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Southern Rhône

The Southern Rhône Valley wine region extends from Orange in the north through the communes Lirac and Tavel in the southwest. The French call the region Côtes du Rhône Méridionales and it includes some of the best known appellations in France, such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas. The climate and landscape of the Southern Rhone differ significantly from the Northern Rhone. There are hot, often windy Mediterranean appellations near Nimes and the south, and higher altitude, relatively cool appellations such as Côtes du Ventoux to the east. Understanding the region can be confusing given that there are thirteen appellations and sixteen red and white grapes allowed for wines with appellation status. Syrah is grown here, but it is much less important than in the north. Grenache is the prominent red grape, though most red wines are blends of at least four varietals. Other commonly used red grapes are Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Muscardin. Counoise, Terret Noir, Vaccarèse and Syrah are also permitted. The primary white grapes are Grenache Blanc, Clairette and Bourboulenc, though Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne are permitted, as are Picpoul and Picardin. Of note is the Côtes du Rhone Villages AOC, which is only in the Southern Rhone. Though Côtes du Rhône AOC wine is made in both the north and south, the Villages appellation has stricter requirements for winemaking and is generally considered higher quality than simple Côtes du Rhône. Robert M. Parker Jr. has written that “There is a vast amount of enjoyment to be discovered in the southern Rhône…for these are some of the most sumptuous and pleasure-giving wines produced in the world.”

1994 Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Vieilles Vignes

RP  96   

2001 Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape Hommage a Jacques Perrin

1-bottle Lot, Wood Case, 1.5ltr

Elevated cork; signs of past seepage

RP  99+    
ST  95+    
WS  93   
JR  17   

1982 Chateau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

375ml

3 cm ullage; label condition issue

1983 Chateau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Capsule condition issue; heavy label condition issue

CT  91.4   
RP  90   
WS  90   

1985 Chateau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

3.5 cm ullage; label condition issue

RP  91   
WS  91   

1985 Chateau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Capsule condition issue; lightly elevated cork; 4.5 cm ullage; label condition issue

RP  91   
WS  91   

1989 Chateau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

375ml

Light capsule condition issue; signs of past seepage; 4.5 cm ullage; light label condition issue

MB  *****   
RP  97   
WS  97   
CT  94.1   
JR  18   

1989 Chateau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

375ml

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

MB  *****   
RP  97   
WS  97   
CT  94.1   
JR  18   

1989 Chateau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

375ml

Light signs of past seepage

MB  *****   
RP  97   
WS  97   
CT  94.1   
JR  18   

1989 Chateau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

375ml

Light capsule condition issue

MB  *****   
RP  97   
WS  97   
CT  94.1   
JR  18   

1989 Chateau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Capsule condition issue; lightly depressed cork; signs of past seepage; 3 cm ullage; light label condition issue

MB  *****   
RP  97   
WS  97   
CT  94.1   
JR  18   

1993 Chateau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

3.5 cm ullage; light label condition issue

RP  90   

2015 Chateau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Light label condition issue

WS  97   
JS  97   
WA  96   
JD  96   
VN  93-95   
JR  17.5   
WS  #18 of 2018   

2016 Chateau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

JS  99   
WA  97   
WS  97   
JD  96+    
VN  93-95   
JR  18   
WS  #6 of 2019   

1966 E. Guigal Châteauneuf-du-Pape

375ml

Capsule condition issue; 3 cm ullage or better; light label condition issue

1966 E. Guigal Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Light capsule condition issue; 3 cm ullage or better; light label condition issue

1976 E. Guigal Châteauneuf-du-Pape

375ml

Capsule condition issue

1979 E. Guigal Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Light capsule condition issue; light label condition issue

1989 E. Guigal Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

1990 E. Guigal Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Light capsule condition issue; light label condition issue

RP  90   

1995 E. Guigal Châteauneuf-du-Pape

2005 E. Guigal Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Light writing on label

RP  93   
VN  90   

2007 E. Guigal Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Light label condition issue

RP  93   

2009 E. Guigal Châteauneuf-du-Pape

375ml

Heavy label condition issue

WA  90-92   
WS  90   

2009 E. Guigal Châteauneuf-du-Pape

375ml

WA  90-92   
WS  90