2018 Ferraton Père et Fils "Les Dionnières" Ermitage ($79.99)

97 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Coming from the more limestone soils of this hallowed appellation, the 2018 Ermitage Les Dionnières reveals a dense purple color to go with beautiful cassis and blackberry fruits interwoven with lots of burning embers, dried herbs, earth, and a touch of chocolate. With full-bodied richness, a round, expansive texture, and building tannins, it's a beautiful, classic, flawlessly balanced Hermitage that will benefit from just short-term cellaring and keep for 20 years or more." (11/2020)

95 points Vinous: "Aromas of ripe, smoke-tinged dark berries, licorice and pungent flowers are sharpened by building mineral and spice flourishes. Broad and fleshy on the palate, offering lush cherry liqueur, blackberry and violet pastille flavors along with cracked pepper and salty olive nuances. Shows impressive energy for its heft and finishes spicy and impressively long, displaying excellent clarity, building tannins and resonating florality. (JR)" (04/2020)

94 points Wine Enthusiast: "Savory, spicy notes of salted licorice and leather accent roasted, richly concentrated flavors of black plum and boysenberry in this wine. Muted by shades of earth and framed by gripping, fiery tannins, its a ripe yet classically rugged expression of Hermitage that will benefit from long cellaring. Approach from 2028. *Cellar Selection* (AI)" (02/2022)

92-94 points Wine Advocate: "The full-bodied 2018 Ermitage Les Dionnières shows the effects of the vineyard location and a hot year in its concentrated scents of black olives, dark chocolate and baked plums. Yet despite the ripeness, this broad, expansive wine is remarkably drinkable, showing a rich, velvety texture and surprising freshness on the long finish. (JC)" (05/2021)

93 points Wine Spectator: "Ripe and seductive in feel, with a lush edge to the mix of cassis, plum puree and crushed cherry fruit. Shows a nice, smoldering tobacco accent along the edges, with a strong tug of dark earth through the finish. (JM)" (08/2021)

2018 Ferraton Père et Fils "Lieu-Dit Les Eygats" Cornas ($49.99)

93-95 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Its saturated purple color is followed by a sexy, opulent, full-bodied Cornas that has abundant notes of blueberries, chocolate, smoked game, and peppery herbs. It has a wealth of texture, which I think at this point conceals plenty of underlying structure." (12/2019)

94 points Vinous: "A highly perfumed bouquet evokes fresh black/blue fruits, exotic spices and incense and takes on a smoky mineral topnote with aeration. Stains the palate with spice-laced blackberry, boysenberry and violet pastille flavors that show a suave mix of richness and energy. Displays fine detail and finishes extremely long and floral, with smooth tannins sneaking in late. (JR)" (04/2020)

93 points Wine Advocate: "Located higher above the village than many of the appellation's other parcels, the 2018 Cornas Lieu-Dit Les Eygats is a beauty, marrying notes of grilled beef with ripe black cherries and adding sexy touches of vanilla and cedar. Full-bodied, plush and concentrated without being heavy, it finishes long, with a dusting of ripe tannins and crushed stone. This is one Cornas that's ripe enough to drink young (preferably with a rare steak), yet should age well for a decade or more. (JC)" (05/2021)

93 points Wine Spectator: "Lively, with a mix of bramble, anise, plum paste and applewood notes that drive along nicely, carried by fresh acidity through the finish. Excellent range and detail. (JM)" (02/2021)

92 points Decanter: "An intriguing blend of blackcurrant fruit, woody herbs and subtle coal smoke. Very round, but not terribly dense or extracted. The vibrant acidity does help to detract from the high alcohol. This has a good sense of purity, and the tannins are grippy and powerful but smooth. The oak is well-integrated. (MW)" (07/2021)

K&L Notes: The history of Ferraton begins in 1946 when it was founded by Jean Orëns Ferraton. Acquiring vineyards in Hermitage, St-Joseph and Crozes-Hermitage. Son, Michel Ferraton joined his father years later and helped expand the estate's holdings. It was not until 1998 when the Godfather of the Northern Rhône, Michel Chapoutier, was welcomed as an investor in the winery and brought along his interests in organic and biodynamic farming. In 2008, oenologist Damien Bresset was added to the team and with his restrained hand, the wine began to truly express the best of the terroirs and their current profiles. Specializing in single site and appellation focused wines, Ferraton has one of the most exciting portfolios in the Northern (and a few surprise Southern) Rhône wines.

