped fig, blackberry and black currant fruit flavors, all while maintaining terrific cut and drive despite the heft. A mouthwatering iron accent at the very end seals the deal. Best from 2020 through 2040. |
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Rhone | 1 | 97 (WS) |
In Bond
€1,480.00 |
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Wine Spectator (97)This is intense, as dense ganache, espresso, roasted juniper and alder notes form an impressive frame around an equally ornate core of steeped fig, blackberry and black currant fruit flavors, all while maintaining terrific cut and drive despite the heft. A mouthwatering iron accent at the very end seals the deal. Best from 2020 through 2040. |
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Rhone | 1 | 97 (VN) |
In Bond
€3,030.00 |
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Vinous (97)Deep, glass-staining ruby. Deep-pitched aromas of cherry liqueur, blackberry, fruitcake and incense on the highly perfumed nose. Stains the palate with vibrant black and blue fruit liqueur, allspice and violet pastille flavors, enlivened by a smoky mineral nuance that builds with aeration. Shows a suave blend of richness and vivacity, and no rough edges. Spicy and expansive on the strikingly long, sappy finish, which features resonating dark berry character and youthfully chewy tannins. |
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Rhone | 1 | 97 (VN) |
In Bond
€837.00 |
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Vinous (97)Deep, glass-staining ruby. Deep-pitched aromas of cherry liqueur, blackberry, fruitcake and incense on the highly perfumed nose. Stains the palate with vibrant black and blue fruit liqueur, allspice and violet pastille flavors, enlivened by a smoky mineral nuance that builds with aeration. Shows a suave blend of richness and vivacity, and no rough edges. Spicy and expansive on the strikingly long, sappy finish, which features resonating dark berry character and youthfully chewy tannins. |
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Rhone | 4 | 97 (VN) |
In Bond
€1,470.00 |
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Vinous (97)Deep, glass-staining ruby. Deep-pitched aromas of cherry liqueur, blackberry, fruitcake and incense on the highly perfumed nose. Stains the palate with vibrant black and blue fruit liqueur, allspice and violet pastille flavors, enlivened by a smoky mineral nuance that builds with aeration. Shows a suave blend of richness and vivacity, and no rough edges. Spicy and expansive on the strikingly long, sappy finish, which features resonating dark berry character and youthfully chewy tannins. |
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Rhone | 6 | 97-99 (JD) |
In Bond
€2,675.00 |
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Jeb Dunnuck (97-99)The 2017 Hermitage Ex Voto shows the sunny, sexy side of the vintage yet backs it up with a dense, concentrated style. Ripe black fruits, smoked earth, toasted bread, and exotic spice all define the bouquet, and it’s full-bodied, structured, and powerful on the palate. Like most 2017s, it’s going to have some early accessibility due to the wealth of fruit, yet it’s going to benefit from 5-7 years of bottle age. |
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