Wine Advocate (95-97)

The 2019 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Réservée looks set to rival the best examples of this bottling. Made up of approximately 80% Grenache, with 6% Syrah, 4% Mourvèdre and smaller amounts of other permitted varieties, it's impressively complex on the nose, with scents of black cherries, blackberries and black olives, plus mysterious wafts of violets and garrigue. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated, it finishes long and velvety, a sure-fire bet for cellaring.

Wine Advocate (95-97)

The 2019 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Réservée looks set to rival the best examples of this bottling. Made up of approximately 80% Grenache, with 6% Syrah, 4% Mourvèdre and smaller amounts of other permitted varieties, it's impressively complex on the nose, with scents of black cherries, blackberries and black olives, plus mysterious wafts of violets and garrigue. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated, it finishes long and velvety, a sure-fire bet for cellaring.

Emanating from the illustrious Rhone Valley in France, the Perrin & Fils Gigondas VV 2019 epitomises the best of this iconic winemaking region. This red wine, precisely crafted by the renowned Perrin family, is a resplendent amalgamation of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre grape varieties. Known for their dedication to organic and biodynamic cultivation, the Perrins employ traditional winemaking methods, ageing this Gigondas vintage in oak foudres for a year.

The Perrin & Fils Gigondas VV 2019 showcases an inviting deep-ruby tone and exudes notes of ripe black fruits, pepper, and earthy garrigue. Complementing its intense aroma, the wine possesses harmonious tannins and well-balanced acidity, delivering a majestic finish that lingers gracefully.

Available in limited quantities, the Perrin & Fils Gigondas VV 2019 is a true indulgence for the discerning oenophile, a splendid highlight among the extraordinary wine catalogue of Perrin & Fils.

Jeb Dunnuck (92-94)

Moving to the smaller production cuvées, the Syrah-dominated 2019 Ventoux Quintessence reveals a deeper ruby/plum color followed by a beautiful bouquet of smoked red and black fruits, gamey herbs, spring flowers, and an almost forest floor-like character. With considerable elegance on the palate, medium to full-bodied richness, and silky yet building tannins, this is straight-up classy stuff. It will benefit from a year or three of bottle age and drink nicely for a solid decade.

Vinous (93-94)

Pale, glistening yellow. Meyer lemon, pear nectar and jasmine scents show excellent clarity and pick up hints of tarragon and candied ginger with air. Lively and expansive on the palate, offering intense citrus, orchard and pit fruit flavors and suave mineral and floral nuances. Shows fine delineation and spicy cut on the finish, which leaves honeysuckle and chamomile notes behind.

Jeb Dunnuck (96)

Moving to the flagship, the 2019 Saint Joseph got a big “wow” in my notes, and this is the finest wine I’ve tasted from these hard-working brothers. Awesome red and black fruits, ground pepper, and hints of game and meatiness all emerge from the glass, and it’s medium to full-bodied on the palate, with perfect balance, silky tannins, and one heck of a finish. This brilliant Saint Joseph is one of the top wines in the appellation and can be enjoyed any time over the coming 15 years.

Jeb Dunnuck (96)

Moving to the flagship, the 2019 Saint Joseph got a big “wow” in my notes, and this is the finest wine I’ve tasted from these hard-working brothers. Awesome red and black fruits, ground pepper, and hints of game and meatiness all emerge from the glass, and it’s medium to full-bodied on the palate, with perfect balance, silky tannins, and one heck of a finish. This brilliant Saint Joseph is one of the top wines in the appellation and can be enjoyed any time over the coming 15 years.

Indulge in the elegant taste of Pierre Jean Villa Condrieu Jardin Suspendu 2019. This exceptional vintage is a creation of renowned Rhône winegrower, Pierre Jean Villa, known for his meticulous attention to detail and commitment to terroir-expressive wines. Grown in the illustrious vineyards of Condrieu in Northern Rhône, this Viognier embodies the region's unique terroir, showcasing the magic of its famous granite-rich soils.

Through traditional vinification methods, Villa crafts a wine of extraordinary depth, full of complex flavours that evolve in the glass. With notes of ripe exotic fruits, aromatic herbs, and a distinctive minerality, the Pierre Jean Villa Condrieu Jardin Suspendu 2019 provides a remarkable gastronomic experience. It is a harmonious combination of power and finesse.