2019 Eric & Joël Durand "Les Coteaux" St-Joseph ($29.99)

90-92 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Cut from the same cloth as the 2018, the 2019 Saint Joseph Les Coteaux shows a ripe yet also elegant and lively style that has classic Saint Joseph minerality as well as more blue fruits, violets, and pepper. With moderate tannins and impressive overall balance, its certainly an outstanding bottle of wine that will keep over a decade." (11/2020)

92 points Wine Advocate: "Blueberries and licorice swirl together on the nose of the 2019 Saint Joseph Les Coteaux. Full-bodied and velvety, it's a big, plush example of the appellation, concentrated and rich, with a long, velvety finish. Drink it over the rest of this decade. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes. (JC)" (01/2022)

92 points Wine Spectator: "Fresh and juicy, offering a focused set of cherry and plum paste flavors infused with anise, backed by apple wood and fruitcake accents on the finish, and a nice finishing kick of fruit. (JM)" (08/2021)

K&L Notes: Brothers Eric and Joel Durand took over the family estate in 1991. They now hold 22 hectares of vineyards across the appellations of St-Joseph, Cornas and St-Peray. Les Coteaux is all from granitic slopes with vines aged between 20 to 30 years. Winemaking and aging takes place in a mix of large oak casks, some barriques (mostly used) and some concrete tanks.

John Majeski | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 28, 2022

This nuanced wine reflects the terroir-driven, poised, subtly tannin-inflected style that is both aromatically vibrant and delicious, capable of well aging for a dozen years or more. The Coteaux is a complex tangle of blackberries, damson plums, cherry fruit and licorice, supple and expansive with further touches of black pepper on the lingering finish. Try this wine with a juicy, charbroiled ribeye steak.

2018 Eric & Joël Durand "Empreintes" Cornas ($44.99)

94 points Decanter: "This has a very enticing nose, a touch of spice and polished wood to compliment the fresh blackberry and blackcurrant. Lovely freshness and presence on the palate, it's full-bodied but not thick or heavy. Well-balanced acidity. This is very well judged, with great focus and intensity. I would drink this now and enjoy it's searing, edgy freshness. But it will no doubt age fairly well too. 20- to 30-year-old vines, 20% new oak. (MW)" (07/2021)

92-94 points Wine Advocate: "Nearly as good as the Confidence, the Durands' 2018 Cornas Empreintes is more open and approachable, with sexy blueberry, blackberry and vanilla nuances. It's full-bodied, creamy and plush, with a long, vibrant finish. (JC)" (12/2019)

93 points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2018 Cornas Empreintes offers a riper, more concentrated style, delivering lots of plum and darker currant fruits intermixed with notions of smoked herbs, ground pepper, violets, lavender, and spice box. It's rich, full-bodied, and concentrated, yet the tannins here are more present, and it has a closed, angular style that's going to benefit from bottle age. 93+" (11/2020)

92 points Wine Spectator: "Lush and inviting, with crushed plum and warm blackberry compote notes leading the way, along with sweet bay, anise and violet accents. Has a buried iron hint but this is fairly plush overall for a Cornas. (JM)" (02/2021)

K&L Notes: Brothers Eric and Joel Durand took over the family estate in 1991. They now hold 22 hectares of vineyards across the appellations of St-Joseph, Cornas and St-Peray. Empreintes is from mostly granitic soils with a little clay-limestone on the Lieu-Dit of Chaillot. Vine age ranges between 15-20 years and the wine sees between 15% to 25% new oak depending on vintage.

John Majeski | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 28, 2022

The Empreintes Cornas unleashes a dense array of lush, exuberant black fruits that fill the glass with opulent, deep layers of violets, ripe blackcurrants, peppery spice and lavender, imbued with a fresh cleansing acidity on the textured, velvety rich finish. A perfect pairing? Roasted, rosemary-crusted lamb, or perhaps a savory black bean chili stew.

