Legends of the Rhône
A Deep Dive Into Rhône Valley
13 Red & White wines from some of the Region’s Great Producers…
Yann Chave | Domaine Font de Courtedune | Domaine du Tunnel
Domaine Coursodon | Stephane Ogier | Domaine la Roubine | Domaine des Bosquets
… and the most famous Appellations:
Cornas | Gigondas | Crozes-Hermitage | Hermitage | Chateauneuf-du-Pape | St. Joseph
Monday February 24th
Hosted by Lachlan Cuffe, National Sales Manager at Beaune and Beyond Import
Masterclass: 5:30pm, 13 Wines with nibbles, $145
Dinner: 7:30pm, 13 Wines with 4 Courses, $255
About the Producers:
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Directly next-door to the famed Château Rayas, the wines of Font de Courtedune are hidden gems. Dominated by Grenache grown in sandy soils, these wines deftly channel Châteauneuf-du-Pape's legendary terroir delivering elegance and purity in the glass. Vigneron Caroline Charrier sees herself as a steward of the land, eschewing harsh farming practices in the vineyard and crafting her wines exclusively with whole-cluster fermentation and native yeasts. In the same vein, she relies primarily on neutral oak, crafting wines that are defined by vibrancy and purity - rather than the bold notes of new oak barrels. Josh Raynolds of Vinous has called previous releases "seamless and energetic.
Klwines.com
From the Decanter Article, Wall’s Hidden Gems:
…a domaine whose techniques have developed and evolved not through philosophy or ideals, but through local knowledge and practicality, whose processes were adapted to what equipment, grape varieties or soils were available at the time. The results are worth seeking out.
Matt Wall’s, Decanter (August 2022) -
I had the pleasure of visiting the dynamic Stéphane Robert at his tunnel winery in the hills of Saint-Péray. Roberl was accompanied by his son Luca, who currently studies at the Lycée Viticole in Beaune. Back in 1994, Robert established Domaine du Tunnel, commencing with 2.5 hectares of vineyards spanning Cornas, Saint-Péray and Saint-Joseph. In 2013, the domaine broadened its scope by adding vineyards in another AOC - Condrieu. Subsequently, in 2014, Stéphane underlook the restoration of an ancient tunnel in the Saint-Péray hills, transforming it into a facility for vinification and aging. Dating back to the early 20th century, this 170-meler-long cut-stone tunnel once served as a passage for a steam train connecting Valence lo Vernoux-en-Vivarais. The combined vineyards cover 12 hectares, distribuled across the municipalilies of Saint-Péray, Cornas, Glun, Mauves, Tournon-sur-Rhône and Chavanay. The cuvées predominantly derive from old vines siluated on hillsides or lerraces. Vineyard maintenance and grape harvesting are meliculously conduced by hand. Robert prefers one- lo three-year-old barrels for his Cornas and Saint-Joseph wines, although he may opt for various-sized new oak barrels depending on cuvée and vintage. While the 2021 vinlage presented fairly simple wine profiles, the 2022s show much more substance and complexily.
Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous (October 2023) -
“You can't go wrong with the Crozes Hermitage from Yann Chave”
Jeb Dunnuck
It was Yann's parents who started the adventure of the estate. They settled there at the very beginning of the seventies with four hectares: one in vines, the other three intended for arboriculture. Then they continued to expand the estate while maintaining this double culture that was characteristic of the time. The first harvests were delivered to the local trade and, from 1973, they vinified their first vintages and then joined the Cave Coopérative de Tain until 1978. The following year, Nicole and Bernard Chave created their own private cellar.In 1996, Yann was 26 years old. With a DESS in Audit and Management Consulting in his pocket and freed from military obligations, he settled on the wine-growing part of the estate. Close to his vineyard, he restructured his vines and began working the soil. After being poisoned by a treatment insecticide, he looked for an alternative solution and got involved in organic farming at the very beginning of the 2000s. The estate was certified in 2007. Today, the estate at the heart of the Crozes-Hermitage appellation is made up of 20 ha, including 1 ha 20 on the legendary Hermitage hill.
yannchave.com -
Top 10 Rhône Valley Producers in 2022
Decanter
“Julien Brechet took over the estate in 2006, and this up and coming superstar didn’t waste any time implementing his own ideas…Truthfully, sky is the limit at this fabulous estate.”
