A racy nose of black fruits, smoke, wet earth and violets. Medium- to full-bodied with fine tannins and bright acidity. It has tension and balance with plenty of blueberries on the palate and a supple finish. Drink or hold.

Glass-staining ruby. Hugely perfumed, mineral-accented black and blue fruit preserves, floral oil, olive paste, pipe tobacco and exotic spice aromas show superb clarity and pick up a hint of smokiness with air. Juicy and...

Sleek, ripe and focused at first, with a racy beam of black currant and blackberry fruit that drives through, carried by a graphite edge and flanked by sweet bay leaf, tapenade and pepper accents. The long finish has a...

Deep, glistening violet color. Pungent, mineral-laced dark berry and cherry aromas are complemented by suggestions of licorice, smoked meat and exotic spices. Chewy and focused on the palate, offering juicy blackberry...

A fresh, pure and vibrant style, with abundant flavors of just-ripe plum and smoked cherry, bolstered by snappy, pepper-edged acidity and highlighted by beautiful violet notes. Shows a supple palate, with savory acidity...

An alluring red, with fresh boysenberry and black pepper-dusted plum flavors underscored by smoked bacon, charred cedar and mocha. Pure and polished, this is well-built and seductive. Drink now through 2030. - J.M.

A textural, balanced and harmonious red with such patina already. The nose shows notes of dark cherries, fresh plums, forest floor and warm spices. Medium-bodied with fine tannins. Dense and velvety, with a kick of...

The 2020 Crozes-Hermitage La Guiraude outperforms the 2022 in a landslide. Precise black cherry, red plum, cedar and pencil shaving come alive in the glass. Full-bodied, polished and complex, the 2020 engages the palate...

Already bottled, the 2021 Cornas Les Vieilles Vignes is a tiny production cuvée that comes from a single parcel of very old vines. It's more inward and reserved, with beautiful darker, almost blue fruits as well as some...

The 2021 Saint Joseph Blanc is clearly outstanding, offering bright citrus, orange blossom, and honeyed flower notes in a medium-bodied, elegant, beautifully balanced package. I like its mid-palate depth and...

The classic 2020 Saint-Joseph Les Grisières presents wafts of graphite, crushed violets, ripe red fruits and cedary undertones. Elegant and refined, this concentrated and neatly structured red has all the ingredients for...

Perfumed cherry and spices are textured in this graceful version. Starts off glossy, but tannins take hold, giving a firm shape and focused finish. Black pepper, mocha and violet chime in, along with a sanguine thread of...

The brassy-hued, full-bodied 2019 Saint-Joseph Blanc Les Granits is 100% Marsanne, barrel fermented and matured. Ripe and opulent, with notes of honeyed citrus, toasted grain, pineapple and melon, it's silky-textured and...

Louis Barruol has turned out a successful 2021 Cote Rotie, evoking hints of espresso, smoked meat, black olives and tart berries. It's medium-bodied and silky-textured, with tea-like notes on the complex, elegant finish.- JC

The nose of this wine is captivating, with fresh black cherry accented by soft floral and spicy notes. On the palate, vibrant acidity lifts the core of black fruit, creating a beautifully balanced wine. There's no fuss...

Already brimming with energy, the nose delights with floral overtones of jasmine and rose petals atop freshly pressed blackberry, black licorice, tarragon and light dark chocolate shavings. The palate is bold with a...

An elegant expression of Cornas, with real complexity. High-toned cherry and olive tapenade are laced with sweet bay leaf, lavender and earth. Well-managed tannins support the supple core of red fruit. Shows a refined...

An elegant expression of Cornas, with real complexity. High-toned cherry and olive tapenade are laced with sweet bay leaf, lavender and earth. Well-managed tannins support the supple core of red fruit. Shows a refined...

Perfumed and appealing, with pretty violet, hibiscus, fresh plum and red currant notes that turn supple and mouthfilling on the palate. A harmonious wine, with singed alder and oak spice sweetness in perfect balance. The...

Moving to the single vineyard 2020 Côte Rôtie La Landonne, this beauty is 100% Syrah that spent 16 months in a mix of new and used barrels. It's similarly deep purple/plum-hued yet has a more mineral-laced, focused...

(94+ points) The 2020 Crozes-Hermitage Le Clos is tighter and more focused, with a more blue-fruited perfume of cassis, graphite, violets, and peppered meat-like aromas and flavors. The polar opposite of the broad, ripe...

Opaque ruby-red. A highly perfumed and expansive bouquet evokes dark berry and cherry preserves, Indian spices, olive and incense; a smoky mineral nuance emerges as the wine opens up. Fleshy and broad on the palate but...

A firm yet enticing expression with a captivating blend of black cherry, crème de menthe, violets, and black olives. Fresh and vibrant, the palate is silky, with well-integrated tannins and a whisper of clove on the...

Pure cassis, blue fruits, new leather, graphite, and hints of bouquet garni define the aromatics of the 2022 Cornas, and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, an ultra-fine, pure, seamless mouthfeel...