{"title":"November 5: Rhone Valley North to South","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"domaine-courbis-saint-joseph-la-cotte-sud-rhone-france-2020","title":"Domaine Courbis, Saint-Joseph 'La Cotte Sud' Rhône, France, 2020","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe origins of the Courbis family estate date back to the 16th century. More recently, the brothers Dominique and Laurent Courbis have succeeded their father, Maurice, who was the mayor of Chateaubourg, their hometown. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll the grapes are harvested by hand and yields are kept to an average of 30 hl\/ha. The fruit is 100% destemmed and the maceration period for the Syrahs lasts between two and three weeks. The wines mature in oak casks which are new or up to three years old. The red wines are fined with egg whites but not filtered and are bottled between two and three years of the harvest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wines of the Courbis estate are some of the most compelling examples of St. Joseph and Cornas being made today. The Courbis brothers have combined their long family experience with a modern style and this has earned them international recognition. Robert Parker sums it up in his book on Rhone wines: “Courbis is a name to watch in the Northern Rhone.” Courbis wines regularly receive rave reviews in Wine Spectator, International Wine Cellar, The Wine Advocate and Revue du Vin de France.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemakers\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLaurent and Dominique Courbis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrapes\/Blend\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSyrah\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eRhône, France\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLa Cotte Sud is from a 1 hectare, south-facing parcel located on the Glun\/Châteaubourg border, 500 meters from the Courbis winery. The vineyard is on a steep slope with a granite-sand-stony soil. Laurent and Dominique planted the vines in 1993 with the hope of eventually producing an exceptional St-Joseph wine that parallels their Cornas La Sabarotte. Prior to 2015, the Cotte Sud fruit was blended into the Domaine’s basic St Joseph. The Courbis brothers chose to launch their new cuvee in extraordinary 2015 vintage because the wine attained quality level they aimed for. It was vinified over 4 weeks in stainless steel tanks to extract as much color and flavor as possible. It was then aged in 50% new and one-year-old oak casks for 16 months and underwent its malolactic fermentation in cask. The Cotte Sud is Courbis’ most dramatic St-Joseph wine. 250 cases produced.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e94 - 96 Points - Jeb Dunnuck\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlso terrific, the 2020 Saint Joseph La Cotte Sud has a riper, spicier style in its red and black fruits, scorched earth, violets, and spicy, incense, and meaty nuances. It's another powerful, concentrated, yet beautifully balanced and impeccably made wine from this team.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e92-94 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStill aging in 50% new oak at the time of my visit, the 2020 Saint Joseph La Cotte Sud—from a hectare of vines planted on south-facing granitic soils in 1986—is a dense, powerful expression of the terroir. Offering up hints of violets and blueberries on the nose, it's fruity and ripe on the full-bodied palate, with plenty of richness on the mocha-tinged finish. It should be bottled in May or June of 2022. It was great to be back at the Courbis's hillside tasting room in the tiny commune of Châteaubourg, hosted by the always genial Laurent Courbis. We started with prepared barrel samples of the 2020s, a vintage which he said, \"[is] ripe but fresh, aromatic, with great balance, similar to 2017.\" We then moved into the bottled 2019s, which are another solid vintage for the Courbis family, although maybe lacking some of the spark of 2020. These are modern, ripe, sometimes oaky wines that I'm sure make some purists wince but which provide immense pleasure and have yet to see prices soar out of reach. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Authentic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48462401339697,"sku":null,"price":57.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/DomaineCourbis_Saint-JosephLaCotteSud_Rhone_France_2020.jpg?v=1710017624"},{"product_id":"pierre-gaillard-operation-dragoon-rouge-cotes-du-rhone-france-2021","title":"Pierre Gaillard, \"Operation Dragoon\" Rouge, Côtes du Rhône, France, 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eCodename for the Allied invasion of Southern France, Operation Dragoon was launched August 15, 1944. During the next month, the French army liberated Toulon and Marseille while the American soldiers advanced National Route 7 with the help of the French Resistance to release the Rhône Valley. This four week campaign, combined with D-Day, was instrumental in the ending of the war. This blend of 70% Grenache, 30% Syrah is the homage to all those people who liberated the Rhone Valley, helping bring peace back to the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen he was 12 years old, he was caught plowing a nearby parcel with a horse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe