From the more clay soils just south of Beaucastel in the Gardiole lieu-dit, the 2023 Châteauneuf Du Pape à la Gloire de Mon Grand-Pere is 100% Grenache that was 50% destemmed and brought up in foudre with a small amount...

Dark and dense, showing real power and concentration. Offers more than just ripe fruit, with violet, blackberry and plum cruising alongside black pepper, salt-cured meat, toasted spices and a ballast of solid iron. Gutsy...

A structured version, with muscular tannins upholding crunchy red fruit and plum, plus an enticing perfume of smoke and flowers. Graphite underpinnings carry this through the full-bodied finish, which is still tightly...

A lovely, seductive version, with full ripeness yet balanced restraint to the round, warm notes of red licorice and cherry, flecked with lavender and vanilla bean. A stream of graphite matches the ripeness, making for a...

The 2023 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Clos Roquète shows well, with a notch more intensity and overall freshness than the 2022 tasted alongside. Zesty lemon flesh, ripe pear, yellow apple and herbal shadings all come alive...

Alluring garrigue, just-ripe black cherry, peppery gradations and leafy subtleties introduce the 2023 Vacqueyras Cuvee Doucinello. Refreshing, medium-bodied and gently framed by smooth tannins, the 2023 shows well...

The only red Gigondas from Domaine Les Pallières this year due to the coulure-derived absence of the Racines, the 2023 Gigondas Terrasse du Diable was bottled in May 2025. Blending 95% Grenache with dollops of Syrah...

(96-98 points) As always, I was able to taste the 2023 Hermitage from multiple parcels, and it's clear this will be another beautiful Hermitage. The Péléat, which comes from sandier soils, is always more finesse-oriented...

Just bottled but certainly not showing any worse for it, the 2023 Hermitage Blanc offers up gorgeous aromatics of quince, honeyed white flowers, and blanched almond on the nose. It's medium to full-bodied, round...

Fluid ripeness is nicely contrasted with a meaty, gutsy edge in this flattering version. Cherry and black plum are flecked with apple wood smoke, ganache and bacon lard. Salty, savory grip holds firm, fleshed out with red...

Elegant and high-toned, with crunchy red fruit and incense flecked with sanguine, smoked meat notes. Mesquite smoke wafts through the medium-bodied palate, held in check with polished tannins. Herbal spiciness kicks in...

Combining power and elegance, the 2023 Cornas Granit 60 is beautiful, revealing aromas of violet, dark berries, grapefruit and spices. Medium- to full-bodied, deeper and more layered than Granit 30, it’s built around a...

Fermented with whole clusters, the 2023 Cornas La Geynale is another success at this address. Unfurling from the glass with aromas of violet, dark berries, mulberries, spices and lead pencil mingled with licorice, it’s...