What makes Rhône 2016 so exciting?
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Finding the sweet spot in a great vintage
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Iâve just been out to the Rhone to catch a sneaky peek at the
highly anticipated 2015 vintage. I can confirm that things are
looking good. Bombastic fruit, velvet tannins, electric freshness
and best of all, there is plenty of it â yields are at a
normal/good level for the first time in years. Producers had very
little to report in terms of problems, the grapes had been healthy,
harvest conditions were ideal. It was undoubtedly a hot year, but
the nights were cool, bringing balance. This heat in the north was
quite welcome, bringing levels of concentration not seen since
2009/2010, but many growers think that 2015 exceeds even the
stellar 2010 in quality (some said it was the best they had ever
seen, in fact).
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Our first Rhone 2013s
have started to arrive in bond â these Cotes du Rhones Villages,
Crozes Hermitages, St Perays and more are perfect for drinking now
and many are immediately available. The more serious and age-worthy
wines will start to arrive in the Autumn.
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This week we had the pleasure of hosting Vincent Avril, current
proprietor of the illustrious family owned Chateauneuf property
Clos des Papes. The estate hardly needs much
introduction, with a deserving reputation built on the focus of
each generation in producing the best single expression of the
multitude of terroirs under their stewardship. Indeed Vincent is
right in stressing the importance of the scattered nature of their
vineyard holdings. These allow him access to the fruit of
twenty-four distinct plots; each with their own character from
their particular cocktail of galet stones, gravel, sand, clay and
limestone.
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Newly released Rhone 2013s. Madeline Mehalko â Senior Buyer
â shares the excitement of these archetypal Gigondas from
Chateau Saint Cosme. One of our favourite
Rhone producers.
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The darker pink wines from Tavel in the Rhone may not be as
well known as the pale pink wines from Provence, but they make a
versatile wine between the seasons, as Madeleine
Mehalko explains.
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How to drink well? Join us for our new series. Our wine
buyer, Madeline Mehalko, explains why Domaine la Cabotte Cotes du
Rhone is her go-to red wine in the winter months.
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