2018 Eric & Joël Durand "Confidence" Cornas ($54.99)

96 points Jeb Dunnuck: "One of my favorite Cornas, the 2018 Cornas Confidence comes from pure granite soils and was partially destemmed and brought up in 30% new French oak. The 2018 is a head-turner, revealing a dense purple color as well as sensational notes of crème de cassis, smoked bacon, graphite, bouquet garni, and liquid rock-like minerality. Rich, full-bodied, and opulent, with sweet tannins, this is one sexy Cornas that's going to benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and cruise for 10-15 years in cold cellars." (11/2020)

94 points Wine Advocate: "From the family's mature vines (average of 30 years old) on granitic sites, the 2018 Cornas Confidence matured in 30% new oak, yet that has been "soaked up" by the wine to the point that nearly no cedar notes are discernible. Instead, there are scents of crushed stone, dark plum and dusty earth. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it's concentrated and tannic but not unapproachable, with a silky, lingering finish and a sprinkling of ground pepper and aniseed. (JC)" (05/2021)

93 points Wine Spectator: "Lush, with lots of dark plum, raspberry and blackberry compote taking the lead, flecked with sweet bay and rosemary hints that add detail and energy through the finish. Shows a toasty back end, but the fruit wins out easily. For fans of the modern style. (JM)" (02/2021)

93 points Decanter: "A little coffee bean and plum on the nose. Full-bodied, quite dense and velvety on the palate. The oak here is quite marked, more so than the Empreintes cuvée from this domaine. It has good freshness, definition and a long finish. Very ripe and approachable for a Cornas, the tannins are plentiful but soft. (MW)" (07/2021)

Jancis Robinson: "Tasted blind. Black tea aromas on the nose, sweet black fruit and lots of crunchy acidic structure on the finish. Super-youthful, and packed with enough core fruit flavour to age well. (RH)" (10/2019)

K&L Notes: Brothers Eric and Joel Durand took over the family estate in 1991. They now hold 22 hectares of vineyards across the appellations of St-Joseph, Cornas, and St-Peray. Confidence is from gravelly granitic sites from vines between 25 and 30 years of age. The wine sees about 20-30% new oak depending on vintage with the remainder in used oak barriques.

John Majeski | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 28, 2022

The 2018 Eric et Joel Durand Confidence Cornas, was sourced entirely from the steep, grounded granitic soils that are a signature of the finest vineyards in Cornas, a depth-charge immersion on the palate, both cerebral and visceral, body and soul, spine and spirit, a wine that enthralls with purity and elegance. Enwreathed in black fruit aromas and flavors of blackberry, crushed plums, bacon sizzle, black olives and damp, mineral earth, this wine is both voluminous and deeply concentrated, with plenty of oomph to last a few decades. But honestly, its so delicious now in its youth that please dont feel guilty if you uncork it tomorrow! Such exotic flavors could marry an Indian tandoori and live happily ever after.

2019 Domaine Chante Cigale Châteauneuf-du-Pape ($34.99) Wine Club Price: $29.99.

93 points Decanter: "A very well balanced and succulent Châteauneuf with a good length of fruit. It's not the most complex, but it's generously fruity and vibrant. Grenache grown on sand in lieu-dit Pignan. (MW)" (04/2020)

93 points Wine Enthusiast: "Taut, bristling tannins and a rim of tobacco lend an upright feel to rich blackberry and black-fig flavors in this wine. A Grenache-dominant red blended with Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault sourced from a diversity of soils, its a smartly balanced wine calibrating power and ripeness against bright acidity and twists of savory resin, tar and coffee grinds. While tightly wound in youth it should open from 2025 and improve well through 2030. (AI)" (03/2022)

92 points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape (65% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, and 5% Cinsault) offers a wonderfully pure, seamless style that carries lots of black cherry and blackberry fruits as well as Provençal garrigue, saddle leather, and peppery spice. Rounded, seamless, and beautifully done, it's a smoking classic Châteauneuf du Pape to enjoy over the coming 10-12 years." (11/2021)

92 points Vinous: "Spice-accented dark berry and cherry on the nose, along with suggestions of garrigue, baking spices and licorice. Juicy black raspberry, bitter cherry and floral pastille flavors show tight focus and become deeper and sweeter with air. The spicy note resonates on a clinging, energetic finish shaped by smooth, well-knit tannins. (JR)" (10/2020)

K&L Notes: Chante Cigale means singing cicada. The property has been in the same family since the 19th century and is currently run by Alexandre Favier, who assumed the reins at the ripe old age of 20! The domaine is planted to 40 ha of red and 5 ha of white grapes on 45 different parcels throughout the appellation. The red is made with 65% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, and 5% Cinsault and native yeasts. It is matured in a mix of foudres, tanks, and a small amount of new and used barrels. Poised and well balanced, this wine already betrays its depth and complexity with a little decanting time. Pair this with lamb, smoked meats or dishes cooked with wild mushroom.

