France - Rhone Valley

I spent a bit of time in the Rhone Valley over the summer. It is remarkable how the country changes once you get south of Lyon. The countryside becomes wilder and more arid, the earth seems baked and the heat assaults all the senses. Even the people seem different from their more northerly neighbours, they are truly rustic and wild. This almost feral quality is reflected in the region's wines, which are redolent of the smells and intense heat of the garrigues. During my tour I tasted numerous wonderful wines, and I feel that this area offers some of the best value wines in France, if not in the world. I have selected a range of wines from producers who offer character and value.

Gonnet Freres
The Gonnet brothers are keen rugby players, so I have a natural affinity with them, but their wines are superb. A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault, their Cotes du Rhone is a classic Rhone blend.

Cotes du Rhone, 2007 £58.38 per case of 6
Packed with spicy, juicy fruit, well structured, with great Rhone typicity.

Domaine Alain Paret
Situated on the right bank of the Rhone, some 30km south of Vienne, the Paret vineyards are planted on the vertiginous slopes around the medieval village of Malleval. Alain’s passion is for Syrah and Viognier. The steepest of his vineyards falls inside the appellation of St Joseph. This is Les Larmes du Pere (father’s tears) and the name reflects the labours of his ancestors in cultivating these slopes. The Viognier and Syrah are classic Rhone wines at a competitive price. Alain’s Condrieu made such an impression on Gerard Depardieu, that the actor invested in the winery and the two are now partners.

Paret Pastourou Viognier, 2009 VdP £118.72 per case
Floral aromas give way to soft, peachy fruit on the palate. Honeyed fruit is balanced by fresh acidity.

Paret Valvigneyre Syrah, 2007 Cotes du Rhone £120.59 per case
Rich, spicy Syrah, with hints of tobacco and pepper. Soft, velvety tannins add backbone to the opulent fruit.

Paret St Joseph, Les Larmes du Pere, 2008 £200.04 per case
This displays spice and dark fruit, but with the added elegance that comes from this part of the northern Rhone.

Paret Condrieu, Les Ceps du Nebadon, 2009 £174.24 per case of 6
A great example of the Viogner grape, grown in it's ideal location. Dry, but with honeysuckle aromas, and flavours of white peach undercut by hints of oak and citric acidity.

Chateau Mont-Thabor, Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Daniel Stehelin produces traditional Chateauneuf-du-Pape on his estate at Chateau Mont-Thabor. The blend is 70% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 5% Mourvedre/Cinsault. A long fermentation is followed by 15 months maturation in 3 year old oak. The wines are bottled without filtration. The resulting wines are concentrated and complex. Daniel consistently achieves scores in the 90’s from Robert Parker, and includes Jancis Robinson in his fanbase.

Chateau Mont-Thabor, 2006 £155.70 per case of 6
A muscular Chateauneuf. Rich concentrated fruit, with hints of tobacco, coffee and pepper. The tannins are soft and ripe, which will allow the wine to develop for several years.