Vinous (93)

Saturated magenta. Displays incisive red and dark berry scents that are complemented by suggestions of succulent flowers, baking spices and cracked pepper. Shows fine definition and mineral lift to its juicy cherry, black raspberry and spicecake flavors, which deepen slowly through the back half. Finishes long and gently chewy, with repeating spiciness and well-knit tannins.

The delightfully complex Combier Crozes-Hermitage Clos Grives 2021 is a symphony of Rhône tastes by the venerable Domaine Combier. A notable producer of French wines since 1936, the vineyard resides in the esteemed Crozes-Hermitage region, known for its high-quality Syrah grapes. The allure of this resplendent red unfolds through a meticulous crafting process.

Combier Crozes-Hermitage Clos Grives 2021 is primarily crafted from Syrah grapes cultivated in the vineyard's oldest parcel. The fruit undergoes stringent hand-picking, resulting in premium quality. Masterfully matured in 30% new oak barrels for twelve months, the wine boasts an expressive character with harmonised tannins.

Imbued with ripe dark fruits and a touch of peppery spice, the taste narrative concludes with undernotes of mocha and leather for a compelling finish. Combier Crozes-Hermitage Clos Grives 2021 unequivocally delivers a refined example of regional Syrah expression. Not merely a wine, but a poetic tribute to its territory.

The delightfully complex Combier Crozes-Hermitage Clos Grives 2021 is a symphony of Rhône tastes by the venerable Domaine Combier. A notable producer of French wines since 1936, the vineyard resides in the esteemed Crozes-Hermitage region, known for its high-quality Syrah grapes. The allure of this resplendent red unfolds through a meticulous crafting process.

Combier Crozes-Hermitage Clos Grives 2021 is primarily crafted from Syrah grapes cultivated in the vineyard's oldest parcel. The fruit undergoes stringent hand-picking, resulting in premium quality. Masterfully matured in 30% new oak barrels for twelve months, the wine boasts an expressive character with harmonised tannins.

Imbued with ripe dark fruits and a touch of peppery spice, the taste narrative concludes with undernotes of mocha and leather for a compelling finish. Combier Crozes-Hermitage Clos Grives 2021 unequivocally delivers a refined example of regional Syrah expression. Not merely a wine, but a poetic tribute to its territory.

The delightfully complex Combier Crozes-Hermitage Clos Grives 2021 is a symphony of Rhône tastes by the venerable Domaine Combier. A notable producer of French wines since 1936, the vineyard resides in the esteemed Crozes-Hermitage region, known for its high-quality Syrah grapes. The allure of this resplendent red unfolds through a meticulous crafting process.

Combier Crozes-Hermitage Clos Grives 2021 is primarily crafted from Syrah grapes cultivated in the vineyard's oldest parcel. The fruit undergoes stringent hand-picking, resulting in premium quality. Masterfully matured in 30% new oak barrels for twelve months, the wine boasts an expressive character with harmonised tannins.

Imbued with ripe dark fruits and a touch of peppery spice, the taste narrative concludes with undernotes of mocha and leather for a compelling finish. Combier Crozes-Hermitage Clos Grives 2021 unequivocally delivers a refined example of regional Syrah expression. Not merely a wine, but a poetic tribute to its territory.

Wine Spectator (94)

This sports some seriously delicious plum, blackberry and boysenberry fruit flavors, inlaid with ample brambly grip and backed by lively anise and tar accents on the finish. Vivacious. Best from 2019 through 2029. 200 cases imported.

Vinous (94)

Dark violet color. Ripe dark berries, pungent flowers, licorice and cracked pepper on the expressive nose. Juicy and broad on entry, offering bitter cherry, black raspberry and baking spice flavors and a sweetening vanilla flourish. Round, polished tannins emerge slowly on a very long, smoky finish that strongly echoes the berry and floral notes.

Wine Advocate (95-97)

The utterly profound 2015 Cornas La Sabarotte comes from a terrific lieu-dit located in the heart of the appellation and is brought up all in new French oak. Its deep purple/blue color is followed by incredible notes of black raspberries, blueberries, spring flowers, caramelized meats and licorice. Deep, full-bodied, utterly seamless and profound on the palate, with building, sweet tannin, it's a tour de force that will have two decades or more of longevity!

