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$13.95
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RR 92
France
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Rhone
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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List $16.00
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92 points Rhone Report: "[$16 list] Made from a blend of 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah, from 80+ year vines, that is aged for 6 months in concrete tank, the 2011 Michel Gassier Cercius is a lush, decadent offering that delivers loads of black raspberry and blackberry styled fruit that is intermixed with notions of licorice, rolled stone, roasted garrigue, and hints of leather on the nose. Layered, fresh, and beautifully textured, with a full-bodied, rich feel in the mouth that never seems heavy, this absolutely knockout Côtes du Rhône is a candidate for a multi-case purchase, and will deliver the goods for 4-6 years. Do not let the price tag fool you, this is a gorgeous wine that will stand up to any number of more prestigious and expensive bottlings. (Sep 2012)"
Producer notes: "Cercius is a profound ruby color. The nose is intense and complex, with aromas of dark berries, licorice, and garrigue herbs. Opulent and velvety, without being heavy, this wine's fruity finish has an aerial expression of ripe tannins. Pairs well with various meats and cheeses including wine-braised beef, raviolis with cepe mushrooms, roasted duck, veal chops with radicchio, white beans, grilled leg of lamb with thyme and allspice, brie, and for the more adventurous, epoisses, livarot, maroilles, or munster. Alcohol 14.5%."
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$585.00
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RP 98
WS 97
IWC 94
France
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Rhone
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Hermitage/Crozes-Hermitage
In stock,
3
available
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List $760.00
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98 points Robert Parker: "There are nearly 1,000 cases of the 2006 Ermitage l’Ermite, another candidate for perfection in a few years. It boasts an inky/ruby/purple color as well as a stunning bouquet reminiscent of a grand cru Musigny from Burgundy. Spring flower, crushed rock, black raspberry, and black currant scents dominate the aromatics of this incredibly pure, full-bodied wine. With laser-like precision and enormous extract and concentration, it comes across as remarkably elegant and fresh with crystal clear focus. A beautiful tour de force from the decomposed granitic soils of this site on the top of the Hermitage mountain, this amazing wine requires a decade of cellaring, and should last for 35 years. (Apr 2009)"
97 points Wine Spectator: "[$380/750ml list] This Northern Rhône red is tightly wound, but also supersleek and racy, with a terrific beam of blackberry and raspberry ganache pushed by graphite, iron and violet notes. Long and extremely precise, with a terrific mouthwatering undertow. Best from 2010 through 2026. 955 cases made. (6/15/09)"
94 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "Full ruby. A roomfilling bouquet of fresh red and dark berry scents, along with smoked meat, violet, incense and minerals. Wonderfully fresh in the mouth, with vibrant raspberry and black cherry flavors. Gentle tannins rein in the expansive fruit without standing in its way. The finish is all about fruit, with late-arriving notes of black olive and smoky minerals. Extremely sexy now but balanced to age." Organic/biodynamic since 1991 (certified by Biodyvin/Demeter).
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$54.95
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IWC 90
France
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Rhone
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Cote Rotie
In stock,
10
available
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90 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "Bright red. Spicy blackcurrant and licorice aromas are complemented by potpourri and smoky minerals and perked up by a hint of black pepper. Deep in dark fruit flavor but in no way heavy, with silky tannins adding support. Gains power on the back end and finishes with lingering notes of kirsch and dark berries. (Jan/Feb 2010)"
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$26.95
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France
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Rhone
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Hermitage/Crozes-Hermitage
In stock, 12+ available
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List $36.00
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Importer notes: "Deep ruby color. Concentrated raspberry, pepper and violet aromas. Medium to full-body, with a supple texture and good acidic structure. Lovely pure Syrah flavors from the Northern Rhône."
