To learn about the Northern Rhone region of France and discover 12 top Northern Rhone Cellar Defenders, please watch this video: ruclips.net/video/M8kDEnNfvuM/видео.html
I’m so thankful you talk about one of my fave regions! Chateauneuf-du-pape at The Rhône Valley!!! Those wines you talk about are so intense, powerful, elegant and so many adjectives that you well describe! Those cellar defenders are a great gift John. And when you talked about Châteaux Rayas I couldn’t get more nostalgic because my dad had the 1971 Reserve… After that, it was difficult to find a wine that could be compared to it. I’m so happy you mention these ones that are more affordable so I can have my hands on this gems again!! I was lucky to have 2000 Ch Rayas no long ago. But this wasn’t the greatest to be honest. WoW John so much knowledge shared and so many memories you brought back… You are the best! Santé🍷
My goodness, such a tremendous primer on one of my all-time favorite wines and appellations! Extremely impressive content and all excellent recommendations! From the producers to the vineyards, climate, and terroir vintages, your recommendations and pieces of advice are proof of your profound knowledge, experience, and expertise when it comes to Châteauneuf-du-Pape. I’ve explored the village and visited some wineries there, some years ago, and certainly your video brings back many WINEderful memories. My other comment would have to be about the setting and the backdrop of this video.😁 Very much enjoyed and appreciated the changing of background visuals from daytime to evening and also the hotel interiors. Like the best and finest CdP wines, this video has the perfect balance among visual appeal, verbal eloquence, writing and delivery excellence, and content expertise. Felicitations et Santé, John!
Merci beaucoup Margaux! Very glad you enjoyed it! One of my favorite regions as well! Glad you enjoyed the backdrop too! Actually recorded straight through late afternoon, but the sun sets early in Dubai! Santè!
Great video, and includes some producers I haven’t tried. I always very much appreciate that you cover the high end, but also make sure to include cellar defenders. I have put your advice into practice many times since finding your channel. Southern Rhone wines were my first true love in the world of wine. Great value can be found at every price point. I was fortunate enough to have a tour and tasting at Beacuastel, which was one of the greatest wine experiences I’ve ever had. And while I love CdP, I also hold Gigondas in very high regard as well. At around $30-$35 (perhaps $40 now - they’re creeping up) it’s difficult to find another region which delivers as much. On top of that, I spent a few days there in 2017. It’s an absolutely spectacular village and setting, so perhaps sentimental reasons also play a part in my affinity for them.
Hi Attorney Somm, Apologies in advance, but I have an old and tired question relating to drinking windows. On the strength of the 2016 vintage I bought 6 bottles of the Cuvee Chaupin. How long can Grenache like this age? It's an atypical grape for my cellar. Cheers, RG
Excellent vid, thank you. These wines age very well too - my 1995 and 1998 Pegau still drinking beautifully. For another talk how about Bandol - the ultimate Mourvèdre wine.
Great video and excellent channel. If I may make a suggestion on future video topic: recommended years after vintage to open; shutdown period of age-able red wines. My interests are specifically brunellos and left bank Bordeaux. I believe I'm not the only person who stocked up on 2015/2016 vintages of these wines and becoming inpatient but afraid to drink what people call "shut down" wines. Looking forward to your insights on this topic. Thank you.
Thanks very much! Definitely a fascinating topic! I’ll give that some thought for sure. Certainly great vintages. I had a 2000 Bordeaux that was shut down last week and which got me thinking about this topic too.
Coveted collectibles and cellar defenders? I wish my trip to Southern Rhône was next month and not seven years ago.😁 You know full well how much I love Châteauneuf-du-Pape so, yes, I really enjoyed this video though I’m not yet done watching. Excellent explanation of the terroir and climate. I have experienced the notorious Mistral winds some years ago in one of the wine villages in Rhone Valley, and I can understand how damaging they can be. More comments to follow over the next few days! Santé, John!
Niceee, some heavy hitters there. I’m a big fan of CdP and am usually in the region every year. There are sooooo many excellent producers there that deliver the goods that these big names bring to the table too!