studied Viticulture and Enology in Beaune, and obtained a Graduate Diploma in Winemaking from Montpellier. Vineyard Manager for a highly-regarded estate in Côte-Rôtie. In 1987, he established his own business in the upper part of the medieval town of Malleval with vineyards in the northern part of the Rhone Valley, ranging from Côte-Rôtie down through Cornas in the South. His wines are generous and express clear and precise fruity aromas, with a profound color and refined tannins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePierre finds his inspiration all the while respecting the \"raw material\" – in other words: the grape harvest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eWinemaker\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003ePierre Gaillard\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e70% Grenache, 30% Syrah\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eRhône, France\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eTerrific value that offers lots of peppery herbs, spice and juicy berry fruit. Medium-bodied, beautifully textured and straight up delicious.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFresh wild strawberries and herbs de Provence with a hint of smoked meat and lavender on the finish. Fine tannins and bright acid. A very clean expression of the Rhone Valley.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e91 Points - Wine Independent\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThe 2021 Operation Dragoon, 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah, is medium garnet-purple in color. It comes skipping out of the glass with bright cheery notes of black raspberries, mulberries, and kirsch followed by hints of black pepper and garrigue. The medium-bodied palate is soft and juicy, with lively red berry flavors and a spicy kick to the finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"USA Wine West","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50963078742321,"sku":null,"price":22.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Pierre_Gaillard_Operation_Dragoon_Rouge_Cotes_du_Rhone_France_2021.jpg?v=1742328034"},{"product_id":"jean-louis-chave-selection-farconnet-hermitage-rhone-valley-france-2021","title":"Jean-Louis Chave Sélection, \"Farconnet\" Hermitage, Rhône Valley, France, 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eGoing back to 1481, when the first Jean-Louis Chave was gifted a vineyard in St Joseph by the nobleman Farconnet, 25 generations have farmed some of the best parcels in the Northern Rhône. Though now known as perhaps the best producer of Hermitage (and certainly among the best blenders in the world), the family only expanded to this famous hill during the mid-1800s wave of phylloxera that decimated Europe's vineyards. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the 1970s, when Gerard Chave took over from his father, the domaine rapidly achieved megastar status due to the extraordinary quality of his wines. Gerard's son Jean-Louis (25th of his name) now oversees the estate and has shown an ever expanding dedication to improving the already stunning quality of these rare wines. Jean-Louis Chave regularly dedicates the domaine to intense and exacting projects, the benefits of which will be seen by future generations. Indeed, the estate employs three full time stonemasons just to repair the traditional stone walls dotting the vineyards. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince the 1990s, Jean-Louis Chave has offered a second label known as 'J.L. Chave Sélection' that provides a glimpse of the reason for the estate's fame at a fraction of the price. Many of these wines are from declassified estate wine and long term farming contracts, and are vinified in the domaine's primary cellar in Mauves. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFarconnet\u003c\/strong\u003e was the name of a nobleman back in the time of JeanLouis Chave’s great grandfather. He was actually the man from whom the great grandfather bought the Bessards parcel.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cem\u003eClick \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/6PUKo9d8jjk\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e to watch our YouTube video about this wine!\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWinemaker\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eJean-Louis Chave\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eHermitage AOC, Rhône Valley, France\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrapes\/Blend\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSyrah\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eAn adept Syrah, dense aromas of cigar box live large on the palate magnified by dollops of white pepper, thick with crushed plums and a youthful, roughened texture. This is a dark Hermitage, sinful to drink now, but one that will reward after years in the cellar. The Syrah for this wine comes from three unique sites on Hermitage Hill. Three different soils' compositions impart individual attributes to the wine. Sandy clay and pebbly soils from the base of the hill provide notes of peppery spice and sand; limestone, from a site further up the hill, provides elegant structure; and from Greffreux, at the base of Le Meal, large river stones impart the flesh and substance in this hearty red. Chave always vinifies very traditionally, using old oak vats.