Home to the spicy Syrah, or Shiraz, and the floral Viognier grapes, the northern Rhône Valley is one of France’s oldest wine-growing regions; its appellations include Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, Crozes-Hermitage, St-Joseph, and Château-Grillet.
François Villard ‘Les Terrasses du Palat’ Condrieu 2014
Regular Price $68.99
Sale price $54.99
Condrieu is the home of Viognier, and Viognier from Condrieu is unlike Viognier from anywhere else on the planet. Villard picks late, preferring ripe fruit to make his opulent wines. Nor does he eschew barrel aging, as he feels the weight of his wine can carry some oak influence. Medium bodied with mineral-laden aromas and butterscotch, crunchy granny smith apple and sweet spice notes on the palate, this wine is rich and mouth filling with a honeyed finish.
Pierre Gaillard Saint-Joseph Blanc 2016
Regular Price $37.99
Sale price $29.99
Gaillard’s Saint-Joseph Blanc is unusual in that it is made entirely from Roussanne. The wine spent 7 months in Allier and Nevers barrels, only 10% new, with some bâtonnage. Ripe, balanced and energetic with floral and mineral notes which spread out on the palate. It’s an intense, creamy textured wine with spice, apple skin and almond notes. It’s complex and savory, with some grip on the finish. Fresh, accessible and friendly, it’s a great example of just how good Northern Rhone wines can be.
Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage Blanc 2016
Regular Price $44.99
Sale Price $35.99
Alain Graillot, who founded his domaine in Crozes-Hermitage in 1985 and rapidly became one of the hottest producers thereabouts, made this wine from hand-picked Marsanne and Roussanne, fermented and aged in older oak barrels before release. This is classic; rich, full and made for food, particularly roasted pork, and firm fish dishes.
Domaine les Bruyères ‘Georges Reynaud’ Crozes-Hermitage 2014
Regular Price $32.99
Sale price $25.99
Named in honor of David Reynaud’s father, this is a beautifully fruited wine of 100% Syrah aged in old barrels and concrete tanks. It shows plenty of black raspberry and cassis, hints of caramel, smoke and vanilla bean, and spice in a forward, textured style. Stylish and coy rather than overpowering and boastful, its a wine lover’s wine.
Pierre Gaillard Cornas 2013
Regular Price $49.99
Sale Price $39.99
Bottled unfiltered, this is a spicy and fragrant, Syrah with good depth and plenty of classic, savory Northern Rhône flavors. A healthy seasoning of black pepper and spruce hums in the background, underpinning the wine’s core of fleshy, dark black fruit and leather..
François Villard ‘Le Gallet Blanc’ Cote-Rotie 2014
Regular Price $81.99
Sale price $64.99
The wine is produced from mostly Syrah and just a dollop of Viognier, (perhaps 1% or 2% of the blend). Lots of smoke, black raspberries, earth and some vanilla upfront. Silky, ripe, red fruits carry all the way through to a firm and structured finish