This powerful and warm wine comes from a selection of exceptional terroirs. The vineyards used in this Gigondas red are located on the arid hills of the Dentelles de Montmirail. The mistral blows regularly on these slopes, assisting even growth and excellent fruit quality. This terroir produces a wine capable of ageing for at least ten years.

The wine is an intense garnet colour. The nose offers notes of liquorice, red fruit with brandy, garrigue and pepper. The palate is rich and concentrated, with notes of red fruit and dried herbs.

80 % Grenache and 20% Syrah. Nice freshness in the nose with herbal and wild blackberry notes. The palate is fruity and spicy with wild raspberry, rosemary and thyme notes. This is a balanced, well-structured and mineral Rhone red.

70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre from the Rhone. A rich, well structured wine. Full of plum and stewed fruit aromas. No oak results in pure fruit expression on the palate. 

Château Maucoil’s vineyards are located in the northwest of the Châteauneuf du Pape area, on the left bank of the River Rhône. This wine consists of Grenache blanc (90%) Bourboulenc (8%) Clairette (2%). This wine is clean and bright. Rich and fine on the nose with pear and citrus aromas. The palate is mineral with notes of green apple and lemon.

Now we're talking next level. 

Domaine de la Solitude Chateauneuf-du-Pape is an exciting dry, full bodied, ageworthy white wine from the Southern Rhone's most famous appellation. It's a blend of Roussanne 40%, Clairette 30%, Grenache Blanc 20%, Bourboulenc and Picpoul 10%. Approximately 40% of the wine was aged in barrels on fine lees for 10 months and its smooth, full body and savoury flavours are beautifully balanced by the high acid components in the blend, namely Roussanne and Bourbolenc. 

Here is a wine to enjoy in a large glass right now or to age further for at least six to seven years, potentially beyond that. It will reward short, medium and long term drinking.

Full bodied French Viognier from the south, which is affordable and beautifully well balanced, thanks to its peachy aromas and zingy dry palate structure. This wine highlights Viognier at its best; dry and rich but also with complex nutty notes, wich is no mean feat at this price. This wine is made with grapes grown in three French wine regions; on the Massif Central, the Mediterranean and the French Alps. This combination provides balance to the fleshy, full bodied appeal of peachy Viognier. This wine was aged for six months on lees in concrete tanks. 

It is also refreshingly varietally labelled.

A lovely addition to Viognier lover's wine glasses in New Zealand.

A classic southern Rhone white blend made up of 50% Roussanne, 30%
Grenache Blanc, 10% Viognier and 10% Marsanne from Costieres de Nimes AOC. 

After a short skin maceration, fermentation is conducted at 18°C in stainless tanks
with no malolactic fermentation to retain as much freshness as possible.
The Grenache Blanc brings minerality, the Viognier brings aromas of apricot and peach and the Marsanne and Roussanne add citrus and floral complexity.

Chateau du Trignon is located on the Trignon river which divides Sablet and Gigondas in the southern Rhone. This is 100% Marsanne offering subtles aromas of acacia, beeswax, quince, almonds, honey and white peach.

Vacqueyras has always played second fiddle to Chateauneuf but the wines are finally starting to get the credit they deserve and this full bodied, deep and complex red is an excellent expression of this appellation. 

Sang des Cailloux means “blood of the stones,” and the galets ridden nature of the soil comes across in the mineral, stony aspect of this wine which is deep and full of energy and with notes of lavender, red and black fruit and olive. It is ready to drink now but will age gracefully for at least ten to fifteen years.

This wine is made from grapes grown on the elevated Plateau des Garrigues, where the vines are planted on a mixture of red clay, limestone and galets roule - or pudding - stones that are famously found in Chateaunuef.

Although famed for its red wines, white wines have a long heritage in the southern Rhône valley, where the locals enjoy an occasional glass at the start of a warm evening. La Fleur Solitaire is a solitaire amongst the rubies of our Boutinot Rhône range; a white Côtes du Rhône made from traditional southern Rhône white grape varieties.

Production

Following an experiment with a micro cuvée crafted from seven barrels back in 2009, we now source grapes from selected vineyards in the southern Rhône. Each parcel is picked separately in the cooler early daylight hours for gentle pressing that same morning, and each is fermented at a low temperature. To a base of Grenache Blanc, we blend Viognier along with co-fermented pairs of Roussanne/Marsanne and Bourboulenc/Clairette. Over the years we have increased the proportion vinified in stainless steel, with just under a third of the wine now vinified and matured for 6 months French oak barrels (mostly 3rd fill but some new) to add complexity and creaminess.

Tasting notes

Proper white Côtes du Rhône; fresh, medium-bodied, vinous. The nose is pretty and delicate, with a waft of fennel tops and hints of hedgerow flowers. The flavours are nuanced and refined rather than overt. Careful use of oak adds texture and structure without masking the freshness of this very drinkable white.

Food match

A lovely apéritif, and delicious with lighter dishes such as grilled asparagus drizzled with olive oil and toasted almonds or a goats cheese salad. Fish and chicken are a perfect partner; especially grilled halibut or cod, or a creamy chicken dishes such as the French Poulet à l’Estragon (chicken in a tarragon sauce).

Its fresh and ripe blackcurrant nose is marked by aromas of spices. A frank, fresh and dense attack on the palate makes it a very delicious wine. Its beautiful length brings with it bewitching aromas of garrigue and reveals very sweet tannins. Powerful and pure in the mouth with a very elegant, fruity palate. Ready to drink, or even better with age.

Grapes: 60% Grenache, 40% Syrah

Terroir: Pebble soils from the Rhône.

Winemaking: Fermentation in stainless tank with temperature control, and aged in concrete.

This wine was created in 1952 by Charles Brotte with the co-operation of local Provençale glass and ceramic craftsmen. The original and surprising bottle shape represents the gnarled and twisted vines typical of the region due to their struggle of growing against the Mistral wind. La Fiole, “Phiala” in latin refers to a “precious bottle”. The bottle is exclusive as we are the only winery permitted to use this shape. “Pape” evokes the cru of Châteauneuf-du-Pape as well as the  presence of the Popes in the region and village in the Middle Ages. The bottle’s golden anthracite grey powder recalls wines of former times.

The wine is unique and of constant quality. A majority of Grenache, an important share of Reserve Wines – 30 to 40% (some of which are 5 years old) give it fruitiness, freshness and maturity, intensity and smoothness. The wine can be savoured immediately or be kept 5 to 7 years.

La Fiole du Pape is the best selling Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the world.

Move aside, cheeky little anything red  fora bottle of this gorgeous French rouge from the Southern Rhone Valley. Its pretty purple colour gives way to a red fruited, lightly spicy tasting wine with smooth tannins, a medium body and a fresh finish. This wine is made by the Perrin Family, owners of Château de Beaucastel, which makes some of the greatest reds in the Rhone Valley. 

* This wine is made from a blend of grapes grown in the Southern Rhone Valley and it was formerly a Cotes du Ventoux but is now a blended rouge from a wider area. 

Winery notes: With 80% Grenache and 20% syrah, this wine is a classic southern Rhône red with ample rich fruit and an appealing herbal freshness. The palate is lusciously textured with plum, strawberry and a touch of spice. Uncomplicated and deliciously drinkable yet serious enough to accompany food.

A rare and special Cotes du Rhone made entirely from the dark spicy Syrah grape which delivers big time in this full bodied dry red that has ageing potential to burn - and it drinks beautifully now, especially with meaty savoury dishes. 

Buy two and age one. Supplies are limited. Get in fast.