Jeb Dunnuck (94-97)

The 2017 Cornas La Sabarotte is similarly purple-colored and boasts more black fruits, spice, chocolate, and dried soil/earthy notes. It's full-bodied, powerful and rounded, with a terrific sense of balance and purity paired with ample meatiness, density, and classic full-throttle Cornas character. It might just rival the 2016, which is saying something.

Jeb Dunnuck (95-97)

The 2018 Cornas La Sabarotte sees the most new oak (100% actually) and comes from a rocky, granitic southeast facing lieu-dit and vines planted mostly in 1947. Despite the new oak élevage, you wouldn't know it by tasting it. It offers a monster bouquet of blackberries, blueberries, roasted meats, ground pepper, and chocolate, with plenty of classic Cornas meatiness and minerality. Powerful, full-bodied, and opulent on the palate, with a stacked mid-palate, it’s certainly the biggest, richest wine in the lineup. It's going to take 7-8 years for this to shed its considerable baby fat.

Wine Advocate (95-97)

Even inkier-colored than the Sabarotte, the 2015 Cornas les Eygats is another single vineyard release that comes from a site located on the northern edge of the appellation. Aged in 50% new French oak (the balance is in once-used barrels), it offers sensational notes of plums, blueberries, crushed violets, pen ink and barbecue smoke in an utterly profound, decadent, layered, heavenly profile. There's ample tannin here, but they're sweet and polished, and it has an awesome finish. Don't miss it!

Jeb Dunnuck (94-96)

From a cooler terroir in the northern part of the appellation, the 2017 Cornas Les Eygats is another brilliant example of this wine and the vintage. Thrilling crème de cassis, blueberry, and blackberry fruit notes give way to more ground pepper, granite-like minerality and liquid violet notes with time in the glass. Deep, rich, incredibly sexy, and voluptuous, it has remarkable purity of fruit, a supple, layered, sexy texture, and no hard edges. It's a brilliant, brilliant wine from this great estate.

Jeb Dunnuck (98)

From a cooler parcel of pure granite soils, the 2018 Cornas Les Eygats is probably the most classic Cornas in the lineup (although these all have plenty of Cornas character) with its more mineral, iron, and almost bloody style. Loaded with massive amounts of blue and black fruits, violets, and crushed rock nuances, this full-bodied, multi-dimensional, seamless Cornas has polished tannins, flawless balance, and a monster of a finish. This broad, expansive, sexy Cornas should drink well for 20+ years.

Wine Advocate (93-95+)

The inky black/blue-colored 2015 Saint Joseph Les Royes from the Courbis team was brought up in one-third each of new, once and twice-used barrels. It offers sensational notes of crème de cassis toasted bread, licorice and pen ink in a massive, rich, concentrated, layered style that is shocking in its depth and richness. It's a crazy good St Joseph.

Jeb Dunnuck (95)

The 2019 Saint Joseph Silice Blanc is a gorgeous white based on 100% Marsanne. Loads of stony mineral notes as well as white flowers and white currants define this full-bodied, rich, concentrated beauty. Remarkably pure, it offers subtle background oak, flawless balance, and a great, great finish. This is another head-turning wine from this incredible estate. Enjoy bottles over the coming decade.

Vinous (91)

Brilliant violet color. Lively, mineral-tinged aromas of fresh cherry and dark berries, smoky minerals and violet. Smooth, sappy and energetic in the mouth, offering gently sweet black raspberry, floral pastille and allspice flavors and a zesty touch of cracked pepper. Shows very good clarity and spicy cut on the floral-tinged finish, which is framed by gentle, harmonious tannins.

Vinous (91)

Brilliant violet color. Lively, mineral-tinged aromas of fresh cherry and dark berries, smoky minerals and violet. Smooth, sappy and energetic in the mouth, offering gently sweet black raspberry, floral pastille and allspice flavors and a zesty touch of cracked pepper. Shows very good clarity and spicy cut on the floral-tinged finish, which is framed by gentle, harmonious tannins.

