Tasting notes, November 2, 2024; Rhone wines

                     Rhone & Provence

2023 Jolivet Cuvee Louis
On Sale for $26.40
Northern Rhone Valley / France
70% Roussanne, 30% Viognier
Sourced from a young vineyard planted in granite, the Cuvee Louis blends the two aromatic varietals of the Northern Rhone. The wine is fermented in stainless steel and aged in a combination of steel and medium sized oak casks.
2023 Raymond Usseglio Pure Blanc
On Sale for $60
Châteauneuf-du-Pape / Southern Rhone Valley / France
100% Roussanne
Châteauneuf Blanc is already rarity only enhanced in this case by its monovarietal Roussanne expression. This wine is only produced in suitably fine vintages and is fermented and aged in small oak barrels.
2022 Lafond Rose
On Sale for $15.99
Tavel / Southern Rhone Valley / France
60% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 20% Syrah
The Tavel appellation is one of the few producing only Rose wine in France. This is a powerful Rose not without charm, a wine well suited as an aperitif or matched with a hearty meal off of the grill.
2022 Fondreche Rouge
On Sale for $18.40
Ventoux / Southern Rhone Valley / France
50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 20% Mourvedre
Only founded in 1991, Domaine Fondreche has rapidly become one of the top quality leaders in the Ventoux zone. The wines are ripe, plush and produced using meticulously farmed grapes.
2022 Saint Damien Gigondas “Vieilles Vignes”
On sale for $34.99
Gigondas, Southern Rhone Valley / France
80% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre
Ripe and dense Grenache, filled with notes of Provencal herbs and dark red fruit. The addition of Mourvedre adds subtle earth and animal notes. Drinkable today and over the next 5 – 7 years.
2021 Marie Berenice Bandol Rouge
On Sale for $36
Bandol / Provence / France
90% Mourvedre, 10% Grenache
Sourced from 60 year-old vineyards, this strikingly complex Bandol is aged for 18 months in cask prior to bottling. Dark and brooding, the Marie Berenice would make a good partner to a cold night or a hearty stew or both.