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$27.95
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RR 95
RP 94
France
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Rhone
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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95 points Rhone Report: "Profound stuff that will stand toe to toe with anything coming out of the Rhône valley, the 2010 Domaine les Aphillanthes Côtes du Rhône Villages Rasteau 1921 is a blend of close to 95% Grenache that comes from incredibly low yields of 7 hl/ha and ancient vines planted in 1921. Easily the greatest wine I have tasted from this estate, it delivers a knockout bouquet of ganache-covered blackberry and cassis styled fruit that is intermixed with notions of hot stones, leather, graphite, licorice, and roasted herbs. Gorgeously rich and decadent, with a full-bodied, powerful mouth feel that stays light, elegant, and fresh, this blockbuster Rasteau is beautifully concentration, structured, and has a heady, very long finish. It should be given 2-3 years of bottle age, and then consumed over the following decade or more. (Sep 2012)"
94 points Robert Parker: "A blockbuster offering is the 2010 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Rasteau 1921, which was made from yields of 17 hectoliters per hectare and aged in both concrete tanks and 600-liter demi-muids. Composed of 90% Grenache and the rest a kitchen sink blend, it exhibits an opaque purple color along with abundant floral notes intermixed with notions of white chocolate, charcoal, scorched earth, blackberries and black currants. It reveals a superb, full-bodied, layered, broad, expansive mouthfeel, terrific intensity and a heady finish. Drink this beauty over the next 10-15+ years. (Oct 2012)"
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$42.95
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RR 96
IWC 94
RP 92–94
France
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Rhone
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Chateauneuf-du-Pape
In stock, 12+ available
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List $60.00
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5 stars, 19.5/20 points, Decanter: "A mix of 1989 and '90; a muscular wine with grip, will become gracious. Curvier than 2009. Drink: 2016-2039. (May 2012)"
96 points Rhone Report: "[$120/750ml list] Showing consistently with the barrel review, the 2010 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape (30% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah, 10% Counoise, and the remainder an assortment of varieties) is a classic Beaucastel that has both richness and elegance. Showing loads of black cherry, new leather, licorice, pepper, and hints of flowers on the nose, this full-bodied, structured, yet surprisingly elegant and polished 2010 has fantastic purity of fruit, superb balance, and knockout length. Showing more and more structure with air, this needs 3-5 years of bottle age, and should evolve gracefully for upwards of two decades or more. (Sep 2012)"
94 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "[$120/750ml list] Bright ruby. Sexy, spice- and mineral-accented aromas of red and dark fruit preserves and garrigue. Juicy and expansive on the palate, offering vibrant black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors, a hint of smokiness and intense minerality. Tannins come on late and are quickly sucked up by this wine's intense fruit. Rich and lively, with excellent finishing clarity and length. (Jan/Feb 2013)"
92-94+ points Robert Parker: "The Chateau Beaucastel 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape is a classic blend of 30% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah, 10% Counoise and the balance other permitted varietals. Surprisingly ripe and soft with a dense ruby/purple color as well as lots of blueberry, scorched earth and blackberry notes intermixed with hints of roast beef and bouquet garni, this wine has structure, but the fruit dominates at present. By the standards of most top vintages of Beaucastel, this cuvee will be drinkable earlier than the normal ten years. I suspect it will put on more weight, so give it 5-6 years of cellaring and drink it over the following three decades. (Oct 2011)"
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$44.95
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RR 96
RP 93–96
IWC 92
France
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Rhone
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Chateauneuf-du-Pape
In stock, 12+ available
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96 points Rhone Report: "Even better, and to quote owner Vincent Maurel, a wine that 'doesn't suck', the 2010 Clos Saint Jean Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes is spectacular stuff! Showing more garrigue, licorice, and roasted herb qualities than the traditional cuvee, as well as layers of red and black fruits, roasted meat, and herbs de Provence aromas and flavors, this full-bodied, thrillingly put together 2010 has no hard edges, a decadent, seamless texture, and incredible length. Despite the overall size and texture, it still carries a fresh, light, and elegant feel, with noticeable and age-worthy structure. Back up the truck if you have one as this is a rock star value that should not be missed! Enjoy bottles over the coming 15+ years. (Sep 2012)"
93-96 points Robert Parker: "The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes, which is only available in the United States, is fashioned from Grenache vines planted in 1905, and is aged in both tank and small barrels. It exhibits a dense ruby/purple hue along with notes of licorice, kirsch liqueur, earth, truffles, forest floor, underbrush, raspberry, licorice and graphite. Full-bodied, powerful and rich, it should age effortlessly for 15-20 years. (Oct 2011)"
92 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "(virtually all grenache, from vines that were planted just after 1900, according to the Maurels; this bottling is designated for export exclusively to the U.S.): Saturated ruby. Sexy, highly perfumed aromas of red berry liqueur, cherry and licorice, with a powerful floral topnote. Sappy and deeply concentrated, offering palate-staining black raspberry and spicecake flavors and an exotic suggestion of candied flowers. The long finish closes on a floral note, with silky tannins adding shape. (Jan/Feb 2013)"