Great area with plenty of variety and variation. The 2014 Janasse Prestige Blanc was the first white CnP I had. Really made me look for other Rhône roussanne based wines. Especially those with a little bottle age.
From France I was on holidays last october near C9P (as we say in french) and I completly agree with this video. White Clos des Papes is stunning, believe me
Great video! I'm a big Grenache fan myself, though I rarely drink CdP because I prefer the grape's lighter side (unfortunately I can't afford Rayas!). I do enjoy View telegraphs La Crau from time to time. Two comments/questions. 1- You forgot to mention the Beaucastel Roussanne Vielles Vignes. An amazing wine (though not cheap)! 2- Have you ever had Chapelle St Theodoric? If so, what are your thoughts? It's a lighter take on CdP, and according to some, in the vein of Rayas. I really like it myself, though can't speak personally to it's degree of Rayas similarity.
Thanks! Yes, I should have mentioned the Vielles Vignes. That is an excellent wine, albeit another pricy one that is hard to source. I enjoy VT La Crau as well, but featured that in another video and did not want to have too much duplication. Have not tried Chapelle St. Theodoric yet, but sounds like I need to change that! Appreciate you weighing in. Cheers!
For those looking for value in GSM blends from the Southern Rhone, Gigondas offers a flavor profile very similar to CdP, and much better QPR. The town itself offers a tasting room that represents nearly all of the appellations producers, and has a variety of small, charming restaurants. It’s a great day trip from Avignon or Orange.
i've gone back to drinking cdp after a lot of burgundy the past couple of years, prices aside, cdp are just such uncomplicated fun, irresistible. interesting you mentioned '18 pegau as a one of the favorite, it's considered a poor vintage for cdp in general
Helpful video:) I don’t have many CDP’s in my collection, but was gifted a 2015 Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe. In your opinion is this this a drink, hold…or merely a cellar defender ?
Hi John. Have you tried Mont Redon Le Plateau? I have a chance to buy the 2016 for about £80. The 2020 Beaucastel is going for £60 and I am undecided between the two. Thanks for your help.
@@AttorneySomm The deed is done. Two bottles of Beaucastel, 2020, on their way. I also looked at your favourite, Clos des Papes but that was about £25 pb more expensive and I doubt my palate would be up to detecting the quality difference, especially in isolation. I will now have to exercise the patience of Job, at least until 2030. Thanks again for the advice.
Great question! Personally I would go with Clos des Papes. But if you are averse to Grenache then Beaucastel would be the better choice. Beaucastel uses more Mourvedre and Syrah in its blend.
I love one wine you did not mention: Beaucastels Blanc Roussanne Vieilles Vignes They do not produce a lot of it and it is quite pricy for a pure Roussanne.
Great video as always AS! For me Grenache = blah but certainly tried lots of nice beaucastel from the 80’s and early 90’s… mid 90s and up is a hard pass for me
Alright, here we go(I like being corrected, especially for Italy-Boschis=Bo-ski, not Bo-cheese, Rocche=Ro-kay. And France-Eschezeaux. Burghound's, favorite mispronunciation, Ek-ee-zoo). --Rayas(Rah-yahs, not like Texas, "Reyes") No mention of Fonsalette($200 on release, older vintages, $400+ for a Cotes du Rhone?? It was $20 in 1989), perhaps because it's Syrah and just outside of CdP? Not long-aging, about the same as a Crozes Hermitage. --Pegau: Pay-GO is the Paris pronunciation. But they are in the South with a twang, Pay-GOW. Just like Natchitoches in Louisiana is Na-gah-titch. --Beaucastel: The Rousanne VV is usually about 3-4 points better than the Blanc, but it's Twice the price. --Best off-vintage CdP: Henri Bonneau, Celestins. But $400 even in off-vintages. Long aging(10-30 years). Kind of a cross between Rayas & Pegau Da Capo.
Thanks for weighing in. There is a difference in pronunciation for Pegau even within the family. They told me at the winery either is fine. I pronounced it the other way in earlier videos and was blasted by French pronunciation police.
