Tasting notes, Nov. 8, 2025: Southern Rhone

                     Southern Rhone Valley

2024 Piaugier Grange Piaugier Blanc
On Sale for $20
Sablet / Southern Rhone Valley / France
100% Grenache Noir
The Autran family’s Domaine de Piaugier is located in the Southern Rhone village of Sablet, an area especially known for its fine, sandy soils. For the Grange de Piaugier Blanc, grapes from younger vines are employed and only the first press, clear free run juice is retained. 
2023 Charbonniere Tradition Blanc
On Sale for $48
Châteauneuf-du-Pape / Rhone Valley / France
40% Roussanne, 40% Grenache Blanc, 20% Clairette
The Maret family has been farming in the appellation of Chateauneuf-du-Pape for four generations. Their white Chateauneuf comes only from estate vineyards and is aged in a combination of stainless steel and new oak barrels (20%).
2019 Saint Cosme Chateau de Rouanne
On Sale for $20
Vinsobres / Southern Rhone Valley / France
50% Grenache, 40% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre
The village of Vinsobres is located in the northern sector of the Southern Rhone and often relies a bit heavier on Syrah. Saint Cosme’s Louis Barruol manages the Chateau Rouanne with the same exacting standards as that of his acclaimed Gigondas property. 
2020 Janasse Les Garrigues
On Sale for $36
Cotes-du-Rhone / Southern Rhone Valley / France
100% Grenache
Sourced from very old vines planted next door to Chateauneuf-du-Pape, this pure Grenache offers a sumptuous personality. The wine is aged for 12 months in large casks.
2022 Gour de Chaule Tradition
On Sale for $44
Gigondas / Southern Rhone Valley / France
80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre
Gour de Chaule’s Gigondas Tradition is sourced from three separate 50-year-old parcels scattered throughout the appellation. The wine is aged for 18 months in large casks and not released until three years after harvest.
2022 Vieille Julienne Trois Sources Rouge
On Sale for $65
Châteauneuf-du-Pape / Southern Rhône Valley / France
Primarily: Grenache; Secondarily: Syrah, Mourvedre; Also: Terret, Cinsault, Counoise, Muscardin, Vaccarese
Sourced from vineyards featuring sand, pebbles and red clay, the Trois Sources is a deceptively complex red built for the cellar. The Daumen family have been farming in Châteauneuf since the early 1900’s.