Rhône Valley: From Crozes to Côte-Rôtie
13 Rhones, across 7 appellations, & 5 Top Producers
Appellations:
Côtes du Rhône | Crozes-Hermitage | Hermitage | Côte-Rôtie
Côtes du Roussillon Villages | Châteauneuf-du-Pape | Beaumes-de-Venise
The Domaines:
Chapoutier | Domaine Belle | Domaine Alain Graillot | Domaine de Marcoux | Guigal
Sunday, May 10th
Lunch: 12-3pm | 13 Wines & 4 Courses | $285.00
Tasting: 4-6pm | 13 Wines | $185.00
Dinner: 6.30pm | 13 Wines & 4 Courses | $285.00
Tickets are available via the buttons below.
The Côtes du Rhône appellation
The Côtes du Rhône appellation is one of the oldest in France. More than two thousand years ago, Vienna was a prestigious metropolis and first planted vineyards there.
The idea which differentiates Northern from Southern Vineyards dates back to the XIIth century. The reputation of wines largely overstepping regional limits, a royal edict in 1729 re-specified the demarcation and instituted marking of casks with the letters “C.D.R.” The Côtes du Rhône wines finally attained official recognition from the INAO in 1937 thanks to Baron Le Roy de Boiseaumarié. (mchapoutier.com)
The Domaines in Context
“Michel Chapoutier produces some of the world’s greatest wines…from single parcels of old vines spread throughout the northern and southern Rhone…”
Robert M. Parker Jr.
“This estate goes from strength to strength in just about every appellation in the Rhône Valley… From the top to the bottom of the range, you can’t go wrong”
Jeb Dunnuck on Chapoutier
“… simply the best winemaker on the planet”.
Jancis Robinson on Guigal
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There are few names as revered as Alain Graillot.
In 1985, the now legendary Graillot returned to his home in Crozes Hermitage, after working with the venerable Jacques Seysses at Domaine Dujac. With each passing year, his devotion to crafting his hauntingly delicious Syrah has been rewarded with an ever-growing, and highly dedicated, following around the world.
Recently, Domaine Alain Graillot was given two Etoiles (stars), making it the highest rated Crozes domaine in France's leading wine guide, Revue du Vin de France. This confirms the great work being done by Alain's sons, Maxime and Antoine, who have been in charge of the Domaine since 2008.
All of the work in the vineyards is carried out by hand, as it ever was. Gnarled, yet manicured vines reach up from a sea of smooth, rolled stones, over ancient alluvial deposits. In the winery, Maxime continues the hands-off approach with whole-cluster fermentation using natural yeasts, and no additions apart from a minimal use of sulphur.
The domaine’s status as one of the top domaines in all of France is without question and the whole lineup are must-haves for any serious Northern Rhone fan.
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Domaine Belle has roots in Hermitage that date back several generations. The estate was founded by Louis Belle in the 1930’s. At the time, the harvest was sold to negociants or the local cooperatives. In fact, Louis Belle became one of the founding members of the now famous Tain l’Hermitage wine-making cooperative. In 1971, that began to change when Domaine Belle, headed by Albert Belle at the time began purchasing additional parcels of vines in the region. Domaine Belle built their first modern winery and cellars in 1990. Philippe Belle has been in charge of the estate since 2003.
Domaine Belle owns 31 hectares of vines in the Northern Rhone Valley. Their best vines are in Hermitage in the Les Murets and Diognieres vineyards, which have a terroir of granite, limestone, sand and gravel soils. However, many of those vines are located in soils with more sand and limestone. Domaine Belle produces red and white wine in other Northern Rhone appellations including Crozes Hermitage and St. Joseph. In Hermitage, Domaine Belle has about 1.5 hectares of vines planted in the Doignoeres and Murets lieux-dits. They have old vines, some of which are more than 50 years of age. Starting with the 2014 vintage, Domaine Belle began using 100% organic farming techniques in all their vineyards. (http://www.thewinecellarinsider.com)
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“Marcoux’s are amongst the top wines of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. They were one of the first adopters of biodynamics. Here, the wines have a natural and a rare depth, an energy and power that does not rely on artificial breeding.” Le Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France 2024
“[This] biodynamically farmed vineyard has risen to the top of Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s quality hierarchy. The two red wines produced have been stunning, with the regular cuvée of Châteauneuf-du-Pape one of the finest in the appellation, and the limited production Cuvée Vieilles Vignes one of the world’s truly magnificent wines.” Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
“For value, shrewd consumers should reach for the Côtes du Rhône and Lirac bottlings, which can come close in quality to the blended Châteauneuf. The Vieilles Vignes is often in another quality realm altogether, but it’s priced accordingly and produced in small quantities.” Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate -
“This estate goes from strength to strength in just about every appellation in the Rhône Valley.” Looking specifically at Hermitage, Chapoutier owns a massive 64 acres, mostly on the famed Bessards lieu-dit, yet also with significant portions on Le Meal, L’Ermite and Les Greffieux, with smaller portions in the Beaume and Murets lieux-dits. From this he fashions five reds (Monier De La Sizeranne, Les Greffieux, Le Meal, Le Pavillon and L’Ermite) and four whites (Chante Alouette, Cuvee de l’Oree, Le Meal Blanc and L’Ermite Blanc), all of which are brilliant wines, with the best ranking up alongside the top wines in the world.