Jeb Dunnuck
“The New kid on the block in Gigondas”
James Moleswoth, Wine Spectator
“This estate has been brought up to the pinnacle of Gigondas, and the Southern Rhône, by the talent and drive of the young Julien Bréchet”
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
“Since Julien Brechet took control of his family’s 26-hectare estate in 2006, Domaine des Bosquets has been moving steadily, if not swiftly, up the Gigondas hierarchy, and in 2016 they produced not only some of the best wines of the appellation but of the entire southern Rhône.”
Josh Raynolds, Vinous
Domaine des Bosquets has deep historical roots in Gigondas. It was first mentioned as a vineyard site in 1376. In 1961 Gabriel Meffre discovered that Domaine des Bosquets was for sale. Motivated by its potential, its history and for his love of his wife Juliette who was a descendant of the Chauvet family, he purchased Domaine des Bosquets.
When Gabriel died in 1987, Domaine des Bosquets passed to his daughter Sylvette and her sons Laurent & Julien Brechet. Many of the vines that exist today at Domaine des Bosquets were planted by Gabriel and Juliette. When Gabriel died in 1987, Domaine des Bosquets passed to his daughter Sylvette and her sons Laurent & Julien Brechet. In 2010 Julien Brechet, Laurent’s younger brother, took charge of the property. With little in the way of technical training, Laurent sent him to Château de Pibarnon in Bandol to begin his aprenticeship before finishing his informal studies at Château de Vaudieu under Philippe Cambie. Under Julien, and assisted with a small staff of six employees, he has begun to map out his terroirs through careful studies and micro-vinifications. Rather than rob his Village Gigondas of its best parts, these parcel wines are only made in limited quantities. There are seven sites that Julien farms: Jasio, La Colline, Le Plateau, Les Bosquets, Roche, Les Routes, and Les Blânches. His 26 hectares are primarily located in Gigondas, with a few hectares in neighboring Beaumes-de-Venise and Sablet. The principal grape variety is Grenache (70%), with 20% Syrah, 8% Mourvèdre, and 2% Cinsault with tiny percentages of other permitted varieties, both red and white. His estate is now certified organic, a process he started in 2015, and he he’s begun implementing biodynamically practices. The average age of his vines is 50 years old.
europeancellars.com -
The story begins in 1990 when Eric Ughetto took over the family vineyards located in Gigondas. He was joined by Sophie in the late 90s and the two of them decided to make wine with their own grapes. The Area "La Roubine" was created in 2000 with its first vintage. Today the company is still a family run business; Eric works at the wine cellar, while Sophie manages both the cellar and the business. The couple also work together in the vineyards.
The field is located in Gigondas on the Southern Rhone Valley which is situated at the foothills of the large mountain range know as « Dentelles de Montmirail » (Montmirail laces). The land is partially located on the left bank of the river Ouveze and the AOC Gigondas is situated on the hillside at the foot of the Dentelles mountains, 300m above sea level; these vines require more care and attention but they also offer finer and more concentrated wine. The ground is clay and limestone, partly composed of stones debris.
The estate still remains small. If you add up family land with those that have been leased, it totals 15.5 hectares of vines under several names: Gigondas (5 ha), Vacqueyras (5 ha), Séguret (0.5 ha) and Sablet (5 ha).
The grape varieties you will find on these plots are of course the main varieties AOC which are Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, but also unusual (rare in French wines) AOC such as Cinsault and Counoise which help to create the wines distinct personality.
domainelaroubine.com -
The Coursodon vineyard produces exclusively red and white Saint-Joseph extending across 16 hectares, 13,5 for the red wines (syrah vine exclusively) and 2,5 for the white wines (marsanne and roussanne vines).
