Fine Wine > Red > France > 90-92 Pts > $20-50

Cellar/Tasting Notes
"From tank, the l'Oustal Blanc 2009 Minervois Giocoso - incorporating some Cinsault along with its usual Grenache, Syrah, and Carignan - is redolent of incense, freshly-baked ginger cookies, and confitured cherry and black raspberry ... There is terrific grip and lingering spice here, while a..

Cellar/Tasting Notes
"The exceptional 2009 Crozes-Hermitage is one of the top wines of the vintage. A complex bouquet of black olives, licorice, ground beef, spring flowers and red and black currants soars from the glass of this 100% Syrah that is aged in 3-year-old barrels as well as larger foudres. With remarkable..

Cellar/Tasting Notes
"This comes from a plot near Pommard. It shows fresh, bright, pure raspberry and cherry fruit. It’s light and expressive with ripe fruit, savoury freshness and a bit of grip. Impressive for the price."

Cellar/Tasting Notes
"This blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot is a soft, round, medium to full-bodied wine with lots of earthy black cherry and black currant fruit as well as some background oak and earth undertones. The wine has pleasant, soft tannins and is ideal for drinking over..

Cellar/Tasting Notes
"Domaine Grand Venuer's 2010 Lirac Clos de Sixte is outstanding. It is a full-bodied, rich, textural wine with abundant blue and black fruits interwoven with garrigue and licorice..."

Cellar/Tasting Notes
"This delivers textbook St.-Julien notes of cassis, briar, roasted apple wood and charcoal, along with dark plum character and a winey, slightly tarry finish. Should be a solid, short-term ager as the grip is just loosely knit enough. Best from 2013 through 2020."

Cellar/Tasting Notes
"Another blockbuster is the 2010 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Rasteau Cuvee Marc. Composed of 50% Grenache, 25% Mourvedre and 25% Syrah, this is a fabulous value from an increasingly promising appellation. A sumptuous bouquet of kirsch, licorice, chocolate fudge, blackberries and graphite emerges from..

Cellar/Tasting Notes
“... Layers of dark red fruit, flowers and spices caress the palate in this supple, radiant wine. This shows lovely mid-palate presence and plenty of depth within the context of the vintage. This is another gorgeous set of wines from Philippe Collotte ...”

Cellar/Tasting Notes
"Blackberry and black licorice on the nose, with hints of fresh herbs. Full and silky, with a solid core of fruit and tannins. Goes on beautifully...91-94"

Cellar/Tasting Notes
"A 2010 Moulin-a-Vent Clos de Rochegres originates in the high-elevation site that is by de Castelnau’s account farthest advanced in Chateau des Jacques’s conversion to biodynamic farming, thanks he says to the diligent collaboration of those participating vignerons who are responsible for..