Red Rhône Wines
The Philippe & Vincent Jaboulet Collection
When the renowned Jaboulet Empire was sold in 2005, two of the family took over part of their famed vineyards in Hermitage, Crozes & Cornas. Philippe & Vincent Jaboulet continue the tradtional passion for making superb wines from these unique vineyards. These are all very serious wines made in very small quantities.
The result is wines of excellent quality and a reputation to match—they often receive the children of more famous producers as apprentices—and both Parker and the Wine Spectator have praised their wines over the years.
Domaine NouvelÈre, Crozes-Hermitage
After the success of their 2007 vintage, which Rose Murray Brown described as “the best Crozes I have ever tasted,” Philippe & Vincent have given us a small quantity of their delicious 2009 Crozes-Hermitage at a very advantageous ‘En Primeur’ priceEnprimeur.
From the famous Thalabert vineyards, this is one of the finest (if not the finest) Crozes-Hermitage made now. It will be drinking for another 20 years—and is full, lush, concentrated and beautifully balanced. A must for every serious cellar.
Technical notes: The wine comes from Syrah vines of an average age of 65 years on the Thalabert plateau with a yield of less than 30hl/ha and is vinified in open tanks with regular ‘pigeage’ and then aged in new oak barrels. Everything is done by hand with the upmost care & attention.
 Cornas
A black, powerful and brooding Cornas from the old Jaboulet Aine vineyards on south facing granite terraces. Cornas is a tiny appellation—94 hectares in total- and its wines are often described as a cross between Hermitage & Côte-Rôtie, but at a far more affordable priceEnprimeur. With the Jaboulet heritage this is, as you would expect, a beautifully made wine that will last for a very long time (20 years).
“The 2009 Cornas offers beautiful notes of blueberries, blackberries, burning embers, charcoal and subtle smoke. It is a rich medium to full bodied, pure, impressively endowed effort that should drink well for a decade or more.” — Robert Parker
 Hermitage
Hermitage (or ‘Ermitage’ to use its old French name) is the most famous appellation in the Northern Rhône but in size is equivalent to a Bordeaux estate. As a result very limited quantities are produced each year and the demand is inordinate. This Hermitage, made by the Jaboulets from very old Syrah vines on the famous La Chapelle slopes, is a rich, concentrated, highly complex wine and a fine example of this appellation at its best. It will last at least 20 years—so a great one for the cellar. Max. 1 case per customer.
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White Rhône Wines
 Domaine Pichon Condrieu 2009
Christopher Pichon‘s small 4 hectare estate in the Chevannay commune has produced a remarkably rich and full bodied Condrieu in 2009 with flavours of orange blossom, spring flowers and spices. It is exceptionally good value for a high quality Condrieu—the appelation is only 110 ha in total producing some of the very best white wines in the Northern Rhône from Viognier grapes—and will be much in demand from all Condrieu lovers and the better Parisienne restaurants. Drink from 2011 to 2015.
Philippe & Vincent Jaboulet Hermitage Blanc
Also from the very small Hermitage appellation, this white made from very old Marsanne vines is an absolute show stopper. When we first tasted it there was complete silence in our tasting room—something almost unique had happened. Rich, complex with extraordinary, diverse fruit flavours—a wine that will take over and dominate a conversation. The top whites from Hermitage are among the longest-living dry whites of France. So, again, this is another for the cellar. Max. 2 cases per customer.
more red Rhône wines
 Château Raspail Gigondas 2009
A superb medium bodied, rich, ripe Gigondas from this historic estate founded by Eugene Raspail, the renowned scholar and 3rd Republic politician in the 1860's. The wine is now made by the highly talented Francoise Meffre. An attractive wine for early drinking with a good 6-7 years ahead of it.
 Domaine Jean-Claude Marsanne, Saint-Joseph 2009
Stunning 100% Syrah produced from very old vines (60-100 years old) grown on steep granite slopes in Mauve, the very heartland of St-Joseph. The vineyards in this region are east facing so they get less sun than most other regions in the Northern Rhône. As a result the wines are among the best Syrahs in the Rhône to drink young. This is no exception—delicious cherry fruit flavours, a hint of smoke and great underlying acidity. This is a wine to follow. Drink 2012-2020.
 Domaine de Saint Paul, Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2009
An excptionally good value and serious Châteauneuf that we all follow and drink ourselves. It is sweet, luscious and ripe & will be perfect for drinking over the next 5 years. Made by the Jeune family with immense care & respect.
“This fruity, elegant, medium ruby-hued 2009 Châteauneuf du Pape exhibits pleasant notes of underbrush, loamy soil, garrigue and red cherries.” — Robert Parker
 Vincent Paris, Saint-Joseph 2009 SOLD OUT
Vincent Paris is one of ‘the’ rising stars in St-Joseph & Cornas and a name to follow—his 2009 St-Joseph is packed with intense dark fruit with good acidity and ripe tannins. A very afforadable wine that is beautifully made and expressive of the terrior—we consider ourselves fortunate to have found him! Drink 2012–2018.
St-Joseph is the largest appelation in the Northern Rhône—still only 600 ha—the wines are predominately Syrah and are normally lighter and more forward than those from Hermitage.
 Domaine Lafoy, CuvÉe JYL CÔte-RÔtie 2009
Yves & Jocelyn Lafoy are one of the rising stars of Côte-Rôtie—their passion and winemaking skills came from the tutelage of the legenday late Patrick Jasmin.
Their 2009 is a rich, well structured wine—beautifully made with minerality from the very steep terraced slopes ands a long finish make a wine that will age well and last for 10+ years possibly a lot longer. As with all Côte-Rôtie the wine is entirely100% from these vineyards, first planted by the Romans.
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