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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.”

1989 Chateau Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve

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

MB  *****   
RP  97   

1989 Chateau Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve

Capsule condition issue; lightly depressed cork; light signs of past seepage; 3.5 cm ullage; light label condition issue

MB  *****   
RP  97   

1989 Chateau Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve

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

MB  *****   
RP  97   

1989 Chateau Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve

Capsule condition issue; lightly elevated cork; light signs of past seepage; 4 cm ullage; label condition issue

MB  *****   
RP  97   

1989 Chateau Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve

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

MB  *****   
RP  97   

1995 Chateau Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve

RP  99   
WS  91   

1996 Chateau Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve

ST  90+    

1996 Chateau Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve

Light capsule condition issue; light label condition issue

ST  90+    

1996 Chateau Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve

3.5 cm ullage; light label condition issue

ST  90+    

2021 Chimere

1-bottle Lot, Wood Case, 1.5ltr

1986 Chateau Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve

Capsule condition issue; 3.5 cm ullage; light label condition issue

1986 Chateau Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve

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

2014 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes

12-bottle Lot, Wood Case

WS  93   
VN  93-95   
WA  92   

2016 Chimere

1.5ltr

JD  99   

2016 Chimere

1-bottle Lot, Wood Case, 1.5ltr

JD  99   

2018 Chimere

1.5ltr

2020 Chimere

1.5ltr

2020 Chimere

1-bottle Lot, Wood Case, 1.5ltr

2020 Chimere

1-bottle Lot, Wood Case, 1.5ltr

2021 Chimere

1-bottle Lot, Wood Case, 1.5ltr

2017 Chimere

1.5ltr

2017 Chimere

1-bottle Lot, Wood Case, 1.5ltr

1992 Henri Bonneau Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve des Celestins

Light capsule condition issue; lightly depressed cork; 3 cm ullage; light label condition issue

ST  92   

2007 Clos Saint Jean Chateauneuf-du-Pape Deus Ex Machina

Lightly depressed cork; label condition issue

RP  100   
WS  96   
VN  96   

2007 Clos Saint Jean Chateauneuf-du-Pape Deus Ex Machina

Label condition issue

RP  100   
WS  96   
VN  96