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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.”

2007 Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Vieilles Vignes

RP  97   
WS  95   
2 available
Bid

2003 Chateau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Light label condition issue

WS  94   
VN  93   
RP  92   
JR  17.5   

2006 Chateau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

RP  95   
WS  95   
WA  94   
VN  91-93   
JR  18   

2012 Chateau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Light capsule condition issue; light label condition issue

WA  96   
WS  95   
DE  95   
VN  93   
JR  18   

2019 Chateau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

WS  96   
WA  95   
VN  95   
JR  17+    
WS  #7 of 2022   

2004 Chateau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc

RP  94   
2 available
Bid

2006 Chateau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc

RP  94   
WS  94   
ST  91   
3 available
Bid *

2016 Chateau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc

JD  95   
WA  94   
VN  94   

2017 Chateau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc

JD  93-95   
WA  92-94   
JR  17.5   
3 available
Bid *

2005 Chateau de Beaucastel Cotes du Rhone Coudoulet de Beaucastel

Lightly depressed cork; light label condition issue

RP  90-92   
VN  88-91   

2016 E. Guigal Chateau de Nalys Chateauneuf du Pape

Light label condition issue

WA  95   
VN  94   

2016 E. Guigal Chateau de Nalys Chateauneuf du Pape

WA  95   
VN  94   

2000 E. Guigal Châteauneuf-du-Pape

RP  92   
ST  92   
5 available
Bid *

2000 E. Guigal Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Light label condition issue

RP  92   
ST  92   
2 available
Bid *

1995 M. Chapoutier Chateauneuf du Pape La Bernardine

Light capsule condition issue; light label condition issue

RP  91   
4 available
Bid *

2001 Paul Jaboulet Aine Chateauneuf du Pape Les Cedres

Light label condition issue

2001 Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Reservee

RP  95+    
ST  94   
WS  92   

2009 Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Reservee

Light label condition issue

RP  98   
WS  95   
VN  93   
4 available
Bid *

2009 Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Reservee

Label condition issue

RP  98   
WS  95   
VN  93   

2017 Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Reservee

WA  95   
WS  95   
JD  95   
VN  94   
JS  92   
2 available
Bid *

2018 Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Reservee

VN  95   
WA  94   
JD  91   
2 available
Bid

2020 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape

France Direct
Expected Arrival:
10 weeks from purchase date
WS  97   
WA  96-98   
JD  96   
JR  17.5   
3 available
Bid *

1986 Chateau Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve

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

1986 Chateau Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve

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

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