By consistently delivering excellence, Villa maintains a respected status amongst his peers. A bottle of Pierre Jean Villa Condrieu Jardin Suspendu 2019 is a sophisticated addition to any wine collection, confirming the pinnacle of white Rhône craftsmanship.

Jeb Dunnuck (98+)

One of the top handful of wines in the vintage, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée De Mon Aïeul is all Grenache, from the different terroirs (one sand, one clay, and one limestone) that was 50% destemmed and aged all in older demi-muids. Reminding me of the 2007 with its incredible perfume of ripe black raspberries, strawberries, flowery incense, peppery and Provençal garrigue, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a round, expansive texture, gorgeous tannins, and a blockbuster of a finish. A wine of incredibly purity, precision, and elegance, yet also with power and opulence, this sensational effort is in need of 3-4 years of bottle age and will keep for two decades.

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

The 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Not For You is flat-out awesome, and Grenache doesn't get any better in this reviewer's opinion. Coming from 100-year-old vines in the Les Serres lieu-dit, in the southern end of the appellation, it was not destemmed and was brought up in a single new demi-muid. Incredible aromatics of darker berries, Provençal garrigue, ground pepper, lavender, and leather are just some of its nuances, and this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a deep, layered, opulent mouthfeel, full-bodied richness, ripe tannins, and a great, great finish. While this is a massive wine by any measure, it's not over the top, stays perfectly balanced, has ripe tannins, and is an incredibly singular wine. Unfortunately, it will be just about impossible to find in the market. If you're lucky enough to find a bottle, it should be at its best from 2026-2041.

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

The 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Not For You is flat-out awesome, and Grenache doesn't get any better in this reviewer's opinion. Coming from 100-year-old vines in the Les Serres lieu-dit, in the southern end of the appellation, it was not destemmed and was brought up in a single new demi-muid. Incredible aromatics of darker berries, Provençal garrigue, ground pepper, lavender, and leather are just some of its nuances, and this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a deep, layered, opulent mouthfeel, full-bodied richness, ripe tannins, and a great, great finish. While this is a massive wine by any measure, it's not over the top, stays perfectly balanced, has ripe tannins, and is an incredibly singular wine. Unfortunately, it will be just about impossible to find in the market. If you're lucky enough to find a bottle, it should be at its best from 2026-2041.

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

While the 2020 will include a splash of Syrah, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Réserve Des Deux Frères is its normal 100% Grenache and is a selection made in the cellar. In 2019, it ended up being roughly 30% new oak, and I think there were some stems included as well. It’s another magical wine from this estate, boasting a dense purple hue as well as a perfume of black raspberries, cassis, blueberry liqueur, spring flowers, toasted bread, and lavender. Full-bodied on the palate, with an incredible mouthfeel, riveting purity, and ultra-fine tannins, it’s unquestionably one of the all-time greats of this cuvée. Give bottles 3-4 years and enjoy over the following two decades or more.

James Suckling (96)

Deep, spicy and fragrant, this is a very concentrated and elegant Chateauneuf-du-Pape with remarkably fine tannins and floral delicacy alongside its earthy primacy. Mainly produced from grenache vines planted in 1901 and 1902. From Demeter-certified biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

Vinous (94)

Deep violet color. Ripe blackberry and cherry on the floral- and spice-accented nose. Shows fine definition and appealing sweetness on the palate, offering juicy dark fruit and floral pastille flavors and a peppery overtone. Closes long and lively, with repeating cherry and spice notes and even tannins that lend subtle grip.

Vinous (94)

Deep violet color. Ripe blackberry and cherry on the floral- and spice-accented nose. Shows fine definition and appealing sweetness on the palate, offering juicy dark fruit and floral pastille flavors and a peppery overtone. Closes long and lively, with repeating cherry and spice notes and even tannins that lend subtle grip.

The Wine Cellar Insider (100)

The best vintage of Le Secret des Sabon since the otherworldly 2001, this is exciting from the moment the wine hits your glass due to its incredible nose packed with flowers, black and red fruits, herbs, peppery spices and thyme. The magic however is on the palate. There is weight, density and, concentration. Even with its wealth of fruit, the wine remains elegant, refined, silky, opulent, balanced, fresh and effortless to drink. The wine is made from seriously old vine Grenache, from mostly old vines that are more than 100 years of age. Clearly, this is in contention for one of the wines of the vintage.