2016 Domaine Benedetti "Larmes Papales" Châteauneuf-du-Pape ($59.99)

96 points Jeb Dunnuck: "The special cuvée is the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Larmes Papales, 100% Grenache that was brought up in concrete tanks and demi-muids. Just sensational anyway you look at it, with flamboyant notes of blackberries, roasted herbs, melted licorice, and Asian spices, this beauty is ripe, powerful, and full-bodied, with sweet tannin and a great finish. Despite its rich, powerful style, this beauty just glides over the palate. Bravo!" (08/2018)

95 points Wine Advocate: "An impressive pure Grenache from la Crau (ouest), the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape les Larmes Papales aged entirely in demi-muids. Yet the delicacy of its garrigue aromas persist, entwined among silky cherries and raspberries. It's full-bodied but leaves a light impression on the palate, it's pretty fruit underscored by hints of pencil shavings on the long, elegant finish. It's a terrific effort from this largely unheralded producer. (JC)" (08/2018)

K&L Notes: Domaine Benedetti was founded in 1930 when Nicolas Benedetti emigrated from Italy to Chateauneuf-du-Pape and purchased land in his new region. Nicolas was followed by his son Noel and Noel's son, Christian. Christian was the first owner of the estate to stop selling wine to the cooperative and began bottling and selling his own wines. In 2000, the Domaine transitioned to organic farming and over the years has slowly expanded their holdings from just over a hectare each of Chateauneuf and Cote du Rhone, to 4 hectares of CDP and 10 hectares of Cotes du Rhone vineyards. In 2004, Christian's son, Nicolas, joined the domaine after studying oenology and is now overseeing all the winemaking. And finally, in 2021, we struck up a relationship with the Domaine and happily added them to our Direct Import portfolio.

Keith Mabry | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 08, 2022

The Larmes Papales comes out swinging. This rich, saturated red is deeply concentrated showing lush plum and cherry fruit on the nose. Weighty on the palate, this layers flavors of Chambord over tobacco, grilled meat, spices and roasted fennel. Lusty and long, this will age for several more years but it is a show stopper right now! Jeb Dunnuck calls it "sensational" and "flamboyant." I'd add, "hard to resist!"

2016 Domaine Durieu "Lieu-Dit Bois-Lauzon" Châteauneuf-du-Pape ($89.99)

98 points Jeb Dunnuck: "One of those "wow" wines, the 2016 Châteauneuf Du Pape Lieu-Dit Bois Lauzon checks in as 100% old-vine Grenache sourced from a single vineyard located in the northern part of the appellation. It's a powerhouse of a wine, yet its lively and focused, with plenty of elegance as well as purity. Notes of ripe black cherries, blackberries, roasted herbs, licorice, ground pepper, and graphite all emerge on the nose. Full-bodied, concentrated, and flawlessly balanced on the palate, it has ripe yet polished tannins, a terrific mid-palate, and a great finish. This awesome Châteauneuf du Pape will benefit from another 3-4 years of bottle age and is going to keep for another 20 years or more. Bravo to the Durieu family." (04/2021)

K&L Notes: Two estates became one in the 1970s when the Avril and Durieu families married and combined vineyards. The Châteauneuf holdings belonged to the Avril side and many of the vines date back to before the first world war.

2018 Ferraton Père et Fils "Le Méal" Ermitage ($110.00)

97 points Jeb Dunnuck: "There's not much of the 2018 Ermitage Le Méal to go around, but it's a thrilling bottle of wine. Notes of cassis, scorched earth, graphite, and building minerality emerge from the glass, and it's a tight, backward, yet incredibly impressive Hermitage that's going to demand bottle age. Do your best to hide bottles for 5-7 years, and it should keep for 20-25+." (11/2020)

96 points Vinous: "Powerful blueberry and blackcurrant aromas are complicated by suggestions of candied flowers, vanilla and incense and a hint of licorice appears in the background. Stains the palate with alluringly sweet black/blue fruit preserve, spicecake, salty olive and violet pastille flavors that are underscored by a vein of smoky minerality. Blends richness and energy with a sure hand and finishes extremely long and precise, with steadily building tannins adding shape and final grip. (JR)" (04/2020)

