Rhône

The website for Château de Beaucastel can be found at http://www.beaucastel.com

Michel Faraud and his daughters Delphine, Cendrine and Roseline produce just one wine from their 14 hectares of vines – and it is surely one of the most outstanding wines of the village of Gigondas.  Everything is done the old way – most particularly the pressing (the old vertical press is still very much in use) and the ageing in large oak foudres (although those more than 50 years old are finally being replaced with new ones).

M. Chapoutier is one of the greatest producers in the entire Rhône valley, and indeed this esteemed house regularly makes wines which compete with the best made anywhere in the world. Chapoutier’s wines consistently achieve an exceptional degree of terroir expression along with compelling richness and finesse; the result of outstanding old-vine vineyard sites producing tiny yields of exceptional fruit (in a typical year production ranges between only 100-700 cases of each of the famous 'Sélections Parcellaires'), combined with the expert application of biodynamic techniques in the vineyard and highly skilled, highly sensitive winemaking. Every wine is a triumph.

Laurent Charvin owns this 23 hectare estate in the heart of Châteauneuf du Pape, between Maucoil and Mont Redon.  He has 8 hectares of Châteauneuf, and a further 13 hectares of vines just beyond the appellation’s limits, classified as Côtes du Rhône.  The vineyards are planted with approximately 80% of Grenache and 20% of Syrah.  One of the most famous of the region’s small producers, with a reputation for quality established by his outstanding Châteauneuf, it should come as little surprise that the Côtes du Rhône, made mainly from very old Grenache vines, is a wine of real class.

We have known the Garons since they began bottling their own production in the early 1990s.  Prior to that, they sold their wine in barrel to Guigal.  Their sons Fabien and Kévin are now fully involved in the running of the domaine: young, enthusiastic and intelligent, it is clear that this small domaine is in extremely capable hands.  80% of the grapes are destemmed (this since 2006 vintage), giving wines of wonderful softness and purity of fruit. This is an outstanding source of very fine Côte Rôtie.

The website for Domaine Clos des Papes can be found at http://www.clos-des-papes.fr

René’s son Pierre is beginning to spend more of his time at the domaine, working alongside his father to ensure the continuity of style and quality.  One of the very greatest producers of Côte Rôtie, we are extremely privileged to receive an allocation of these outstanding wines.  René is a true craftsman, with a skill to fashion some of the most subtle wines of the appellation.  In old age, they take on an almost Burgundian aspect, such is their elegance and refinement.

Jean Versino founded this domaine in 1955, and his son, Jean-Paul, has built on his father’s work, establishing a name for himself as one of the best producers in Châteauneuf.  There are many different parcels of vines - some 27 in all - covering the four main grape varieties (Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Cinsault), as well as the many differing terroirs of the appellation.  They add up to about 16 hectares in total, with the whole production aged in oak, mostly very large foudres, from which the wine is bottled after 18 months to 2 years ageing.

Alain Voge joined his father at this small family domaine with its cellars in Cornas in 1958, and he is still very much involved.  Day to day running and winemaking is today handled by Alberic Mazoyer, to whom Alain sold a share of the domaine some years ago.  There are now 12 hectares of vines across the appellations of St Péray, St Joseph and Cornas, with the three cuvées of Cornas being particularly sought after as among the finest produced in the appellation.

M. Chapoutier is one of the greatest producers in the entire Rhône valley, and indeed this esteemed house regularly makes wines which compete with the best made anywhere in the world. Chapoutier’s wines consistently achieve an exceptional degree of terroir expression along with compelling richness and finesse; the result of outstanding old-vine vineyard sites producing tiny yields of exceptional fruit (in a typical year production ranges between only 100-700 cases of each of the famous 'Sélections Parcellaires'), combined with the expert application of biodynamic techniques in the vineyard and highly skilled, highly sensitive winemaking. Every wine is a triumph.

The Viales own this family domaine which grows apricots and cherries as well as grapes.  The wines are made by Florent Viale, while his brother David, is primarily responsible for the fruit growing and their father Gaby keeps a watchful eye from semi-retirement.  It is the brothers’ complementary skills that are the key to the exceptional quality at this domaine as the quality of fruit produced in the vineyards is absolutely first class.

We have known the Garons since they began bottling their own production in the early 1990s.  Prior to that, they sold their wine in barrel to Guigal.  Their sons Fabien and Kévin are now fully involved in the running of the domaine: young, enthusiastic and intelligent, it is clear that this small domaine is in extremely capable hands.  80% of the grapes are destemmed (this since 2006 vintage), giving wines of wonderful softness and purity of fruit. This is an outstanding source of very fine Côte Rôtie.

The website for Domaine Clos des Papes can be found at http://www.clos-des-papes.fr

As well as the great Château de Beaucastel – probably Châteauneuf’s most famous property – the Perrins own vineyards in a number of appellations, and make wine as négociants from many more.  As you might expect, this is an extremely reliable source of beautifully made wines.

Alain Voge joined his father at this small family domaine with its cellars in Cornas in 1958, and he is still very much involved.  Day to day running and winemaking is today handled by Alberic Mazoyer, to whom Alain sold a share of the domaine some years ago.  There are now 12 hectares of vines across the appellations of St Péray, St Joseph and Cornas, with the three cuvées of Cornas being particularly sought after as among the finest produced in the appellation.