Not enough can be said about the quality that consistently comes from this estate. From the top to the bottom of the range, you can’t go wrong. And while the prices at the top are frightfully expensive (they’re out of my zip code), there are incredible values from St Péray, St Joseph, Cornas and Crozes Hermitage that should be snatched up by readers.
Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate
“Michel Chapoutier produces some of the world’s greatest wines from single parcels of old vines spread throughout the northern and southern Rhone… he also has an impressive portfolio of value-priced wines that are often over-looked when this impressive producer is discussed.”
Robert M. Parker Jr.
9 of his wines were awarded a perfect 100 points
score by Robert Parker in 2015…
A huge Record!!! -
Guigal produces a staggering amount of wine, some 5,000,000 bottles per year, with their consistently excellent red, white and pink Côtes-du-Rhônes making up just under half.
The Côte-Rôtie Brune et Blonde usually hovers around a quarter-million bottles per vintage, which makes it far and away the highest-production wine of the appellation. Perhaps even more impressive than those numbers is the constantly high quality of the wines, up and down and across the line-up, regardless of price. The pace is accelerating under the watch of Philippe Guigal (no, his father, Marcel, hasn’t gone anywhere, nor has his mother, the omnipresent Bernadette). The domaine has been on an acquisition tear in the south, buying up Domaine de Nalys and Les Clefs d’Or in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, plus a good number of other vineyards in the appellation. Their most recent purchase was the legendary, 98-hectare Château d’Aqueria in Tavel. It’s hard to keep up. As for recent releases, it should come as no surprise that there is excellence throughout the current offerings, which include multiple vintages. The Guigals are extremely cautious about keeping their numerous importers and private clients as happy as possible. The Hermitage and Saint-Joseph bottlings have been on a steep, upward quality climb over the last decade, and, as for the Côte-Rôties, they have, unsurprisingly, not missed a beat, even with the recent hot vintages.Josh Raynolds, vinous.com
JJ and Jack visiting Chapoutier, October 2024
The Wine List and Menu
On Arrival
2024 Chapoutier ‘Belleruche Blanc’ Côtes du Rhône
Citrus pith, white rose, and peony add floral charm to the nose of this wine. Bright acidity elevates the pithy profile while soft almond and wet stone notes linger through the finish. This textbook expression is fresh and vibrant, ideal for immediate enjoyment.
91 Points - Anna-Christina Cabrales, Wine Enthusiast
First Course
2022 Domaine Belle Louis Belle Crozes-Hermitage
I loved the elegance and purity of the 2022 Crozes-Hermitage Cuvée Louis Belle, a medium-to-full-bodied, ripe, yet seamless, beautifully balanced Crozes with ultra-fine tannins. It gives up both red and blue fruits as well as some peppery spice and floral notes. If well stored, it's going to continue to drink well for 10-15 years. Drink 2025-2037.
93 points, Jeb Dunnuck
2023 Domaine Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage Blanc
Marsanne and Roussanne. Some baking-spice aromas (clove, nutmeg) from oak and juicy, ripe-pear notes. The round, broad mouthfeel is balanced by fresh acidity. (JRL)
16/20 Points - Julian Leidy, JancisRobinson.com
2023 Domaine Belle Hermitage Blanc
A beautiful white in the vintage, the 2023 Hermitage Blanc checks in as a blend of 60% Marsanne and 40% Roussanne, aged predominantly in new French oak. It has a pure, vibrant nose of tart peach, quince, and melon as well as some minty, floral, and mineral nuances. Playing in the medium-bodied end of the spectrum, it has a fresh, lively, nicely balanced mouthfeel, integrated acidity, and outstanding length. Drink bottles over the coming decade. Drink 2025-2035.