96 points Wine Enthusiast: "Matured in oak barrels (30%-50% new) for up to 18 months, this rich, brooding wine throbs with flavors of baked plums and cassis preserves. The ripe, creamy Syrah is structured by flashes of redcurrant acidity and furry, mouthfilling tannins. While its fruit profile is perfumed and forward, the wine needs time to reveal itself fully. Hold till 2025 at least. It should improve well through 2050. *Cellar Selection* (AI)" (02/2022)

93-95 points Wine Advocate: "Now showing more structure than Ferraton's Les Dionnières offering, the 2018 Ermitage Le Méal is dominated by purple raspberries, crushed stone and dried spices. There's a delightful three-way tension among fruit, acid and tannin in this full-bodied wine, giving it a sense of freshness and energy. The tannins are prominent but ripe and velvety in feel, imparting a sense of lushness on the long, fruit-tinged finish. It should be ready to drink within another year or two and then drink well for at least a decade. (JC)" (05/2021)

Jancis Robinson: "Juicy bramble fruit, leathery palate, long and stately on the finish, with semi-firm tannins and powerful, compact fruit that will become much more interesting with time. (RH)" (10/2019)

K&L Notes: John Livingstone-Learmonth for Cradle of the Rhône: "dark red; the bouquet is sturdy, filled, below decks today, has a ripe raspberry, mulberry heart. The palate is robust, with wide shoulders, reaches out with a firm, slightly sparked length. This is very solid, unyielding, a manly wine indeed. It requires five years, patience. It flirts with the heat-drought of the year towards the finish, via dried fruits there, with very intense juice. Thorough, firm Hermitage here, touches of oak on the close. Decant it." (12/2019)

2019 Domaine de la Janasse "Tradition" Châteauneuf-du-Pape - 7 available ($49.99)

95 points Wine Enthusiast: "Thrilling in fruit purity and delicatelymineral, the standard label or traditionbottling of Châteauneuf-du-Pape from La Janasse isa consistent out performer of its peer class. A blendof 65% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 5% Cinsaultmatured with a minimal amount of new oak, itsthrobbing black cherry and plum flavors are powerfulyet pristine. Flecked with hints of crushed saltand smoke, its a silken, delicately tannic sip at peaknow2027 but likely to hold further. *Editors Choice* (AI)" (11/2021)

93 points Decanter: "Full but not heavy, all very well integrated and well balanced. A powerful wine, that has everything in quantity: fruit, freshness, tannin, focus, alcohol and length. A muscle car of a Châteauneuf. (MW)" (10/2020)

93 points Jeb Dunnuck: "I loved the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape, a classic Southern Rhône readers will love to have in their cellars. Medium to full-bodied, incredibly elegant, and even pretty, it has textbook red and black fruits, peppery garrigue, violets, and spice-like aromas and flavors. Its always interesting when tasting through the wines from this estate to see the change in the tannins and just overall level of elegance when you move from their Côtes du Rhône to their Châteauneuf du Papes, and this is unquestionably worth seeking out and cellaring. It can be drunk any time over the coming 20 years." (11/2021)

2019 Domaine de la Janasse "Chaupin" Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Pre-Arrival) ($69.99)

98 points Jeb Dunnuck: "I was able to taste the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Chaupin on two occasions, rating it one point higher on one of those as well. Incredible notes of red and black fruits, violets, scorched earth, ground pepper, and Provençal garrigue notes define the nose, and its a darker, richer, slightly more powerful wine than usual, while still showing the inherent elegance and finesse this cuvée always shows. Give bottles 2-3 years and enjoy over the following 15-20. Dont miss it! (JD) 98+" (11/2021)

98 points Wine Enthusiast: "This Grenache is sourced from the sandy soils of two prized vineyards, La Janasse and La Crau. Redolent of rose petals, smoky tea leaves and black cherry, the deeply penetrating wine pulsates through a long, long finish. Matured 12 months in large-format wood, its pure in fruit and satiny on the palate. Stunningyoung, the wine should gain complexity through at least 2040 and hold much further still. *Editors' Choice* (AI)" (08/2021)

95 points Decanter: "Amazing aerial freshness to the aromas - somehow both full-bodied but weightless with a perfect balance. This is silky smooth, a very elegant wine with a touch of blackcurrant to the raspberry fruits. The alcohol is warming on the finish however. Parcels of Grenache planted on lieux-dits Chapouin, La Janasse and La Crau, the oldest planted in 1912. (MW)" (10/2020)

