Wine Advocate (94-96)

The 2019 Gigondas La Louisiane hails from a south-facing slope of clay and sand and is a blend of 80% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre and 5% Syrah and Cinsault, all aged in foudre. Loaded with black cherries and mixed berries, it's a big, full-bodied effort that drinks surprisingly well already yet has the concentration, length and structure that should enable it to age another 15 years or more.

Jeb Dunnuck (94-96)

Also showing considerable elegance, the 2019 Gigondas Les Souteyrades sports a ruby/purple hue to go with beautiful and exotic notes of black raspberries, kirsch, candied orange, violets, and peppery garrigue. Beautifully balanced, medium to full-bodied, and downright silky on the palate, this heavenly Grenache should be snatched up by readers. It's going to keep for 15 years.

Vinous (93)

Glass-staining magenta. Deeply perfumed black raspberry, boysenberry and floral aromas pick up a peppery note with aeration. Juicy and seamless in the mouth, it offers concentrated red berry, cherry-cola spicecake and botanical herb flavors that turn sweeter as the wine opens up. The spice and floral notes linger on a long, subtly chewy finish that features well-knit tannins and a repeating red fruit note.

The Sang des Cailloux Vacqueyras Oumage 2019 presents a remarkable vinous experience hailing from Southern Rhône, the heart of the French viticultural landscape. This delectable red blend is meticulously crafted by the well-regarded producer, Sang des Cailloux, renowned for its remarkable wines since 1970. Embodying the distinctive terroir of its Vacqueyras appellation, it's a celebration of Grenache grapes, with a dash of Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault that thrive on the organic, limestone-rich soils of the vineyard. No stone is left unturned as each berry is hand-harvested to perpetuate the essence of bio-dynamic viticulture.

This 2019 vintage reveals a profusion of concentrated red fruit and spice on the nose, underlined by a subtle earthy nuance. On the palate, the Sang des Cailloux Vacqueyras Oumage 2019 unveils a precise balance between its robust tannins and vivacious acidity, rounded off by a lasting finish. A testament to the finesse of Vacqueyras wines.

Embark on an experience of refined indulgence with the Solitude Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve Secrete 2019 - a testament to the timeless excellence of French viticulture. Exquisitely crafted in the renowned vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the wine encapsulates over eight centuries of winemaking tradition by the Lançon family. This divine nectar, a blend of Grenache and Syrah, boasts maturation in oak casks for over a year, refining its already spectacular character.

Deep ruby in colour, its vibrant aroma reveals hints of black cherries, spices and blackcurrant. The palate is a captivating symphony of rich plum and raspberry notes, complemented by undertones of bitter chocolate and liquorice. Its sublime finish lingers to enrapture the senses. Enjoy the Solitude Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve Secrete 2019 for a statement of true taste sophistication.

Expertly selected from the finest grapes, the Solitude Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve Secrete 2019 stands as a distinctive emblem of French luxury.

Vinous (96)

Opaque violet color. Intense dark berry, potpourri and olive paste aromas are energized by building mineral and cracked pepper flourishes. Stains the palate with appealingly sweet black and blue fruit, cola, candied violet and spicecake flavors that show a suave blend of depth and energy. Finishes on an emphatic blue fruit note, showing sharp definition, well-knit tannins and resonating florality.

Vinous (98)

Glass-staining violet. Heady, mineral-accented black and blue fruits, candied licorice, potpourri, exotic spices and olive scents on the intensely perfumed nose. Pliant, sweet and penetrating on the palate, offering deeply concentrated blackberry, cassis, fruitcake, smoky bacon and floral pastille flavors that are underscored by a vein of juicy acidity. Shows superb depth as well as liveliness and finishes wonderfully long and minerally, with resonating florality and polished tannins adding shape and a firming grip.

Introducing the illustrious Tourbillon Chateauneuf-du-Pape 1947 2019, a stellar embodiment of traditional winemaking artistry. This Châteauneuf-du-Pape, painstakingly crafted in the historic wineries of Domaine Tourbillon, beckons the discerning palates with a symphony of intricate flavours. Cradled in the heart of the Southern Rhône Valley, these vineyards have, for generations, nurtured the emblematic Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah grapes using sustainable viticulture.

Typifying superb craftsmanship, the 2019 vintage masterfully melds power and elegance. The wine tantalises taste buds with robust red fruit notes, subtly infused with exotic spices. Its velvety tannins, enhanced by strategic 18-month oak barrel ageing, promise a lingering, poised finish. The wine’s remarkable balance and complexity bear testimony to Domaine Tourbillon's commitment to producing outstanding wines. Experience the lure of refined opulence with the Tourbillon Chateauneuf-du-Pape 1947 2019 – an unprecedented vinous journey.

The Wine Cellar Insider (99)

Make no mistake, this is off the hook! Deep in color, the wine pops with its array of kirsch, black pepper, black cherry, spice, herbs, plum and thyme on the nose. From there the wine coats your palate with layers of opulently textured, silky red fruits with a gorgeous sense of purity and refinement. The wine is made from 100% old vine, Grenache planted in sandy soils not too far from Chateau Rayas.

