The great reviews surrounding 2010 Rhone’s is for once news that I can report is both true and very exciting. I seldom get over excited by wines with huge alcohol, ‘big fruit’ and a showy nature, but these 2010 reds have elements of the above, and there are certainly wines with all of the above in turbo models, but what excites hear is the acidity, the freshness, the sheer drinkability of the wines. They are appetising.

This tour took place over three days in March. Sky was at times cloudy but in the main clear, temperature around 13 on day one and 2, not helped by a whipping mistral, and day 3 around 18 with pressure rising and no mistral. I stayed in the Hotel Ibis in Orange, not a place i would recommend for a romantic weekend, but it sort of works for a wine trip!

The wines of Graveirette, one of our longest standing producers are sublime, as always, and retasting this 2008 CdP was a reminder of how a great producer should be measured; by the more difficult vintages as well as the easier ones. His VdT wines represent terrific value, offering terroir style and fruit with universal appeal. We will import his delicious whites this year, including the 3 year old vine CdP blanc which will be a VdT for the time being. Julien Mus is a fine winemaker and his modesty and youthful enthusiasm are beguiling. HIs wines impress me as much in our tasting room as they do in his cellar every time. I am pleased that Julien is now on the way to converting to organic viticulture too.

Kreydenweiss out in Costieres des Nimes proved an interesting visit. The terroir here is almost identical to that of CdP with galet stones of silex, granite and sandstone, with clay and limestone sub soils. The wines are biodynamic and quirky to say the least. Ansata Blanc is a blend of Viognier, Pinot Gris, Rolle, Riesling, Marsanne and more. It is a strange purple hue but is certainly white, which is rather disconcerting. It works in a luscous southern Rhone way and has a quirky mid palate and finsih, very mineral. The reds seem to get better and better and Ansata Syrah is a gem, as is there 2007 CdP, produced next to Bonneau on the northwestern edge of the commune. It is bright, luscious, and incredibly complex. Delicous indeed.

Day two saw a random roaming pattern across the region: Gigondas to taste at one or two producers and then to Mas de Restanques, a tiny domaine producing incredibly pretty Vacqueyras, cassis scented and violets; Vacqueyras Blanc which is like a trip to the tropical fruit bizzarre, and Gigondas that is both stately and delicate at the same time. A real find and I am very excited about these wines arriving in May. On to Roaix to taste at Pique Basse, a domaine on the fringes of this nether world. Rich wines, full of brooding spice and coffee notes that are balanced and harmonious, as well as delicious. This is a CBW domaine for sure, biodynamic and very expressive so watch this space.

On to Rasteau to meet Elodie Balme and her fragrant and statuesque wines, very fine but turns out she can’t sell us any as she s already sold out! this is unsurprising but we’ll keep knocking on her door, they’re great wines and would look good in the cellar. Afterward on to Domaine Viret near Vinsorbes. Amphorea and Biodynamic wines all the way and a producer I have followed for a while. These are wines for the true enthusiast for natural wines but I wonder if the prices are so prohibitive that only the elite will get to try them. The style is terroir orientated, the fruit expression playing a support role.

Lunch in Tourne au Verre in Cairanne is certainly worth a look, it is the best place in the region of lunch offering great wines by the glass from the region and some strangers too (Dauvissat Chablis?!). Also Alonso in Sorgues is a cracking place for dinner if you are down that way, and very reasonable for food that is among the best in region.

So, I managed to track down a previously unheard of Patrice Jubain in Cairanne, all the main names being imported already. This guy makes one wine from vineyards around the commune and my what a wine it is, I am glad I spent an hour trying to find him (typically odd directions to wrong domaines and then no one in, no signs, no address or phone number etc) as what he produces is seriously delicious and very reasonable too. The 2010 wines will be here in the summer.

Off to Ventoux and a fine tasting of Bio wines in the shadow of the great Ventoux. Croix des Pins is a brilliant winery with a rustic heritage that ended with the death of the owner in a terrible car crash. Now the domaine is run by three friends and is being renovated to become a cracking little property to host tastings and make wine in. The wines are very good value and although have the slight rustic charm of the region, the garrigue and deep fruit characters more than make up for it in the reds and the whites are surprisingly fresh and jaunty, and fine to drink in the heat of the day.

On the last day the Mistral abated and I headed to Vacqueyras to taste wines at a domaine that are already in the UK, which was of limited interest. The on to Seguret to tatse Pourra, an organic domaine with Segruet and Gigondas vineyards. The vines are right up in the hills among the rocky peaks of the Dentelles and beyond. Fresh, perfumed and very fine indeed, although limited quantities may mean we take these on in with the next vintage.

Product news:
Domaine de la Graveirette new wines are in next week including:
• 2010 Cotes du Rhone, 100% Grenache RRP £12.95. A departure from the syrah Grenache blend, and very 2010.
• 2010 Mus Blanc and Merlot VdP vaucluse to stellar sub £10 wines that really hit the spot
• He has produced a white wine from CdP vineyards that will be out early summer. For now it is VdFrance and will be circa £15 as it is from young vines, but it is good!
• 2009 CdP. Amazing!

Thomas Labaille Sancerre
• A new Rose is on its way and some 2010 Pinot Noir. Fine, restrained styles and very elegant.

Jean Franois Merieau
• 2010 Arpent de Vaudons Sauvignon Blanc, a terroir style SB for £11.95, beautifully packaged and knock out value.
• 2008 Grands Champs Cabernet Franc, an evolved and very characterful CF from the master. £13.95

Patrick Piuze
• 2011 Petit Chablis is now in stock, with 2011 Fye in bottles and Magnums to follow in April.

Agricola Labastida Rioja
• These guys have made a £7.95 retail Rioja for us and it is fabulous, 100% Tempranillo from Alevesa, its juicy and very fruity. This replace Pierres Rioja. We have a Crianza too. 2008 vintage.

Deliance
• 2009 Givry has arrived rrp £16.95, and is very fine indeed.

New Wines arriving soon and other news
• Finally we have some more 2005 Cent Boisellees arriving from PJ Druet! Should be here in April
• The new vintages of Bibei are in in May 2010 Lapola and 2008 Lalama
• Mas de Restanques Gigondas and Vacqueyras, a bio producer in Gigondas arrives in late April.
• Domaine Kreydenweiss Costieres de Nimes wines are in next week
• Cheveau’s Macon Solutre Pouilly 2011 will be here in May, as will a new Beaujolais, Or Rouge. His 2010 Pouilly Fuisse’s are in now
• 2011 Petit Chardoisie Sauvignon Blanc is arriving at the end of March. RRP 9.50
• A new shipment of Ludo Chanson’s La Gavroche Sauvignon will be here in April
• 2010 Castell d’Encus Thalarn Syrah is now in stock. We have a tiny quantity of this so let me know if you would like some.
• La Griffe is selling fast so please let me know if you would like some, and Naissance from Cheveau is whittling away too.

Finally, we have a number of new producers coming on board in the next few months from my recent visit to the Rhone Valley so I will keep you updated on news of those as the arrive.

Had the lad himself over for a day or two and tasted through the bottled 2010 vintage. Pat seems to think this is not a great vintage, he can’t wait for the 2011, but the wines are pretty stellar never the less!

Here is the cellar of one of our friends in Burgundy. Patrick is a great man who makes wines from fruit bought from friends vineyards. He makes a tiny amount of very good wine that will be here in the spring.

Here is a picture of the great man in his own domaine. The new wines from him will be in in Feb and samples will be sent out in due course. They are delicious!

Cheers!

Ben

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