After a stunning vintage for the Rhône in 2012 and an offer which proved very popular with our customers, we thought we would keep things classic and simple for the 2013 vintage. The offer below comprises two of the very top estates in the southern Rhône. We are pleased to say we have followed and imported both domaines over several decades now. They consistently produce pristine wines with character as well as typicity.
Vignobles Brunier – Daniel Brunier
Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf du Pape 2013 PK6
£145 / €185
“This Châteauneuf du Pape is always a rough blend of 65% Grenache (mostly not destemmed), 15% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre, and the rest Cinsault and other permitted varieties. Aged all in foudre, it offers classic rolled-stone-like minerality, spice, licorice and dark fruits to go with medium-bodied richness and depth, integrated acidity and fine tannin. This will be a classic Châteauneuf du Pape that will evolve nicely for 10-15 years.” (Jeb Dunnock for Robert Parker) RP 91-93 Points. Drink 2015 - 2028
Piedlong Châteauneuf du Pape 2013
£195 / €245
“An old-vine blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Mourvèdre that’s mostly not destemmed, the 2013 Châteauneuf du Pape Piedlong is another rock-solid wine in the vintage. Showing a ripe, textured and sweetly fruited profile, with plenty of berry fruits, roasted spice, dried flowers and black licorice, it too should drink nicely on release and have over a decade of longevity.” (Jeb Dunnock for Robert Parker) RP 8 - 91 Points. Drink 2015 - 2025
Les Pallières Gigondas, Les Racines 2013
£185 / €235
“Has impressive minerality in its dark fruits, pepper and garrigue aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied, ripe and nicely concentrated, it’s a smoking 2013 that will drink well for a decade”. (Wine Advocate, 30 Oct 2014, Jeb Dunnuck). RP Points 89 - 92.Drink 2016 - 2025
Famille Perrin
The Perrin family, now largely under the helm of Thomas, Marc, Pierre and Mathieu, continues to produce some of the top wines, at numerous price points, in the southern Rhône. These wines transcend the vintage. The saving grace here is that Mourvèdre excelled in 2013. Another important point to consider is that the Perrins make multiple passes through each vineyard, sort again by cluster, completely destem all of the grapes and then sort again. It’s this level of control that allows them to get tremendous concentration and purity in these more difficult vintages.
Coudoulet de Beaucastel, Côtes du Rhône 2013
£120 / €150
“The 2013 Coudoulet has a crisp, crunchy feel in its black cherry, pepper and mineral-laced style. There’s good richness and depth here, but it’s a more linear, focused and structured Coudoulet that will benefit from a year or two in the cellar.” (Jeb Dunnuck for Robert Parker) RP 87 - 89 Points. Drink 2016 - 2025.
Château de Beaucastel, Châteauneuf du Pape 2013 PK6
£210 / €265
“Looking at the 2013 Châteauneuf du Pape, I was able to taste the individual components, with each showing fantastic depth and richness. The Mourvèdre is the star of the show and had blockbuster levels of concentration and depth, with perfectly ripe tannin. While certainly not a Grenache year, even this variety showed well here, and it’s obvious that the multiple passes through the vineyard during harvest and then multiple sorts in the winery paid off. This should come together beautifully in bottle and be one of the vintage's strongest efforts.” (Jeb Dunnuck for Robert Parker) RP 92 - 95 Points. Drink 2018 - 2032.
We are selling these wines “en primeur”, meaning ex-Cellar so the prices below do not include VAT or duty both of which are payable at the prevailing rates in the jurisdiction in which you take delivery of the wine. The wines are due to arrive in Belfast in spring 2016. At that time you will be notified of their arrival and asked for storage instructions or onward delivery instructions. You can choose to store them in our Customers’ Reserves area of our bonded warehouse in Belfast or have them delivered.
