The Wines!

Domaine Violin Cotes du Rhone 2012

Bottle $9.99  Mix 6 $8.99 Mix 12 $7.99

Dark ruby purple color, after aerating aromas of incredibly summer-ripe raspberry and hint of cigar box spices, beautiful medium bodied flavors of raspberry, strawberry and red currant with a hint of green tea, light oak complexity, mocha and smooth tannins on the finish. A wonderful value, this is a delightfully easy drinking glass great for everyday sipping.

2007

 Guigal Chateauneuf du Pape 2007

Bottle $49.99  Mix 6 $44.99 Mix 12 $42.49

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 93 Points "One of the finest Chateauneufs made by Guigal, the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape is a blend of 85% Grenache and the rest Syrah and Mourvedre. Full-bodied with lots of kirsch, blackberry, raspberry, camphor and licorice, this is a classic example of both Chateauneuf du Pape and Provencal viticulture. It is aged in both tank and foudre for 3-4 years prior to being released. Drink it over the next 20 years. It is amazing that Guigal can consistently produce a wine of this majesty."

2008

 Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Vieilles Vignes 2008

Bottle $110  Mix 6 $99 Mix 12 $93.50

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 92 Points "The 2008 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is a 1,000-case blend of 70% old vine Grenache (60- to 100-year-old vines) and 30% Mourvedre (a much higher percentage than normal). One of the top half-dozen Chateauneuf du Papes of the vintage, it boasts a dark plum/ruby/purple color, full body, light to moderate tannin and lots of white chocolate, licorice, black currant, kirsch, incense and jus de viande characteristics. This beauty can be drunk now or cellared for a decade. It is a remarkable achievement for a vintage such as 2008."

2009

Domaine Solitude Chateauneuf du Pape 2009

Bottle $41.99  Mix 6 $37.79 Mix 12 $35.69

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 91 Points  "The sexiest wine of this quartet is the 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape, which comes from 30-50 year old vines and is aged primarily in tank with a tiny amount of the Syrah component kept in small barrels. The general blend is 55% Grenache, 20% Syrah and the rest Cinsault and Mourvedre. Its dark ruby/purple-tinged color is followed by big, sweet, juicy blueberry, blackberry, kirsch, licorice and smoked Provencal herb scents. Sumptuous, round, generous and already delicious, it is ideal for drinking over the next 10-12 years. "

 Domaine La Roquete Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2009

Bottle $59.99  Mix 6 $53.99   Mix 12 $50.99

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 91 Points "A blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, the 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape reveals a Burgundian-like delicacy with notes of spring flowers, sweet cherries, black currants, forest floor and spice. Medium to full-bodied, elegant, pure and well-balanced, it should drink nicely for 10-12 years. Domaine La Roquete is an up-and-coming producer that appears to be doing everything right now that the Brunier family has had full control for over a decade."

Tanzer IWC 93 Points"Vivid ruby. Dark berries, potpourri and pungent herbs on the highly perfumed nose. Juicy, sweet and vibrant, with impressive clarity to its black raspberry and lavender pastille flavors. Picks up a smoky note with air and finishes with outstanding energy, focus and length. I also had the chance to re-taste the 2008 bottling and it is still a bit bound up, but aeration bring out sweet dark berry fruit and spices. It looks to be on a slow aging curve for the vintage. "

Xavier Avignon Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Anonyme 2009

Bottle $59.99  Mix 6 $53.99 Mix 12 $50.99

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 96 Points "There are approximately 10,000 bottles of the sensational 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Anonyme, which is fashioned from an unusual blend of 25% Grenache, 25% Mourvedre, 25% Syrah and the remaining 25% Counoise, Vaccarese and other authorized varietals. Its opaque purple color is followed by a wine of extraordinary intensity. Copious notes of licorice, garrigue, underbrush, blackberries, black currants and graphite are present in this full-bodied, modern-styled, fragrant, distinctive Chateauneuf. This terrific, voluptuous 2009 should drink well young and last for 15-20 years. This is an up and coming, small, high quality negociant operation run by oenologist, Xavier Vignon and two partners. As I mentioned last year, they have some important clients -- Raymond Usseglio, La Gardine, Jerome Quiot, Beaurenard, La Nerthe, Mont Redon, Marcoux and Grand Veneur, to name some of the more prominent. Tasting through this portfolio in September confirmed the efforts they are making to turn out high quality wines at reasonable prices."