94 points Wine Advocate: "Marked by scents of garrigue, raspberries and black cherries, the 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Chaupin is full-bodied, rich and tannic but also incredibly ripe and long. The betting here is that the fruit outlasts the tannins and that the wine develops similarly to the stunning 2005. (JC)" (05/2022)

Wine & Spirits: "Entirely grenache, this is based on fruit from a vineyard in the lieu-dit Chaupin that dates to 1912, the balance made up with grenache from sandy parcels of La Janasse and La Crau. It captures the elegant side of grenache, the wine sunny and lifted, with a salty cranberry tang to the sweet, soft cherry fruit. The velvety texture makes it approachable now." (10/2021)

Jancis Robinson: "Tasted blind. Pruney pure nose, wild strawberry and leather. Lovely weight. Finely balanced tannins that are fine and show finesse. A cocoa character with vibrant fruit and plenty of fresh acidity. Nice and fresh style bravo! (AC)" (10/2020)

2019 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes (Pre-Arrival) ($99.99)

98 points Wine Advocate: "Black cherries, blackberries and garrigue all appear on the nose of the dense, concentrated 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes. Yes, the wine boasts some formidable tannins, but they're ripe, and the fruit is vibrant and intense, with all of the ingredients for cellaring up to two decades. With time, it might even approach the performance of the 2009 (99 points) or 2010 (100). (JC)" (05/2022)

98 points Wine Enthusiast: "In contrast to Janasse's varietal Châteauneuf-du-Pape bottlings, this expression of old vines dating as far back as 1920 blends Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and other grapes from four distinct vineyard sites. Matured primarily in foudres, it offers piercing blackberry and black-plum flavors softened by flurries of peppercorn and anise as well as ripe, feathery tannins. Anchored by a firm earthen undertow, the wine will improve through 2040 and hold further. (AI)" (10/2021)

97 points Decanter: "Lovely density of dark fruit, full and weighty on the palate. Powerful, long, concentrated and fresh. The alcohol is a little warming, but generally the impression is one of warmth, generosity and endlessly deep, dark fruit. One for the cellar. Fermented in concrete, matured for 12 months in foudre and demi-muid. (MW)" (10/2020)

97 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Lastly, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes is another tour de force from this estate, who are clearly firing on all cylinders today. A blend of 85% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, and the rest Syrah thats brought up in a mix of foudre and barrel, its deep purple hue is followed by a rich, powerful, full-bodied wine offering ample cassis and darker berry fruits, notes of ground pepper, cured meats, and scorched earth, ripe, building tannins, incredible balance, and a great finish. Its going to flirt with perfection at maturity, and I wouldnt be surprised to see it still drinking brilliantly at age 30. 97+" (11/2021)

95 points Wine Spectator: "Warm and lush in feel, with steeped dark plum, blackberry and açai berry fruit flavors infused with singed savory, licorice root and warm earth notes, offering a late echo of bittersweet Valrhona chocolate. Good underlying grip keeps this honest enough too. (JM)" (10/2021)

2019 Clos Saint-Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Pre-Arrival) ($42.99)

92-94 points Wine Advocate: "Deeper and more concentrated than the 2018, the 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape is as impressive as I can remember this cuvée ever being. Dark in hue, overflowing with dark fruit, full-bodied and velvety in texture, with a long, licorice-tinged finish, this looks very promising. (JC)" (10/2020)

93 points Wine Spectator: "Rich but fresh, with a mix of cassis, dark plum and blackberry purée notes cruising through and enlivened by light garrigue, tobacco and warm stone accents. A savory-laced grip through the finish adds to the level of detail. (JM)" (12/2021)

93 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Moving to the 2019s, this is clearly a gorgeous vintage from this estate, and you cant go wrong with any of these wines. The base 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape has loads of Provençal garrigue, sandalwood, and red and black fruit aromatics as well as a full-bodied, ripe, seamless style on the palate." (11/2021)

