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Châteauneuf-du-Pape: Alluring 2023s and Benchmark 2010s
featured, France
, Nov 2024
The inviting 2023 vintage in Châteauneuf-du-Pape had its highs and lows. From vineyard insights and producer commentaries to tasting notes, this report takes readers on an in-depth journey through one of the world’s most captivating wine regions, including a thorough revisiting of the stellar 2010s.
Focus on Vacqueyras: Latest Vintages and Top Producers
featured, France: Rhône & Beaujolais
, Oct 2024
Vacqueyras is bouncing back from a challenging 2021 with the stronger 2022 and 2023 vintages. The 2022s offer greater consistency, while the 2023s deliver juicy, fresh and approachable profiles. In this article, I highlight standout producers and provide an update on the commercial reality of these wines.
Gigondas: Triumphs, Challenges and New Beginnings
featured, France: Rhône & Beaujolais
, Oct 2024
The highly anticipated inaugural 2023 Gigondas Blanc category marks a significant milestone for the Southern Rhône appellation. Alongside these crisp whites, the bottled 2022 reds are gorgeous, while the unfinished 2023s, at this early stage, offer charming, juicy and approachable profiles.
Bonjour Jura!
featured, France: Jura, France
, Aug 2024
Jura, the star-studded wine region sandwiched between Burgundy and Switzerland, is firing on all cylinders. Focusing on the recent vintages from 2023 to 2020, I couldn’t be more excited to share my thoughts on one of the world’s most fascinating wine regions.
Digging up a Languedoc Treasure: Mas de Daumas Gassac 1978-2022
featured, France
, Jul 2024
Every ten years, Mas de Daumas Gassac organizes a vertical of their reds at the winery going back to the inaugural 1978 vintage. On this occasion, the winery presented 27 vintages of their flagship red, an incredible opportunity to examine the wines under a magnifying glass.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2022: Bring It On
featured, France: Rhône & Beaujolais
, Jun 2024
After getting a good glimpse at the 2022 vintage while visiting other Rhône appellations last year, I was eager to see how Châteauneuf-du-Pape performed in a growing season marked by heat, drought and hail. The short answer is that 2022 is a very good vintage in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, clearly surpassing 2021 for the reds, though likely not at the same level as 2020. Overall consistency for reds in 2022 is higher than in 2021, and there are plenty of excellent wines cruising in an affordable price range.
2019 Château Montus and Bouscassé: A Premiere Glance
featured, France
, Apr 2024
For decades, the secluded Madiran AOC in Southwest France has quietly cultivated its reputation. Now, the spotlight turns to the 2019 releases from Château Montus and Bouscassé, unveiling wines shaped by evolving viticultural and winemaking practices. Antoine Veiry, the 30-year-old stepson of Alain Brumont, is driving this transformation as he leads both estates into a promising new era.
Northern Rhône: Where Diversity Ignites the Senses
featured, France: Rhône & Beaujolais
, Mar 2024
Diversity reigns supreme in the Northern Rhône Valley, with each appellation offering unique expressions. Despite climatic challenges, local vintners exhibit remarkable adaptability, ensuring the sustainability of their vineyards and the quality of their wines. This report unearths the distinct characteristics of the 2021 and 2022 vintages, from a high degree of variability of the former to the promising potential of the latter.
Gigondas: The Southern Rhône Jewel Shines and Adapts
featured, France: Rhône & Beaujolais
, Jan 2024
Gigondas, the Southern Rhône gem, finally moves ahead with the official Gigondas Blanc category as part of the inaugural 2023 vintage. This report unravels the time-consuming AOC adaptation process, delves into the region’s unique terroir and offers a thorough review of the promising 2022 and more mixed 2021 vintages.
Vacqueyras New Releases: Walking the Underdog
featured, France: Rhône & Beaujolais
, Nov 2023
In the sun-drenched vineyards of the Southern Rhône Valley, a captivating underdog story has been unfolding for years. Overshadowed by its prestigious neighbor, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the unassuming Vacqueyras appellation has been gaining attention for its affordable, high-quality wines. This report dives deep into the world of Vacqueyras, explores its characteristics, winemaking techniques and the latest four vintages, uncovering why this hidden gem deserves your attention.