All wines are red unless otherwise stated.
Jean-Claude MARSANNE
2020 Collines Rhodaniennes Syrah “Syrah mauve”
From vines planted in 2016, this wine shows good concentration and freshness to go with light violet fruit in the nose and mouth. Very successful for what it is. Cork closure. 13% stated alcohol. Lot L 01. 86/A-
Daniel REYNAUD
2019 Crozes-Hermitage Beaumont
This negociant wine barely scraping over the “B” mark, this is rather standard Crozes-Hermitage vinified and raised in unlined cement tanks. The wine has chunky dark fruits with a little smokiness, and no lack of rusticity. It has be balance to provide good drinking for at least 3-5 years. Certified organic. Ardseal closure. 13.5% stated alcohol. Lot L200722. 87/B
2019 Crozes-Hermitage Domaine les Bruyères Georges
In contrast to the previous wine, this is the wine from Reynaud’s estate, Domaine les Bruyères. The wine is riper with some jamminess to its dark fruits and a little smokiness. In theory, it’s better than the negociant Crozes above; in practice, what one gets here in greater concentration is offset by some overripeness. Certified organic and biodynamic. Ardseal closure. 14% stated alcohol. Lot L 01. 86/B-
Cave SAINT-DÉSIRAT
2021 Saint-Joseph Grand Apollon
This respectable cooperative has an early released red. The wine has quite a bit of reduction, and so I'd decant it an hour or before serving. The wine is light in weight with freshness to its violet and dark fruit flavors and some firmness to the texture. With further time in the bottle, this could possibly fill out to be something even more interesting. Agglomerate cork closure. 12.5% stated alcohol. 86+/C
Domaine des SEPT LUNES/Jean DELOBRE et Jacques MAURICE
2020 vin de France Syrah
This is an easy-to-drink, smooth Syrah with good precision and depth to its dark plum and violet fruits. Drink over the next few years. Certified organic. Nomacorc closure. 13% stated alcohol. Lot LSY20. 88/A
2018 Saint-Joseph Chemin Faisant
This is a powerhouse of a wine, still several years away from maturity. It is full-bodied and loaded with concentrated dark plum fruit. Certified organic. Cork closure. 15% stated alcohol. Lot L CP18. 90/B+