2019 Clos Saint-Jean "Combe des Fous" Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Pre-Arrival) ($139.99)

100 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Starting off a trio of truly magical wines, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape La Combe Des Fous checks in as 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and the rest Vaccarèse and Cinsault raised in tank and demi-muids. Sensationally pure cassis and blackberry fruits as well as complex notes of lavender, Provençal garrigue, ground pepper, and flowers all define this full-bodied 2019, which displays the vintages ripe, perfumed style while bringing more finesse, elegant, and purity than just about every other wine out there. Its the finest vintage of this cuvée Ive tasted and has another 15-20 years of prime drinking ahead of it." (11/2021)

94-96 points Wine Advocate: "Plummy and chocolaty yet remarkably vibrant, the 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape La Combe des Fous comes across as richer and more powerful than the 2018. I'm not sure that's a good thing in this cuvée, as it's full-bodied, dense and a bit chunky at the momentcertainly enormously impressive, but without the elegance of the previous vintage. It will be interesting to see how it compares once it's in the bottle.The Maurel brothers went the extra mile to send me tank and barrel samples of their 2019s, so I've included those reviews here alongside the reviews of the bottled 2018s. Both years are successful herethe 2019s maybe slightly denser and more concentrated than the more elegant 2018s, but they aren't always better. This estate has become a model of consistency and excellence. (JC)" (10/2020)

96 points Wine Spectator: "Really enticing, with succulent cherry and raspberry paste flavors taking the lead. Backed by anise, fruitcake and floral notes, this is dense but has inner brightness, as savory and iron details emerge through the finish. Lovely mouthfeel throughout. Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Vaccarèse. Best from 2023 through 2038. J.M." (12/2021)

2019 Clos Saint-Jean "Deus Ex Machina" Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Pre-Arrival) ($149.99)

100 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Also pure perfection in a glass, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Deus-Ex Machina is a 60/40 split of Grenache and Mourvèdre, from tiny yields and the famed La Crau lieu-dit, thats raised in a mix of concrete tanks and demi-muids. My notes on this wine were loaded with expletives and finishes with awesome, just awesome. Blackcurrants, kirsch liqueur, licorice, spiced meat, and Provençal garrigue all define this incredible achievement, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, remarkable purity, building, silky tannins, and a mammoth-sized finish." (11/2021)

95-97 points Wine Advocate: "Much like the La Combe des Fous, the 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Deus Ex Machina seems denser and more concentrated and powerful than the more elegant 2018. Purple fruit and dark chocolate retain a remarkable degree of freshness in this full-bodied, velvety-textured and arguably over-exuberant puppy. There's tremendous material here, compressed into a potent ball of vinous energy that I expect will develop some more nuance and elegance over time. The Maurel brothers went the extra mile to send me tank and barrel samples of their 2019s, so I've included those reviews here alongside the reviews of the bottled 2018s. Both years are successful herethe 2019s maybe slightly denser and more concentrated than the more elegant 2018s, but they aren't always better. This estate has become a model of consistency and excellence. (JC)" (10/2020)

97 points Wine Spectator: "Gorgeous, featuring wave after wave of warmed cassis, cherry purée and plum reduction flavors that just won't quit, though they stay restrained and focused. Sweet tobacco, singed alder, warm stone and bittersweet ganache notes form the detailed backdrop, with a late tug of iron and a flash of Turkish coffee at the end adding a sense of power and gravitas. Grenache and Mourvèdre. (JM)" (12/2021)

2019 Domaine de la Vieille Julienne "Lieu-Dit Clavin" Cotes-du-Rhone (Pre-Arrival) ($29.99)

91 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Moving to the 2019s from bottle, the Côtes Du Rhône Lieu-Dit Clavin always shows the style of this estate as well as the vintage, and the 2019 is well worth seeking out. Black cherries, gravelly earth, spicy herbs, and violet notes give way to a medium to full-bodied, floral, seamless Côtes du Rhône that does everything right." (11/2021)

K&L Notes: Founded in the 17th century, Domaine de la Vieille Julienne farms 50 acres in one single block: red Châteauneuf-du-Pape “Les Trois Sources” and “Les Hauts-lieux”; and red and white Côtes-du-Rhône from “Lieu-Dit Clavin”. The 13.6-acre Lieu-Dit Clavin is planted to Grenache Noir, Cinsault, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Bourboulenc, Clairette, and white Grenache — with vines averaging 85 years in age. All fruit is carefully harvested and sorted entirely by hand. The wine is native yeast fermented, aged for 18 months in foudre, and bottled unfined and unfiltered. All Domaine de la Vieille Julienne wines are Demeter certified.