Wine Enthusiast (95)

A cutting, mineral freshness and etching of char juxtaposes rich, almost inky, flavors of blueberry and fig paste here. While hints of blossom, spice and fur are enticing young, it's a weighty, firmly structured Grenache-dominant blend (augmented by Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault) that should continue to improve well through 2035

Wine Enthusiast (97)

Massively ripe and densely concentrated, this sun-drenched wine boasts flavors of black plum and wild raspberry that are unctuous and roasted. The powerful, delicately spicy and smoky Grenache maintains the finesse and precision you expect from Saint Cosme. Fine, supple tannins and ample fruit make the wine welcoming young but it will improve through 2035.

Wine Advocate (90-92)

An 80-20 blend of Grenache and Mourvèdre, the 2019 Cotes du Rhone Villages Plan de Dieu Vieilles Vignes is an excellent option for consumers who don't want to spend the extra money for the Saurel family's Gigondas bottlings. The garrigue on the nose is a bit more subtle than normal this year, with the bulk of the aromatics being super ripe cherries and berries. Full-bodied and intense, with a helping of firm tannins that keep the jamminess in check, it finishes dusty and savory, with ample length. This is a big wine, yet one I suspect will mature relatively quickly; drink it over the next 5-6 years.

Jeb Dunnuck (97+)

The 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Colombis comes from more sandy soils and is all Grenache raised in demi-muids. Wild strawberries, cherries, flowery incense, lavender, and loamy earth all make an appearance, and it's full-bodied, has a deep layered texture, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It's another wine that needs a few years of bottle age, but it will deliver the goods over the following 15+. This is Grenache at its most elegant and seamless.

Jeb Dunnuck (99)

The 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Collection Charles Giraud includes a big chunk of Mourvèdre and is 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvèdre that was partially destemmed and brought up in demi-muids. If offers a deep ruby/plum color as well as a rich, savory, complex bouquet of black raspberries, cassis, toasted spice, cured meats, and graphite. The Mourvèdre really shows in this beauty, and it's full-bodied, concentrated, and structured, yet never loses its seamless, flawlessly balanced profile. It's going to need 4-5 years of bottle age but will have 20-25 years of ultimate longevity. It's another thrilling wine from this estate.

Wine Advocate (94-96)

The 2019 Gigondas La Louisiane hails from a south-facing slope of clay and sand and is a blend of 80% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre and 5% Syrah and Cinsault, all aged in foudre. Loaded with black cherries and mixed berries, it's a big, full-bodied effort that drinks surprisingly well already yet has the concentration, length and structure that should enable it to age another 15 years or more.

Jeb Dunnuck (94-96)

Also showing considerable elegance, the 2019 Gigondas Les Souteyrades sports a ruby/purple hue to go with beautiful and exotic notes of black raspberries, kirsch, candied orange, violets, and peppery garrigue. Beautifully balanced, medium to full-bodied, and downright silky on the palate, this heavenly Grenache should be snatched up by readers. It's going to keep for 15 years.

Vinous (93)

Glass-staining magenta. Deeply perfumed black raspberry, boysenberry and floral aromas pick up a peppery note with aeration. Juicy and seamless in the mouth, it offers concentrated red berry, cherry-cola spicecake and botanical herb flavors that turn sweeter as the wine opens up. The spice and floral notes linger on a long, subtly chewy finish that features well-knit tannins and a repeating red fruit note.

The Sang des Cailloux Vacqueyras Oumage 2019 presents a remarkable vinous experience hailing from Southern Rhône, the heart of the French viticultural landscape. This delectable red blend is meticulously crafted by the well-regarded producer, Sang des Cailloux, renowned for its remarkable wines since 1970. Embodying the distinctive terroir of its Vacqueyras appellation, it's a celebration of Grenache grapes, with a dash of Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault that thrive on the organic, limestone-rich soils of the vineyard. No stone is left unturned as each berry is hand-harvested to perpetuate the essence of bio-dynamic viticulture.

This 2019 vintage reveals a profusion of concentrated red fruit and spice on the nose, underlined by a subtle earthy nuance. On the palate, the Sang des Cailloux Vacqueyras Oumage 2019 unveils a precise balance between its robust tannins and vivacious acidity, rounded off by a lasting finish. A testament to the finesse of Vacqueyras wines.