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$49.95
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RR 95
RP 94
IWC 92
France
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Rhone
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Chateauneuf-du-Pape
In stock, 12+ available
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List $68.00
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95 points Rhone Report: "Showing brilliantly from tank last year, and not disappointing from bottle this year, the 2010 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a stunning bottle of wine! A blend of 80% Grenache and equal parts Syrah and Mourvedre, its opaque purple color is followed by knockout aromas of blackberry liqueur, flower oil, liquid mineral, licorice, and graphite. Not losing a beat on the palate either, with a full-bodied, structured, and edgy feel, as well as brilliant purity of fruit, this serious, age-worthy effort needs a handful of years in the cellar, and has 15-20 years or more of total longevity. While the chase will be on for the Cuvée Chaupin and Vieilles Vignes bottlings, do not overlook this wine! (Sep 2012)"
94 points Robert Parker: "The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape is the most widely available (nearly 30,000+ bottles produced even in a small vintage such as 2010) of Janasse’s Chateauneufs. It exhibits a dense purple color along with a glorious perfume of blackberries, creosote, scorched earth, smoked herbs, cassis and kirsch. Full-bodied with impressive purity, structure and precision, this is a more reserved, backward and structured effort than its 2009 and 2007 counterparts. (Oct 2012)"
92 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "[$68 list] Dark purple. Aromas and flavors of cherry compote, black raspberry and candied flowers. Densely packed but lithe and precise, with gentle tannins sneaking in on the finish. Showing noteworthy richness and power for an entry-level bottling, with the concentration to age slowly. (Jan/Feb 2013)"
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$29.95
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RR 96
RP 93
IWC 93
France
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Rhone
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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List $42.00
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96 points Rhone Report: "Always the most elegant of the three Gigondas cuvees, the 2010 Domaine Saint-Damien Gigondas La Louisiane (80% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre, and the balance a mix of Cinsault and Syrah) boasts perfumed floral, rolled stone minerality, and violet characteristics intermixed with notes of garrigue, mint, and ripe Grenache-driven fruit on the nose. This full-bodied, structured, and mouth filling 2010 has a seamless, poised texture, brilliant concentration, and a firm, tannic core. It should be cellared for a handful of years, and will be long lived. (Sep 2012)"
93 points Robert Parker: "[$42 list] The 2010 Gigondas La Louisiane is a 525-case offering fashioned from 65-year-old vines grown in decomposed red clay and gravel. It is also a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvedre aged in foudre for 14 months prior to being bottled without fining or filtration. It offers sensational notes of blueberry liqueur intermixed with kirsch, mulberries, licorice and lavender. Full-bodied and sexy with good acidity as well as sweet, well-integrated tannins, this beautiful, virginal (because of the biodynamic farming and lack of any new oak aging) red should drink nicely for 10-15 years. (Oct 2012)"
93 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "Saturated ruby. Exotic aromas of black and blue fruits, incense and potpourri, with a spicy topnote. Juicy and expansive on the palate, offering intense cassis and cherry compote flavors and bracing acidity. Rich, vivacious, finishing sweet, silky and very long. (Jan/Feb 2013)"
92 points Wine Spectator: "An inviting, perfumy style, with linzer torte and blackberry confiture aromas and flavors lined with notes of black tea, pastis-soaked plum and violet. There's ample grip, but it's fine-grained and well-embedded through the finish. Best from 2013 through 2023. 200 cases imported. (10/15/12)"
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$34.95
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RR 98
RP 94
IWC 93
France
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Rhone
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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List $45.00
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98 points Rhone Report: "My favorite of the Gigondas lineup, the blockbuster 2010 Domaine Saint-Damien Gigondas Les Souteyrades (80% Grenache and 20% Mourvedre aged all in tank) is wildly perfumed and aromatic, as well as incredibly full-bodied, rich, and concentrated. Showing thrilling notes of wild herbs, orange peel, garrigue, exotic flowers, and layers of ripe fruit, this hedonistic, yet gorgeously proportioned 2010 has massive fruit, awesome freshness and focus, and a firm, tannic core. No doubt it is a superb drink now, but it will be even better in 2-3 years, and evolve gracefully for two decades. (Sep 2012)"
94 points Robert Parker: "[$45 list] A 1,000-case offering from gray clay soils, the 2010 Gigondas Les Souteyrades is also made from 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvedre from 65-year-old vines. It represents what Saurel believes is his finest parcel of old vines. This cuvee is always the richest and fullest of this trio of Gigondas, and it can also contain more truffle, herbs, tannin and structure. A complex, intricate Gigondas, it offers a terrific perfume of truffles, forest floor, acacia flowers, and lots of black and red fruits. It hits the palate with a deep, expansive, round, full-bodied mouthfeel, and finishes long. This 2010 is capable of drinking well for 12-15+ years. Bravo! (Oct 2012)"
93 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "Vivid ruby. An exotically perfumed bouquet evokes candied blackberry and cherry, with a suave floral element gaining power in the glass. Deeply concentrated but lively, with excellent clarity to its sappy dark fruit flavors. Bright acidity adds lift and cut to a long, floral-dominated finish. (Jan/Feb 2013)"
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