2010

 Alain Corcia Raphael Chateauneuf du pape 2010

Bottle $34.99 Mix 6 $31.49 Mix 12 $29.74

Robert Parker 90 Points "Given the pricing of Corcia's wines, these all represent very good value. The Chateauneuf du Papes are all aged in older Burgundy barrels, and the production in 2010 is especially small because of the poor flowering of the Grenache that year which resulted in a loss of 30-40% of the crop in Chateauneuf du Pape. The other Chateauneuf du Pape cuvees (named after Alain Corcia's wife, children and father) are slightly different blends, but all are essentially the same. They are all medium to full-bodied with the 2010s very primary and slightly more restrained with higher acids as well as darker fruits."

Xavier Chateauneuf du Pape 2010

Bottle $41.99  Mix 6 $37.79 Mix 12 $35.69

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 91+ Points "Richer, fuller and denser is the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape, which is composed of 65% Grenache and the rest equal parts Mourvedre and Syrah. Its dense ruby/purple color is followed by abundant notes of black fruits, licorice, lavender, Provencal herbs as well as a meaty richness."

Chateau La Nerthe Chateauneuf-Du-Pape Les Graniers 2010

Bottle $41.99  Mix 6 $37.79 Mix 12 $35.69

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 92 Points "The 2010 La Nerthe Chateauneuf du Pape exhibits the rare combination of unbridled power and freshness, minerality and abundant aromatics. A well-made, delicious red, with blueberry, boysenberry, black raspberry fruit, some background wood smoke, and the tell-tale Provencal garrigue, pepper and loamy soil notes, it is a wine of finesse, power and richness that should drink nicely for 10 to 15+ years."

Domaine Mathieu Chateauneuf du Pape 2010

Bottle $44.99  Mix 6 $40.49 Mix 12 $38.24

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 90 Points "The gorgeous 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape is a blend of 85% Grenache and the rest Mourvedre and other varieties, all aged in foudres. It offers lots of black currant, kirsch, balsam wood and underbrush notes in a deep, medium to full-bodied, generous, seductive style. Unlike many 2010s that are slightly reserved and closed, this one is wide-open and appealing. Enjoy it over the next 10-12 years."

Chateau Mont Redon Chateauneuf du Pape 2010

Bottle $57.99  Mix 6 $52.19 Mix 12 $49.29

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 93 Points  "An exceptionally strong effort, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape should eclipse the quality, longevity and overall character of the 2009. Its dense ruby/purple hue is followed by notes of cassis, kirsch, lavender, pepper and earth. Deep, full-bodied, textured, pure and long with sweet tannins as well as admirable focus and delineation, it will age gracefully for 15 or more years.

 Tanzer IWC 93 Points "Bright ruby. Sexy aromas of red fruit preserves, potpourri and herbs, with a spicy topnote. Juicy and precise, offering sweet raspberry and cherry flavors and a touch of smoky minerality. Showing impressive finesse and a light touch for the vintage. Very elegant, with a strikingly long, floral-dominated finish and gentle tannins."

 Paul Autard Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee la Cote Ronde 2010

Bottle $57.99  Mix 6 $52.19 Mix 12 $49.29

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 94 Points  "A sensational effort, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee La Cote Ronde reveals a touch of toasty oak in the aromatics, but it is beautifully integrated with kirsch, roasted Provencal herb, espresso and black currant aromas. This full-throttle, masculine and rich wine possesses sweet tannins as well as good integration of structure and acidity. It is built for the long haul, yet can be drunk in 2-3 years or cellared for two decades. " Founded in 1924 by the Autard family, the young generation headed by Paul Autard continues to go from strength to strength, fashioning wines that are modern-styled, yet retain plenty of Provencal authenticity. There 62-acres of vineyards are situated in the commune of Courthezon, in the northeastern sector of Chateauneuf du Pape. Autard's first attempt at a relatively modern-styled Chateauneuf du Pape was the Cuvee La Cote Ronde, which I believe made its debut in 1998. This is an equal part blend of Grenache and Syrah from 65-year-old vines aged in small oak, of which an elevated percentage is new.

2011

Philippine de Saint-Cyrille Chateauneuf du Pape Grande Reserve 2011

Bottle $25.99 Mix 6 $23.39 Mix 12 $22.09

Wine Spectator 91 Points "Gorgeous warm cocoa, ganache and expresso notes lead the way followed by macerated fig, blackberry paste and warm plum sauce flavors. Dense and loamy through the finish. Shows impressive density for the vintage. Drink now to 2026. As you know most CDP's these days sell for $35 and up.  Don't miss out on this great buy on a delicious Chateauneuf that is ready to drink but will also age nicely. "