Description

Chateau d’Ampuis is the stepping point to the famous LaLa Cote Rotie wines. This is powerful, oak forward and built for the long haul. It is slowly coming around and will be a joy to drink over the next 5-10 years.

A classic producer and negociant family that makes some of the best wines of the Rhone from North to South. The Guigal family made their fame on the back of the much sought-after single vineyard Cote Rotie wines. Their access to great fruit from the best appellations and vineyards means their range is formidable and even their humble Cotes du Rhone is magnificent.

Rhone Valley

One of the great wine regions in the world. Situated along the Rhone river in South East France there is a distinct divide between the Syrah dominant North where the Mistral wind cools and regulates the temperature and the hot lands in the South where Grenache is at its peak. The region produces everything from easy going quaffers to wines that demand long term cellaring. Whites can be outstanding such as Viognier made in Condrieu and Rosé makes a fair impression too

Cote Rotie

The roasted slope. It is the rockstar region of the Northern Rhone which specialises in Syrah occasionally supported by some Viognier. The traditional wines tend to be lean, bony, savoury while the modern wines are ripe, powerful and oaky. Both styles tend to command a high price.

Shiraz/Syrah

A bit of a chameleon, Shiraz can change how it looks depending on terroir and/or wine maker influence. The Syrah based wines of Northern Rhone are dry and austere while the Shiraz of Barossa is rich and fleshy. A variety that lends itself to long aging but can be drunk at any time of its evolution.