Rating: 91 Points (Jeb Dunnuck)
“Leading off the two Vacqueyras releases, the 2015 Vacqueyras Château Mazane is a beautiful blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre. Offering classic notes of garrigue, pepper, toasted spices and assorted red fruits, it’s medium-bodied, elegant and polished on the palate, with terrific balance. Drink it through 2025.”
Rating: 91 Points (Richard Jennings – Wine Critic)
“Medium dark golden color with 1 millimeter clear meniscus; sunflower oil, fino sherry, savory, VA nose; rich, oily textured, cashew, cashew butter, tart peach, apricot palate; long finish (would pair well with blue cheese, gorgonzola and marconi almonds).”
Winery Notes:
“Rich, meaty and solidly put together, Mercurey, secure in its position among the royalty of wines, brings out the best from beef rib steaks, or joints of beef or lamb, braised or in sauce. Roast pork is well suited to its rich aromas, as are poultry-based stews. Exotic dishes likewise, prove worthy partners for this wine. As for the cheeseboard, this wine harmonizes equally well with either mild, soft cheeses or aged versions.”
Rating: 94-96 Points (Wine Advocate)
“A smoking good red from the schist soils of the fabulous appellation, the 2015 Faugeres Rarissime checks in as a mix of 88% Syrah, 6% Grenache and 6% Mourvèdre. It delivers stunning notes of cassis, currants, leather, licorice and spice in a full-bodied, supple, pure and elegant style that carries its weight and richness effortlessly. This is a serious, knockout bottle of wine!”
“Gilles Dumangin's delicious Ratafia Champenois (Ratafia de Champagne), made from grape must 'fortified' with Champagne alcohol, has a lovely tawny colour and rich, complex dried fruit flavours. Gilles recommends serving it with melon, cheese and chocolate desserts.”
Rating: 94 Points (Wine Spectator)“Alluring, with dark cherry, raspberry and blackberry puree flavors that are streamlined in feel, flecked with anise, mesquite and fruitcake hints as they drive through the focused finish. Finely beaded acidity keeps everything in place. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Best from 2022 through 2038. 1,555 cases made, 500 cases imported.”
Rating: 91 Points (Jeb Dunnuck)“The base cuvée from this terrific producer, the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape has a relatively modern style in its black raspberry and cassis-driven fruits as well as subtle hints of background oak, vanilla, scorched earth, and white flowers. Beautiful on the palate as well, with medium to full-bodied richness and a seamless, elegant texture, It’s very much in the style of this charming, front end-loaded vintage, and while it’s already hard to resist, I suspect it’s going to drink nicely for 10-12 years. This cuvee is 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre, aged 14 months in barrels, 50% being new.”
Critical Acclaim (Wine Advocate)
"Cristia's 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape boasts scents of cola, garrigue, raspberries and black cherries. Mainly tank-aged Grenache, with small amounts of barrel-aged Mourvèdre and Syrah, it's medium to full-bodied, moderately concentrated and dusted with ripe tannins. The house style is one of sandy-soil elegance, and that's reflected in this entry-level cuvée, which finishes long and silky."
Rating: 90 Points (James Suckling)
A red with plenty of blueberry and blackcurrant character on the nose and palate. Full body, fine tannins and a pretty integration of fruit, acidity and tannins. Better in 2016 but delicious already. Second wine of Rauzan-Ségla.
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