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Rhône Valley

The Rhône Valley in southeast France follows the Rhône River for 125 miles and is home to some 170,000 vineyard acres. It is beloved by admirers of robust, fruit-filled, tannic red wines made from Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Carignan and Cinsualt. Though red wines predominate, the Rhône Valley also makes excellent fruity, full-bodied but dry white wines from Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne. Some of the justly famous wines from the Rhône Valley include Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, Condrieu, Gigondas and Cornas. Rosé wines are also produced. Vineyards have been cultivated in this area since at least 600 B.C., and by the 13th century the wines of the region were being served to the Pope, who during the 13th century resided in nearby Avignon rather than in Rome. The prestige associated with the reds preferred by the Pope led to the name Châteauneuf-du-Pape, or the “new home of the pope.” The region is generally divided into north and south when discussing wine types, and there are many appellations within the valley. Along with Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne, Rhône wines are among France’s best known and most collected wines.

1982 Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Chapelle

Light signs of past seepage; 5 cm ullage; light label condition issue

RP  92   
JR  17   

1985 E. Guigal Cote-Rotie Brune et Blonde

Light capsule condition issue; light label condition issue

WS  91   
RP  90   

1986 Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Lightly elevated cork; light label condition issue

WS  90   

1989 M. Chapoutier Hermitage La Sizeranne

Lightly depressed cork; light label condition issue

RP  90   

1989 Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Chapelle

Light capsule condition issue; depressed cork; signs of past seepage; 3 cm ullage; light label condition issue

RP  96   
WS  96   

1989 Domaine de la Rousse Côte-Rôtie

Capsule condition issue; light signs of past seepage; light label condition issue

1990 Chateau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

3 cm ullage or better

DE  *****   
RP  94   
CT  94.1   
WS  92   
JR  18   

1990 Chateau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Light capsule condition issue; light signs of past seepage; 3 cm ullage or better

DE  *****   
RP  94   
CT  94.1   
WS  92   
JR  18   

1990 Chateau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Light capsule condition issue; light label condition issue

DE  *****   
RP  94   
CT  94.1   
WS  92   
JR  18   

1990 Chateau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

4.5 cm ullage

DE  *****   
RP  94   
CT  94.1   
WS  92   
JR  18   

1990 Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage

Label condition issue

RP  98   
WS  98   
ST  96+    
JR  17.5   

1990 Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Chapelle

Lightly depressed cork; label condition issue

RP  100   
WS  97   
JR  18   

1990 B. Levet Côte-Rôtie

Lightly depressed cork; 3 cm ullage; light label condition issue

1991 Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Chapelle

Light capsule condition issue; signs of past seepage; light label condition issue

WS  94   
RP  90   

1991 Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Chapelle

Signs of past seepage; light label condition issue

WS  94   
RP  90   

1995 Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape Hommage a Jacques Perrin

Light capsule condition issue; label condition issue

RP  96   
WS  95   
ST  94+    

1995 Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Laurence

Light capsule condition issue; elevated cork; light signs of past seepage

WS  97   

1995 Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape

1.5ltr

Capsule condition issue; signs of past seepage; label condition issue

RP  93   
CT  92.8   

1995 Robert Michel Cornas Cuvee des Coteaux

Lightly depressed cork; light label condition issue

1995 Domaine La Garrigue Cotes du Rhone Cuvee Romaine

Light capsule condition issue; signs of past seepage; 3 cm ullage; light label condition issue

1995 Vieux Cardinale Cotes du Rhone Les Residences

Light label condition issue

1996 Château Les Amoureuses Côtes du Rhône

Light label condition issue

1997 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Meal

Light label condition issue

ST  92+    
RP  91-94   
WS  90   

1997 Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Chapelle

Lightly elevated cork; label condition issue

RP  93   
ST  93   

1998 Chateau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Lightly elevated cork

WE  96   
JD  95   
WS  94   
ST  93   
RP  92   
CT  92.2   
JR  18