Jeb Dunnuck (95-97)

The smaller production 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Val De Dieu is close to 60% Grenache blended with 30% Syrah and 12% Mourvèdre. This is always the most modern styled cuvée from this great estate, and it’s aged in 70% demi-muids and 30% new barrels. Its deep purple color is followed by a gorgeous bouquet of cassis and black raspberry fruits intermixed with notes of new leather, graphite, spice, and peppery garrigue. Its oak is beautifully integrated, it’s full-bodied, has a terrific mid-palate, and a great, great finish. It’s probably not for the staunch traditionalist out there but is just a brilliant Châteauneuf du Pape in the making. It’s going to evolve for 15+ years.

Jeb Dunnuck (93-95)

Coming from the plateau in the center of the appellation and 90% Grenache and 10% Mourvèdre, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Piedlong boasts a more ruby/translucent color to go with feminine, perfumed notes of wild strawberries, loamy soil, herbes de Provence, and peppery garrigue. Playing in the medium to full-bodied end of the spectrum, it has terrific overall balance, some grainy, present tannins, and a great finish. This is another terrific 2019 in the making that’s going to benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and keep for 10-15 years.

Jeb Dunnuck (96-98)

Looking at the flagship 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape from this benchmark estate, it reveals a denser ruby/purple color as well as stunning notes of smoked red and black fruits, crushed rocks, peppery garrigue, and truffly earth. Hitting the palate with full-bodied richness, it stays tight and compact on the palate, with terrific mid-palate depth, a focused, structured mouthfeel, and one great finish. This is a brilliant Châteauneuf du Pape from the Brunier family that’s going to benefit from upwards of 5-7 years of bottle age and have 30+ years of overall longevity.

Jeb Dunnuck (95)

One of my favorite whites from the south of France is Daniel Brunier’s Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc and his 2019 is another stunning effort. Always a blend of Clairette, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, and Bourboulenc brought up in foudre, this beauty boasts an exotic nose of honeyed peach, quince, crushed citrus, and salty minerality, all with a floral edge. Medium to full-bodied on the palate with flawless balance and beautifully integrated acidity, enjoy this concentrated white anytime over the coming 15-20 years.

Vinous (93)

Deep ruby. Spice-accented aromas of blackberry, violet and smoky minerals, with a hint of olive in the background. Concentrated yet lively on the palate, offering pliant dark berry, floral pastille and cracked pepper flavors and a salty touch of olive paste. Fleshes out steadily with air and shows fine clarity and appealing sweetness on the long, gently tannic finish. All de-stemmed fruit and no new oak.

Vinous (94)

Opaque violet color. Highly fragrant cherry and dark berry preserve and olive aromas show outstanding clarity and are complemented by smoky mineral and spice accents. Deeply pitched blackcurrant and bitter cherry flavors convey a suave blend of power and finesse; a pastille flourish adds complexity. Shows impressive energy and mineral thrust on an impressively long, youthfully tannic finish that leaves behind notes of candied flowers and juicy dark berries. One-third whole clusters this vintage.

Vinous (96)

Inky ruby color. Highly perfumed scents of dark berry preserves, incense and licorice are complemented by suave floral and exotic spice overtones. Fleshy and expansive on the palate, offering deeply concentrated blackberry, cherry-cola and fruitcake flavors that become more lively with aeration. This rich yet vibrant Cornas finishes extremely long and youthfully chewy, with building tannins, resonating florality and lingering sweetness. All whole clusters and neutral oak.

Vinous (93)

Saturated magenta. Displays spice-accented kirsch, blackberry, olive and baking spice aromas, along with suggestions of cured tobacco and olive. Juicy, focused and energetic on the palate, offering appealingly sweet cassis, cherry-cola, licorice and spicecake flavors that steadily deepen through the back half. Smooth, even tannins frame a long, lively finish that's given shape by fine-grained tannins.

Vinous (92)

Deep violet color. Spice-tinged aromas of cherry, blueberry and smoky minerals are complemented by subtle floral and olive notes. Fleshy and appealingly sweet, offering juicy dark berry and candied lavender flavors that display very good concentration and spicy back-end lift. Supple and broad on the spicy finish, with discreet tannins lending shape and subtle grip. All de-stemmed fruit and all stainless steel.

Decanter (96)

Glass-staining purple colour. Incredibly powerful with searching perfume, leaf tea and glove leather behind the intense black fruits. Very fine and deep, perhaps just a touch too high in alcohol, a little overextracted. Phenomenal concentration and length however. A growling, brooding power, this could only be Hermitage. From vines of nearly 50 years of age grown organically on lieux-dits Beaumes and Péléat, matured in demi-muids with malolactic fermentation in barrel.

Vinous (97)

Saturated ruby color. Displays an array of ripe black and blue fruit and floral aromas that are accompanied by suggestions of sandalwood, candied flowers and exotic spices. Broad and fleshy but energetic as well, offering palate-staining, spice-accented blueberry, cherry-cola, salty olive and candied violet flavors that show excellent clarity. Lingers with superb tenacity and youthful tannic grip, leaving hints of smoky minerals and dark berry preserves behind.