2009 vintage rated 18/20 points by Gault & Millau: "One of the most successful efforts from Crozes-Hermitage. Remarkably precise tension between the florality, the concentration (generous but no heavy), and enhanced by smoke and tapenade, with a hint of soot and pencil lead. The fruit is present, dark and firm, followed by a beautiful bunch of flowers. Nose: fruity, woody, floral, spicy. Palate: Red velvet, fleshy. Food pairing: robust cheeses, roasted or braised red meats. Alcohol 12.5%. Drink: up to 2018."
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$39.95
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RP 91
IWC 91
France
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Rhone
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Hermitage/Crozes-Hermitage
In stock, 12+ available
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List $50.00
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91 points Robert Parker: "A more powerful, intense, layered effort, the 2010 Crozes-Hermitage Clos des Grives exhibits an inky/ruby/purple hue along with notes of pen ink, licorice, camphor, black currants and bouquet garni. Sexy and full-bodied with light to moderate tannin, it is already appealing, but with another year or two of bottle age, it will be even better. It should easily age for a decade, perhaps longer. (Dec 2012)"
91 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "[$50 list] Opaque ruby. A heady, complex bouquet of red and dark berry preserves, incense and cola, with subtle vanilla and black pepper accents emerging with air. On the palate, suave black raspberry and boysenberry flavors and a touch of candied violet, lifted by juicy acidity. Gentle tannins add grip to a long, spice- and smoke-accented finish that echoes the violet note. (Mar/Apr 2013)"
Importer notes: "Opaque color. Wonderful nose combines black fruits, violet, pepper, spice, vanilla and a touch of smoke. New oak flavors lift the wine well. Dense and long. Almost more Hermitage than Crozes."
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$11.95
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WS 88
RR 87
France
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Rhone
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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List $17.00
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88 points Wine Spectator: "Round and juicy, with a jammy hint to plum, red currant and blackberry fruit flavors that are laid over a licorice-filled finish. Drink now. 200 cases imported. (2009)"
87 points Rhone Report: "An even split of Grenache and Syrah, the 2007 Domaine Constant-Duquesnoy Cotes du Rhone Villages Lou Combaou is a solid southern Rhone that displays loads of sappy garrigue, spiced cherries, mineral, and licorice to go with a medium-bodied, juicy, and edgy palate. There.s a serious kick of acidity here, as well as a firm, edgy core that should soften over the coming year. It should continue to drink well for 3-5 years. (Mar 2012)"
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$16.95
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France
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Rhone
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Hermitage/Crozes-Hermitage
In stock, 12+ available
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Organic grape farmer François Tardy makes intense, slightly wild, authentic, delicious Syrah. This fine-value Crozes comes from his younger (5-10 year old) vines. Bright, bold berry fruit mixes with game and spice. Good acidity, modest tannins, almost no oak. A beauty to drink with lamb, boar, and most anything with rosemary.
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$31.95
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France
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Rhone
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Other
In stock,
7
available
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If you need a reason to get over your anti-boxed-wine bias, here it is: a round, fruity, earthy Côtes du Rhône from a mini-cooperative known for practicing sustainable agriculture. "From the Tank" is a newly released collaboration between the Estézargues co-op in the southern Rhône and Jenny & François Selections, an importer specializing in so-called natural wines, made largely without chemical manipulation. Before settling on a medium-bodied blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Carignan for their inaugural vintage, "we tasted a bunch of tanks," says Jenny & François’ Jenny Lefcourt, who also chose the utilitarian name and helped design the three-liter cardboard box, which compactly houses the equivalent of four bottles.
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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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$99.95
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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,
4
available
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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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$32.95
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RP 89–91
France
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Rhone
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Chateauneuf-du-Pape
In stock,
2
available
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89-91 points Robert Parker: "The Domaine Roger Perrin’s potentially outstanding, dark ruby/purple-tinged 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape exhibits beautiful aromas of black raspberries, black currants and pepper as well as attractive elegance, power, purity and depth. A precocious component suggests it should drink well for a decade or more. (Oct 2010)"
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