@@AttorneySomm--I believe Laurence went to school in Paris. It's even more important in Europe to show breeding(London/BBC, not Cockney). That's the story I've heard. Newscasters and actors are taught to lose their accent. In Moscow, Stalin was made fun of(behind his back, of course), for speaking like a country bumpkin. And there must have been a King/Queen of Spain with a bad lisp. Now, when I was in school at Haah-vaahd...
@@AttorneySomm--The example I just remembered: Is the city in TX called Hyoo-ston? Or is it the way Noo Yawkahs pronounce it like their street, How-ston?(named that in 1788). Which way would the French Pronunciation Police say it in TX?
American consumers are being ruthlessly ripped-off on price. Who is applying such huge margins? Prices in restaurants are absolutely barking mad expensive. Decent French wines often less expensive than indifferent American alternatives. As they say in the States - go figure. But ALL prices are outrageous. And in restaurants figure an additional 20% tip, on top of what is already a huge bill.
Completely agree with you. That is why I typically go to restaurants where I can BYO in the US or I get takeaway. When I go to a US restaurant, I often get cocktails.
@@AttorneySomm I love America and Americans. What staggers me is the wine naïveté and meek acceptance of rip-off prices, by seemingly educated Americans. The standard 20% expected 'tip' is just robbery. At the outrageous prices restaurants charge, they should be able to pay staff a living income. And I comment - inexpensive European and UK food is usually better, albeit half the quantity on the plate (thank goodness).
@@AttorneySomm Well, it's accelerating trend. You either capitulate, or you take a stand. As a visitor to America, I'm not alone in being put off by the self-imposed tipping blackmail. Recipients hold out their hands at every thin opportunity. Here in the UK fewer and fewer people actually carry cash. Cabs take cards and tipping by nationals is uncommon. No delivery man to the door considers waiting for a tip. It's not meanness, it's simply that their employers are expected to provide their income. The job market's income proposition dictates employment/ job take-up.
To learn about the Northern Rhone region of France and discover 12 top Northern Rhone Cellar Defenders, please watch this video:
ruclips.net/video/M8kDEnNfvuM/видео.html
Really enjoyed the video. Probably the most underrated wine region in France. Your comments about Pegau and Beaucastel are spot on.
Thank you! Very much appreciated! Completely agree. 👍🍷
Excellent class. Congrats!
Thanks very much! Appreciate the kind feedback!
Thanks! Using your advise to get into Pape.. much appreciated. Very valuable advise!
Thank you! A terrific region. Just helps to know what to look for. Cheers! 👍🍷
I’m so thankful you talk about one of my fave regions! Chateauneuf-du-pape at The Rhône Valley!!! Those wines you talk about are so intense, powerful, elegant and so many adjectives that you well describe! Those cellar defenders are a great gift John. And when you talked about Châteaux Rayas I couldn’t get more nostalgic because my dad had the 1971 Reserve… After that, it was difficult to find a wine that could be compared to it. I’m so happy you mention these ones that are more affordable so I can have my hands on this gems again!! I was lucky to have 2000 Ch Rayas no long ago. But this wasn’t the greatest to be honest. WoW John so much knowledge shared and so many memories you brought back… You are the best! Santé🍷
Thanks very much Gabriela! Very pleased you enjoyed the video! One of my favorite regions too! Cheers!
My goodness, such a tremendous primer on one of my all-time favorite wines and appellations! Extremely impressive content and all excellent recommendations! From the producers to the vineyards, climate, and terroir vintages, your recommendations and pieces of advice are proof of your profound knowledge, experience, and expertise when it comes to Châteauneuf-du-Pape. I’ve explored the village and visited some wineries there, some years ago, and certainly your video brings back many WINEderful memories. My other comment would have to be about the setting and the backdrop of this video.😁 Very much enjoyed and appreciated the changing of background visuals from daytime to evening and also the hotel interiors. Like the best and finest CdP wines, this video has the perfect balance among visual appeal, verbal eloquence, writing and delivery excellence, and content expertise. Felicitations et Santé, John!
