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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.

2016 Bosquet des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape La Folie

JD  99   
WA  97   
VN  95   
WE  95   
JR  17   

2012 Henri & Philippe Gallet Côte-Rôtie

1.5ltr

2004 E. Guigal Cote-Rotie Chateau d'Ampuis

Signs of past seepage; label condition issue

VN  93   
WS  92   
RP  91   

2014 E. Guigal Cote-Rotie Chateau d'Ampuis

WS  95   
VN  94   
JS  94   
WA  93   
JD  93   

2006 Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Laurence

Lightly depressed cork

WS  94   
VN  94   

2019 Maison Stephan Cote-Rotie Coteaux de Tupin

Light label condition issue

VN  95   

2009 Pierre Usseglio Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee de Mon Aieul

1.5ltr

Signs of past seepage

RP  92+    
WS  92   
VN  91-93   
JR  17   

1985 Chateau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Light capsule condition issue; light signs of past seepage; 3.5 cm ullage

RP  91   
WS  91   

1985 Chateau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

RP  91   
WS  91   

1985 Chateau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Light capsule condition issue; light signs of past seepage

RP  91   
WS  91   

2006 B. Levet Cote Rotie La Chavaroche

Light capsule condition issue; lightly depressed cork; light signs of past seepage; light label condition issue

VN  91-94   

2006 B. Levet Cote Rotie La Chavaroche

Light label condition issue

VN  91-94   

2009 B. Levet Cote Rotie La Chavaroche

Light capsule condition issue; lightly depressed cork; light label condition issue

VN  93   

2017 Chateau la Nerthe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Clavelles

Light label condition issue

1988 Chateau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Capsule condition issue; 4 cm ullage

CT  91.4   
RP  90   
WS  90   
JR  17   

1988 Chateau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Capsule condition issue; lightly elevated cork; light label condition issue

CT  91.4   
RP  90   
WS  90   
JR  17   

1988 Chateau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Capsule condition issue; lightly elevated cork

CT  91.4   
RP  90   
WS  90   
JR  17   

2018 E. Guigal Cote-Rotie Chateau d'Ampuis

Light label condition issue

WA  95+    
WS  94   

1990 Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Chaupin

Lightly elevated cork

RP  90   

2000 Chateau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Light label condition issue

RP  94   
ST  93   
CT  92.1   
WS  90   

2004 Chateau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

WS  96   
RP  93   
VN  93   
JR  18.5   

1990 M. Chapoutier Hermitage

Label condition issue

2012 B. Levet Cote Rotie La Chavaroche

Light label condition issue

VN  94   

2012 B. Levet Cote Rotie La Chavaroche

VN  94   

2012 B. Levet Cote Rotie La Chavaroche

Lightly depressed cork; light label condition issue

VN  94