The vineyard is mainly located in Mauves, birthplace of the Saint-Joseph, on granitic ground, soil most favoured by the syrah vine. The rest of the property is situated on the communes of Glun, Tournon and Saint-Jean-of-Muzols.
domaine-coursodon.com
Arriving in the village of Mauves from the south, one first passes Domaine Pierre Gonon, then Jean-Louis Chave and finally Coursodon, all within a few hundred yards of each other. It's a stellar trio of vignerons to be sure, with Jerome Coursodon not at the same level of stardom as the others, but he's not too far behind, either. For consumers, it's a good opportunity to purchase some top-flight Saint-Josephs before price escalation sets in. Coursodon seems equally adept with white and red, making three cuvées of the former (including a Vin de France blend of Viognier and Roussanne) and four cuvées of the latter.
Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate (February 2020) -
It was in 1997 that Stéphane Ogier joined the family estate, rooted for seven generations on the hillsides of Ampuis. By taking over from his father Michel, he chose to carry out precise work on its different terroirs in order to reveal the unique character of these places full of history.
Over the years, the estate has gone beyond the limits of the village with the desire to discover and enhance new terroirs. From his experience in Burgundy, Stéphane Ogier retains the taste for elegance and finesse, which has become characteristic of his wines. Each year, the winemaker strives to vinify the plots separately, to bring out the best of their potential. The blends are adjusted according to the vintages, like so many stories to tell around his vintages.
stephaneogier.fr
Stéphane Ogier represents the seventh generation of his family in Ampuis. Ogier has laken the M & 5 Ogier d'Ampuis estale, established by his father, Michel, in 1983, to impressive heights. Afler attending viticultural school in Beaune (a popular alma mater for young winemakers in the region), Sléphane came on board in 1997. What started as, literally, a garage winery where 12,000 lo 15,000 bottles were produced is now housed down the road in a spacious, stale-ol-the-arl facilily where over 300,000 bottles are issued. Ambitious for sure, but the demand is there. So much so that Ogier is comforlable slowing down the releases of his Côle-Rôties to allow the wines to acquire more bottle age, which is always a good thing, even if it's just for a lew years,' he said
Josh Raynolds, Vinous (December 2022)
The Wine List and Menu
Domaine Coursodon 'Silice' Marsanne 2023, Our Price $ 82
Domaine Coursodon 'Etincelle' Viognier 2021, Our Price $54
An interesting combination of violet and aniseed, with a great sense of aromatic freshness. Light- to medium-bodied, this is very fresh on the palate too. It finishes on white flowers and apricot, and a flinty reductive note. It's an unusual blend for the northern Rhône, but this works well. Drink young. Fermented and aged in stainless steel, the vineyards are near Mauves, just outside of the St-Joseph appellation.
91 Points Matt Walls, Decanter (September 2022)
Stephane Ogier 'Les Vieilles Vignes de Jacques Vernay' Condrieu 2019, Our Price $201
A lush and seductive version, with warm apple, peach and ripe apricot flavors woven with notes of white tea, verbena and dried hay. Honeyed and round on the juicy palate, with the richness nicely held in check by bitter pithy acidity and mineral hints. The long finish is marked by a salted butter note.
95 Points Kristen Bieler, Wine Spectator (September 2022)
Heirloom tomatoes, stracciatella, basil
Ogier 'La Rosine' Syrah 2021 (Baby Cote-Rotie) , Our Price $66
Domaine Coursodon Saint Joseph Silice 2022, Our Price $80
A well-balanced, textured and precise Saint-Joseph showing notes of dark cherries, crushed raspberries, roasted meat and some peppercorns on the nose. It’s medium-bodied with fine tannins. Bright center-palate, pure and crunchy, with juicy dark cherry character. Elegant, yet it has intensity and vitality with a precise, vivid finish and excellent length. Drink or hold.
