Rhone Valley
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The Rhône Valley has produced wine for over 500 years, but a recent
run of terrific vintages has brought the region to the fore. The
richness and spiciness of the red wines are instantly appealing,
while the intense, floral and aromatic whites are a refreshing
alternative to the ubiquitous Chardonnay. Latterly Côtes du Rhône-Villages have been the ones to watch, with appellations such as Seguret, Laudun and Lirac getting closer and closer to the great Southern Rhône wines of Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Croze Hermitage, Domain Pradelle The Pradelle brothers, Jean-Louis and Jacques, run a traditional Domaine based in the best part of the appellation producing a mere 8,500 cases of an outstanding wine a year. This wine is a beautifully crafted deeply coloured red, aged for 9 months in new and old oak barrels. It is made exclusively from the Syrah grape and shows a rich, meaty, smoky aroma and beautiful soft finish. |  |
White
| Price | ||
| 1999 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc, Vieilles Vignes Milliere | £20.80 | |
| Made from a blend of Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc and Roussanne. | Qty | |
| 2005 Condrieu, Chapoutier | £30.40 | |
| Made exclusively from Viognier grown on the slopes of this tiny appellation in the northern Rhône. Extraordinarily intense aromas of apricots and acacia flowers with a rich, full body and lingering finished seasoned with hints of vanilla. | Qty | |
Red
| Price | ||
| 2005 Chateau du Grand Moulas Côtes du Rhône, Ryckwaert - HALF | £4.50 | |
| A medium weight Rhône with spicy overtones. Predominantly Syrah with some Cinsault and Mourvèdre. The vineyards were planted in 1970 in what had previously been an orange grove. | Qty | |
| 2005 Crozes-Hermitage, Domain Pradelle - HALF | £6.30 | |
| The vineyards are in the upper reaches of the appellation bordering Hermitage. Made from 100% Syrah. Deeply coloured with rich dark smoky aromas and a smooth palate. | Qty | |
| 2005 Côtes du Rhône, Les Vins du Troubadour | £6.60 | |
| An aromatic wine with supple fruity aromas and flavours of strawberries and redcurrants. | Qty | |
| 2005 Chateau de Grand Moulas Côtes du Rhône, Ryckwaert | £7.40 | |
| A medium weight Rhône with spicy overtones. Predominantly Syrah with some Cinsault and Mourvèdre. The vineyards were planted in 1970 in what had previously been an orange grove. | Qty | |
| 2004/5 Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Domaine du Rempart - HALF | £8.00 | |
| Based in the southern part of the appellation, Rempart have 12 hectares. This is a blend of 13 varieties, but predominantly Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Aromas of blackcurrant and liquorice with a long silky finish. | Qty | |
| 2004 Côtes du Rhône Villages, Laudun, Chateau Courac | £8.10 | |
| Good depth with concentrated ripe fruit and a rustic edge. | Qty | |
| 2004 Domaine des Mourchon,Tradition, Côtes du Rhône Villages, Seguret | £9.40 | |
| Made with grapes from old Grenache and Syrah vines. This is an oak-aged wine with intense aromas of cooked red fruits laced with liquorice and spice over a backbone of ripe harmonious tannins. Drink now as a hearty partner to red meats and spicy dishes or let the concentrated fruit and tannins mellow for up to ten years. | Qty | |
| 2004/5 Crozes-Hermitage, Domaine Pradelle | £10.60 | |
| The vineyards of Domaine Pradelle are in the upper reaches of the appellation bordering Hermitage. Made from 100% Syrah, this wine is deeply coloured with rich dark smoky aromas and a smooth palate. | Qty | |
| 2004 Gigondas Cuvèe De La Tour Sarrazine, Domaine Clos Des Cazaux | £13.10 | |
| Aromas of pepper and red fruits are intense and persistent on the nose. This wine has a soft, supple almost feminine character compared with the rustic terroir of neighbouring Vacqueyras. | Qty | |
| 2005 Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Domaine du Rempart | £14.80 | |
| Based in the southern part of the appellation, Rempart have 12 hectares. This is a blend of 13 varieties, but predominantly Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Aromas of blackcurrant and liquorice with a long silky finish. | Qty | |
| 2004 Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Vieux Mas des Papes, Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe | £16.50 | |
| 2nd wine of Domaine de Vieux Télégraphe. Deep colour, intense, heady, spicy nose with herbal notes followed by a rich tannic palate. This wine is starting to drink very well, but also has some great aging potential. | Qty | |
| 2004 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Traditionelle, Domaine Font de Michelle | £21.30 | |
| Ripe, rich spicy fruit on the nose and palate. The fruit dominates in its youth, but as it develops the spicier qualities of the Syrah come through. A complex wine that drinks well now. Good weight and balance throughout the palate with a slightly pepperier finish than you would expect. Good length on the finish. | Qty | |
| 2000 Chateauneuf-du-Pape 'le Crau', Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe | £28.40 | |
| From the famous and much praised Daniel Brunier, this is a wine of great prestige. A very deep and dark wine, where the hot microclimate of Le Crau yields wines which are often reserved in youth, but once open show amazing richness and savoury character. A Parker favourite. | Qty | |
| 2001 Chateauneuf-du-Pape 'le Crau', Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe | £29.30 | |
| From the famous and much praised Daniel Brunier, this is a wine of great prestige. A very deep and dark wine, where the hot microclimate of Le Crau yields wines which are often reserved in youth, but once open show amazing richness and savoury character. A Parker favourite. | Qty | |
| 2004 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Cuvée Etienne Gonnet | £32.80 | |
| The Gonnet's top wine. 70% Grenache from 90 year old vines, blended with 15% Syrah and 15 % Mourvedre. Aged in oak for 12 months, a rich, powerful benchmark Chateauneuf du Pape. | Qty | |
| 2003 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Cuvée Etienne Gonnet | £35.50 | |
| The Gonnet's top wine. 70% Grenache from 90 year old vines, blended with 15% Syrah and 15 % Mourvedre. Aged in oak for 12 months, a rich, powerful benchmark Chateauneuf du Pape. | Qty | |
Rosé
| Price | ||
| 2006 Domaine de Mourchon Rose | £8.70 | |
| One of the 16 villages in the Rhone Valley who have the right to call their wine Côtes du Rhône -Villages, this is from the village of Séguret. Produced from 30 year old vines, it is a full bodied and yet refreshing rosé. | Qty | |
Dessert
| Price | ||
| NV Muscat de Beaumes de Venise, Vins du Troubadour | £14.80 | |
| A delicious sweet Muscat, super fresh and aromatic. Contrary to what the name suggests these wines are not 'naturally' sweet but are sweet because the fermentation has been stopped by the addition of brandy. | Qty | |