Merci beaucoup Margaux! Very glad you enjoyed it! One of my favorite regions as well! Glad you enjoyed the backdrop too! Actually recorded straight through late afternoon, but the sun sets early in Dubai! Santè!
@@AttorneySomm My pleasure, John! Yes, that’s what I thought so, too - recording straight. Gorgeous views!😊
little late to the party, but i have been enjoying ur videos. Your grape breakdown is second to none
Thanks very much! Very glad to hear it! Appreciate the kind feedback. Cheers!
Great video, and includes some producers I haven’t tried. I always very much appreciate that you cover the high end, but also make sure to include cellar defenders. I have put your advice into practice many times since finding your channel.
Southern Rhone wines were my first true love in the world of wine. Great value can be found at every price point. I was fortunate enough to have a tour and tasting at Beacuastel, which was one of the greatest wine experiences I’ve ever had.
And while I love CdP, I also hold Gigondas in very high regard as well. At around $30-$35 (perhaps $40 now - they’re creeping up) it’s difficult to find another region which delivers as much. On top of that, I spent a few days there in 2017. It’s an absolutely spectacular village and setting, so perhaps sentimental reasons also play a part in my affinity for them.
Thank you! Completely agree re Gigondas! Featured that region heavily in my recent underrated wine video. Cheers!
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!
Completely agree re Gigondas. Featured them heavily in a recent video on underrated wines. Cheers!
I remember that now that you mention it! I’ll have to watch it again. Always looking for categories that over deliver.
Great video again, sir!
Thank you kindly! Cheers!
Very good review of CDP. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience.
My pleasure! Glad it was useful. Thank you!
Hi Attorney Somm,
Apologies in advance, but I have an old and tired question relating to drinking windows.
On the strength of the 2016 vintage I bought 6 bottles of the Cuvee Chaupin.
How long can Grenache like this age? It's an atypical grape for my cellar.
Cheers,
RG
Hello! No worries at all. I had an 05 a few years ago that still showed well. 10-12 years post-vintage should be safe.
Excellent vid, thank you. These wines age very well too - my 1995 and 1998 Pegau still drinking beautifully. For another talk how about Bandol - the ultimate Mourvèdre wine.
Thank you! Yes Bandol is terrific! Appreciate the suggestion! 👍🍷
Great video and excellent channel. If I may make a suggestion on future video topic: recommended years after vintage to open; shutdown period of age-able red wines. My interests are specifically brunellos and left bank Bordeaux. I believe I'm not the only person who stocked up on 2015/2016 vintages of these wines and becoming inpatient but afraid to drink what people call "shut down" wines. Looking forward to your insights on this topic. Thank you.
Thanks very much! Definitely a fascinating topic! I’ll give that some thought for sure. Certainly great vintages. I had a 2000 Bordeaux that was shut down last week and which got me thinking about this topic too.
Coveted collectibles and cellar defenders? I wish my trip to Southern Rhône was next month and not seven years ago.😁 You know full well how much I love Châteauneuf-du-Pape so, yes, I really enjoyed this video though I’m not yet done watching. Excellent explanation of the terroir and climate. I have experienced the notorious Mistral winds some years ago in one of the wine villages in Rhone Valley, and I can understand how damaging they can be. More comments to follow over the next few days! Santé, John!
Merci beaucoup Margaux! Hopefully you will be able to revisit! So glad you enjoyed it! Appreciate the kind words. Santè!
@@AttorneySomm My pleasure! Yes, hopefully, but you know how it is - so many wine destinations, so little time.😅
Super informative thank you
Very glad it was helpful! Thank you.
Niceee, some heavy hitters there. I’m a big fan of CdP and am usually in the region every year. There are sooooo many excellent producers there that deliver the goods that these big names bring to the table too!
Thanks for weighing in. Lots of excellent producers! Could have made it an hour! Did a cellar defender before with a few other names before.
PS, I do not agree that there is anything close to Rayas. It is in a league of its own in CDP in my view.
Great area with plenty of variety and variation. The 2014 Janasse Prestige Blanc was the first white CnP I had. Really made me look for other Rhône roussanne based wines. Especially those with a little bottle age.