93 Points James Suckling (April 2024)
Domaine du Tunnell Saint-Joseph Syrah 2022, Our Price $113
A juicy, precise and well-driven red with notes of dark cherries, blueberries, wild herbs and mixed spices. Medium-bodied with fine tannins. Juicy at the center with plenty of crushed cherry character and a vivid core of peppercorns bringing good energy and verve. Focused finish with a spicy kick.
92 Points James Suckling (April 2024)
Yann Chave Crozes Hermitage Le Rouvre 2022, Our Price $107
An amazing Crozes-Hermitage. Very complex nose with notes of candied bitter oranges, mulberries and hot dry earth. Serious concentration for this appellation, plus a stack of fine tannins that exactly balance the finely nuanced forest berries and citrus fruit. Super-long very polished finish. Drink or hold.
95 Points Stuart Piggot, jamessuckling.com (April 2024)
Seared salmon, taramasalata, salmon pearls
Domaine Font de Courtedune Chateauneuf du Pape 2021, Our Price $92
Introverted for now, but there's an underlying slightly stemmy, herbal note that suggests interest to come. Has volume on the palate if no great concentration. Good acidity, but not depth. The balance is good, there's freshness.
90 Points Matt Walls, Decanter (October 2022)
Domaine la Roubine Gigondas 2022, Our Price $66
Oodles of kirsch, violets and peppercorns, with just an edge of verdant herb, attesting to the altitude of the site and the cooler, more challenging vintage. This is still rather tightly furled and distinctly medium-bodied of feel, revealing little but puppy fat. The tenacity in the finish and energy, however, suggest that plenty is to come. From organically grown grapes.
93 Points James Suckling (December 2023)
Domaine des Bosquets Gigondas Reserve 2022, Our Price $78
An utterly classic Gigondas, the 2022 Gigondas Reserve just about jumps out of the glass with its spicy red and black fruits as well as chalky, mineral, pepper, and wildflower-like aromas and flavors. It's a rich, medium to full-bodied, ripe, sexy 2022 offering ample tannins, a balanced, elegant mouthfeel, and outstanding length.
93 Points Jeb Dunnuck (December 2024)
Roast chicken, mushroom, tarragon butter, petit greens
Domaine des Bosquets Gigondas 'Le Regard Loin' 2022, Our Price $378
Based on 50% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, and the rest Syrah, the tiny production 2022 Gigondas Le Regard Loin is gorgeous, and I think it’s the standout in the lineup. Black raspberries, ground pepper, sappy flowers, and spice are just some of its nuances, and it's just about perfect on the palate, with full-bodied richness, a round, layered mouthfeel, and ultra-fine tannins. I love it today, but this beauty will cruise for two decades.
98 Points Jeb Dunnuck (December 2024)
Domaine du Tunnell Cornas Syrah 2022, Our Price $149
A well-balanced, velvety and well-rounded Cornas with aromas of wild berries, wild herbs and baking spices. It's medium-bodied with fine tannins. Balanced with a seductive core of succulent berries and a well-integrated structure of tannins on the palate. Focused and vivid, with some more peppercorns toward the finish.
93 Points James Suckling (April 2024)
Yann Chave Hermitage 2022, Our Price $392
An impressive wine, broad, textural and layered, with such brightness at the center. Dark cherries, blueberries, violets, grilled meat, dried herbs, ashes and warm spices on the nose. It’s full-bodied with finely grained tannins. There is a brightness at the center, with crunchy blue fruit and violets mingling with the spices under the watch of a solid frame of finely grained tannins. Structured and harmonious on the broad, dense, textural and focused palate. Such intensity and drive, always in control and with a very refined texture. So much depth and layers funneling trough a vibrant, spicy, flavorful and very long finish. From organically grown grapes.
98 Points James Suckling (April 2024)