94 points, Jeb Dunnuck
Second Course
2021 Chapoutier ‘Bila Haut’ Côtes du Roussillon Villages
Aromas of dark cherries, leaves, gunpowder and baking spices. It’s medium-bodied with crunchy dark cherries and some black pepper on the palate. Transparent and precise with a flavorful finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink now.
91 Points - James Suckling
2022 Domaine Belle Louis Belle Crozes-Hermitage
I loved the elegance and purity of the 2022 Crozes-Hermitage Cuvée Louis Belle, a medium-to-full-bodied, ripe, yet seamless, beautifully balanced Crozes with ultra-fine tannins. It gives up both red and blue fruits as well as some peppery spice and floral notes. If well stored, it's going to continue to drink well for 10-15 years. Drink 2025-2037.
93 points, Jeb Dunnuck
2023 Domaine Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage
A driven, balanced, flavorful, textural and lively Crozes-Hermitage, showing aromas of dark cherries, spiced plums, wild herbs and warm spices. It's medium-bodied with fine tannins. Superb texture and balance here with a long, succulent and vivid finish.
94 Points - James Suckling
2023 Domaine Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage La Guiraude
“At the end of élevage Maxime tastes all the barrels and makes a selection for this wine. This has real density and polish with a touch of wildness, too. Black cherries and blackberries, together with good structure and some sternness. Notes of olive and meat, too. Grippy and fine, and one for ageing.”
96 points, Jamie Goode, Wine Anorak
“A structured, layered and well-composed Crozes-Hermitage with aromas of spiced berries, warm herbs, baking spices and hints of undergrowth and bark. It's medium-bodied with fine, firm tannins. Dense and textured with a solid frame shaping the palate. Flavorful, peppery and long. Drink from 2027.”
95 points, JamesSuckling.com
Third Course
2023 Chapoutier ‘La Bernardine’ Châteauneuf du Pape
Crimson red color. A complex yet subtle nose with aromas of blackcurrant and plum, layered with roasted coffee, cinnamon and cherry. Ripe red fruit flavors with hints of spice and licorice.
Winemaker Tasting Notes
2021 Domaine de Marcoux Châteauneuf du Pape
This has power and poise, with garrigue, plum, licorice and raspberry expertly framed by a lot of mineral energy and graphite shavings. Refined and pure, with integration from start to finish. Some finely cut tannins maintain the focus and form. Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault. Drink now through 2035. 2,350 cases made, 500 cases imported.
93 Points - Kristen Bieler, Wine Spectator
A real success, Armenier’s 2021 Chateauneuf du Pape reveals a bouquet of violets, dark wild berries, spices and garrigue accented by delicate notes of pepper. Medium to full-bodied, delicately juicy and round, it is enrobing and seamless, with good depth at the core and framed by a bit firm, structured tannins. While it possesses a slightly austere and strict character at this stage, I believe time will be an ally, allowing it to evolve beautifully.
92+ Points Yohan Castaing, The Wine Advocate
Classic Marcoux notes of raspberries, kirsch, sappy garrigue, and spicy flowers emerge from the 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape, a pretty, medium-bodied, elegant, finesse-driven beauty that offers silky tannins, no hard edges, and a wonderful sense of both complexity and freshness. This classic, nuanced 2021 shows both the estate and the vintage beautifully.
Jeb Dunnuck
2022 Domaine Belle Hermitage
Ripe black fruits, scorched earth, chocolate, and peppered meat-like nuances all emerge from the 2022 Hermitage, a concentrated 2022 that shows the ripe, sunny side to the vintage in its aromatics yet also the more focused, structured style on the palate. Aged 26 months in 50% new French oak, it's going to benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and evolve gracefully over the following 15+ years. Drink 2029-2044.
95 points, Jeb Dunnuck
2019 Guigal 'Chateau d'Ampuis' Cote-Rotie Syrah/Viognier
This combines the elegance and finesse for which the appellation is famous with tremendous power. In spite of this the tannins are very fine, the generous oak already beautifully woven into the plush tapestry of flavors. Stunning length and complexity at the finish. From seven plots that are neighbours to La Mouline and La Landonne on the Cote-Rotie. A cuvee of 93% syrah and 7% viognier. Matured in 100% new oak barrels for 38 months. Drink or hold.
96 Points - James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com
To Finish...
2021 Chapoutier Muscat Beaumes de Venise 375ml