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e93 Points - Wine Spectator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Shiverick","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51255917379889,"sku":null,"price":80.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Jean-LouisChaveSelection_FarconnetHermitage_RhoneValley_France_2021.jpg?v=1784084653"},{"product_id":"domaine-de-la-charbonniere-chateauneuf-du-pape-cuvee-mourre-des-perdrix-rhone-france-2022","title":"Domaine de la Charbonnière，教皇新堡，罗讷河谷，法国，2010","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003e葡萄酒概述\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e1912 年，Eugene Maret 购买了 Domaine de la Charbonniere 作为礼物送给他的妻子，他的妻子是 Chateauneuf 人，也是一位酿酒师的女儿。他们的儿子费尔南·马雷特继承了酒庄的一部分，并在儿子米歇尔出生后扩大了酒庄的规模。\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e如今，米歇尔·马雷 (Michel Maret) 拥有超过 16 公顷的葡萄园，位于 Les Brusquieres 和 La Crau 的高原上，这两个高原都覆盖着著名的 cailloux roulets，而 Mourre des Perdix 则是沙质土壤，上面点缀着较大的石头。\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n \u003cp\u003e酿酒师的热情和专业知识、手工采摘的水果以及在酒庄的仔细分类，使米歇尔·马雷 (Michel Maret) 能够充分发挥这一伟大产区的所有潜力。\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e酒庄的酿造遵循经典风格：不除梗，在不锈钢桶中发酵三周，然后在大橡木桶中陈酿 12-18 个月。\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003e葡萄\/混酿\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e罗纳红混合酒；大多数歌海娜\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\" data-mce-style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e起源\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e教皇新堡，罗纳省，法国\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003e品酒笔记\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e2010 年教皇新堡传统葡萄酒和经典葡萄酒的味道都非常美妙。它们有风格、性格、成熟的果实和陈年能力。在最高端，其中一些葡萄酒已经突破了排行榜！每一次嗅、旋转和啜饮都会让您想要一次又一次地品尝葡萄酒。它们是郁郁葱葱、感性的、丰富复杂的葡萄酒，在任何葡萄酒产区的任何年份中都很少见。\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e \u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\" color=\"#000000\" data-mce-style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"caret-color: #000000;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e90 分 - 罗伯特帕克的葡萄酒倡导者\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e2010 年教皇新堡葡萄酒不仅是一款出色的作品，而且具有极高的价值。其深红宝石\/紫色的颜色伴随着大量的壤土、灌木丛、森林地面、樱桃酒、甘草和烤肉的特征。酒体饱满、层次分明，葡萄酒在口中逐渐形成，展现出相当的纯度、余味和质感。其适宜饮用期为 10-15 年。\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e产品规格：750ml\u003cbr\u003e来自私人卖家。\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Grapex","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51306356441393,"sku":null,"price":72.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Domaine_de_la_Charbonniere_Cuvee_Vieilles_Vignes_Chateauneuf_du_Pape_Rhone_France_2022.jpg?v=1746123623"},{"product_id":"pierre-gaillard-operation-dragoon-rouge-cotes-du-rhone-france-2023","title":"Pierre Gaillard, \"Operation Dragoon\" Rouge, Côtes du Rhône, France, 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eCodename for the Allied invasion of Southern France, Operation Dragoon was launched August 15, 1944. During the next month, the French army liberated Toulon and Marseille while the American soldiers advanced National Route 7 with the help of the French Resistance to release the Rhône Valley. This four week campaign, combined with D-Day, was instrumental in the ending of the war. This blend of 70% Grenache, 30% Syrah is the homage to all those people who liberated the Rhone Valley, helping bring peace back to the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen he was 12 years old, he was caught plowing a nearby parcel with a horse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe studied Viticulture and Enology in Beaune, and obtained a Graduate Diploma in Winemaking from Montpellier. Vineyard Manager for a highly-regarded estate in Côte-Rôtie. In 1987, he established his own business in the upper part of the medieval town of Malleval with vineyards in the northern part of the Rhone Valley, ranging from Côte-Rôtie down through Cornas in the South. His wines are generous and express clear and precise fruity aromas, with a profound color and refined tannins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePierre finds his inspiration all the while respecting the \"raw material\" – in other words: the grape harvest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eWinemaker\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003ePierre Gaillard\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e70% Grenache, 30% Syrah\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eRhône, France\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThe Operation Dragoon Côtes du Rhône reveals beautiful aromas of cherries, cranberries and red plums. Layers of baking spice, pepper, violets and wild sage build on the nose. The palate exhibits great purity and is complimented by a pleasingly soft texture and delicious finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e91 Points - Wine Independent\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThe 2021 Operation Dragoon, 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah, is medium garnet-purple in color. It comes skipping out of the glass with bright cheery notes of black raspberries, mulberries, and kirsch followed by hints of black pepper and garrigue. The medium-bodied palate is soft and juicy, with lively red berry flavors and a spicy kick to the finish. 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