The 2017 vintage looks excellent in the region, continuing to give fans plenty to choose from.
All wines below are red unless otherwise specified.
FERRATON Père & Fils
2017 Crozes-Hermitage La Matinière
Excellent Syrah character in this wine with slight smokiness to mineral dark fruits. The wine is medium-weight and shows very good precision. This should be a good value and has another 8-12 years of aging potential. 13% stated alcohol. 90/A
Pierre GONON
2017 Saint-Joseph Les Oliviers white
This wine is attractive, but perhaps a bit more shy than other recent vintages. The wine has most attractive peach blossom aromas. The mouth shows similar light peach fruit, a light body, and a touch of heat. Ideally, hold this wine 3-5 years to maturity. Certified organic. 14% stated alcohol. 90/A-
2017 Vin de Pays de l’Ardèche Les Îles Feray
The Îles Feray is a dense, closed, powerful, ripe (but not overripe) wine with earthy blackberry fruit and a very concentrated texture. There’s plenty of tannin here, and this would seem to be a wine to hold for 7-10 years before it starts to reach maturity. As in other vintages, the wine is even more remarkable because it is from flat land and wines that are only in their teens. Certified organic. 13.5% stated alcohol. 91/A+
Alain GRAILLOT
2017 Crozes-Hermitage
This is unusually dense, tannic, and concentrated Crozes-Hermitage from Graillot. With lengthy time in the decanter, one begins to see the potential in the deep, smoky, blackberry fruit and the silky texture. Usually Graillot wines give immense pleasure as soon as they come on the market, but this is one I’d be inclined to hold 4-6 years before opening. 13.5% stated alcohol. Lot L 3. 91(+)/A
Corinne, Jean-Paul & Loïc JAMET
2017 Côtes-du-Rhône
While good, this wine is not quite up to recent vintages, lacking their freshness. It features ark fruits with excellent concentration and some wildness. I’d drink it over the next 4-5 years. 13% stated alcohol. 87/B+