Vinous (92)

Deep, brilliant magenta. An expressive bouquet displays mineral-accented red and blue fruits, along with subtle white pepper, peony and allspice flourishes. Juicy and penetrating in the mouth, offering lively cherry, boysenberry and spicecake flavors that turn sweeter with air. Closes with subtle tannins and persistent red berry and mineral notes. Raised in large, neutral oak barrels.

Vinous (93)

Glass-staining ruby. Highly perfumed aromas of ripe black and blue fruits, vanilla and smoky minerals, plus a sexy floral note in the background. Gently sweet and expansive on the palate, offering supple blackberry and cherry compote flavors that show sharp clarity and very good depth. Seamless and focused on the persistent, smoke-tinged finish, with velvety tannins providing framework. 20% new oak.

Vinous (94)

Deep ruby. An expansive bouquet evokes ripe black and blue fruit, floral and spice qualities, along with smoky mineral and botanical herb nuances. Sweet and seamless in texture, offering intense cherry-cola, blueberry and violet pastille flavors that are braced by a spine of juicy acidity. Supple, fine-grained tannins build steadily on an impressively long, focused finish that echoes the floral and mineral notes. The average age of these vines is approaching 75 years now.

Jeb Dunnuck (97)

A smaller production cuvée brought up in barrel, the 2018 Saint Joseph La Sensonne sports a deep ruby/purple hue as well as beautiful cassis, kirsch, and blackberry fruits mixed with lots of spiced meats, dried flowers, and a touch of chocolate. Full-bodied, opulent, yet brilliantly balanced, this stunning Syrah has ripe tannins and an almost La Mouline-like exotic sexiness about it. It has a touch of obvious background oak, so give bottles 2-4 years and it should keep for 15-20 years, if you're so inclined. Bravo.

Experience an exquisitely crafted French vintage with the Cros de la Mure Chateauneuf Du Pape Le Bois Pointu 2017. Hailing from the illustrious Rhone Valley, this red blend superbly exemplifies the region's laudable terroir. Each grape is harvested with meticulous care from the emblematic vineyards of Le Bois Pointu, committed to preserving the singular character of their wines. Within each bottle lies an intoxicating blend of robust Grenache, sophisticated Syrah, and elegant Mourvèdre, matured in French oak barrels for 12 months, imbuing the wine with rich complexity.

From the distinguished producer Cros de la Mure, celebrated for their dedication to environmental sustainability and top-notch vinification, this vintage excels in every sip. Revel in the harmony of its robust black fruit flavours, warm spice notes and a delicate undertone of earthy truffles. Share the Cros de la Mure Chateauneuf Du Pape Le Bois Pointu 2017 with discerning guests for an exceptional wine-drinking occasion. A consummate embodiment of fine French winemaking.

Decanter (97)

A particularly floral expression, with lavender and violets on the nose among the apricot fruit. Full-bodied, but still fluid on the palate, this has a real intensity and freshness, a sense of tension and minerality. Long finish that's not overburdened by oak. This has a sense of straightness and direction despite the breadth on the palate and open aromatic display. Very well balanced, finishing floral. Selection of parcels grown on biotite granite, vinified then aged nine months in barriques and foudres. Drinking Window 2021 - 2030

Vinous (95)

Opaque ruby. Smoke- and spice-accented dark berries, cherry preserves, bacon and licorice on the expansive nose. Offers lush and appealingly sweet black raspberry, blueberry, cola and allspice flavors that show excellent depth and pick up a subtle floral accent with aeration. Displays excellent clarity and mineral thrust on the wonderfully persistent finish, which features an intense blue fruit character and gently firming tannins.

Vinous (96)

Dark, shimmering magenta. Displays highly perfumed black and blue fruit aromas, along with hints of vanilla, potpourri, olive and smoky minerals. Densely packed cherry, blueberry and fruitcake flavors stretch out steadily with air while taking on a suggestion of exotic spices. The mineral note repeats firmly on the vibrant and impressively long finish, which is shaped by youthfully gripping tannins.