Thank you! Completely agree with you. Lots of tremendous white wines too. Cheers!
From France
I was on holidays last october near C9P (as we say in french) and I completly agree with this video.
White Clos des Papes is stunning, believe me
Thank you kindly! Cheers! Very glad you concur! 👍🍷
@@AttorneySomm ☺
Great video! I'm a big Grenache fan myself, though I rarely drink CdP because I prefer the grape's lighter side (unfortunately I can't afford Rayas!). I do enjoy View telegraphs La Crau from time to time. Two comments/questions. 1- You forgot to mention the Beaucastel Roussanne Vielles Vignes. An amazing wine (though not cheap)! 2- Have you ever had Chapelle St Theodoric? If so, what are your thoughts? It's a lighter take on CdP, and according to some, in the vein of Rayas. I really like it myself, though can't speak personally to it's degree of Rayas similarity.
Thanks! Yes, I should have mentioned the Vielles Vignes. That is an excellent wine, albeit another pricy one that is hard to source. I enjoy VT La Crau as well, but featured that in another video and did not want to have too much duplication. Have not tried Chapelle St. Theodoric yet, but sounds like I need to change that! Appreciate you weighing in. Cheers!
I love the Burj Khalifa flex in the background 👌🏽
Thank you! A nice view this trip. 👍🍷
For those looking for value in GSM blends from the Southern Rhone, Gigondas offers a flavor profile very similar to CdP, and much better QPR. The town itself offers a tasting room that represents nearly all of the appellations producers, and has a variety of small, charming restaurants. It’s a great day trip from Avignon or Orange.
Thanks for weighing in. Gigondas is fantastic! My recent video on underrated wines featured Gigondas extensively.
Thanks for weighing in. Gigondas is fantastic! My recent video on underrated wines featured Gigondas extensively.
@@AttorneySomm thanks, I’ll check it out. Love the wine, love the town.
I agree with Gigondas!
@@MrGaffer49 Gigondas is terrific! Featured it extensively a few weeks ago. Lots of regions to cover!
i've gone back to drinking cdp after a lot of burgundy the past couple of years, prices aside, cdp are just such uncomplicated fun, irresistible. interesting you mentioned '18 pegau as a one of the favorite, it's considered a poor vintage for cdp in general
It reminds me of the 14 Pegau. Definitely one of my favorites in 18.
Helpful video:)
I don’t have many CDP’s in my collection, but was gifted a 2015 Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe. In your opinion is this this a drink, hold…or merely a cellar defender ?
I would hold. It is also an excellent producer. Had the 2010 recently. It was very youthful. That producer is in my top 10 for sure.
@@AttorneySomm--I had a 2005 last year that was gone(perfectly stored. Off bottle?)
Hi John. Have you tried Mont Redon Le Plateau? I have a chance to buy the 2016 for about £80. The 2020 Beaucastel is going for £60 and I am undecided between the two. Thanks for your help.
@@stevenholt4936 I do enjoy Mont Redon, but if it were me I’d go with the excellent 20 Beaucastel!
@@AttorneySomm Thanks, John. Much appreciated.
@@AttorneySomm The deed is done. Two bottles of Beaucastel, 2020, on their way. I also looked at your favourite, Clos des Papes but that was about £25 pb more expensive and I doubt my palate would be up to detecting the quality difference, especially in isolation. I will now have to exercise the patience of Job, at least until 2030. Thanks again for the advice.
@@stevenholt4936 My pleasure! I definitely think you will enjoy the Beaucastel! Thanks for the update. Hope you enjoy your weekend.
Bonneau?
I’m a fan!
Would you go for 2020 Clos des Papes or 2020 Chateau Beaucastel
Great question! Personally I would go with Clos des Papes. But if you are averse to Grenache then Beaucastel would be the better choice. Beaucastel uses more Mourvedre and Syrah in its blend.
@@AttorneySomm Thank you. It'll be my first chateauneuf du pape! Excited to try!
@@kairodumba7924 Very nice! Hope you enjoy it! Cheers!
I love one wine you did not mention: Beaucastels Blanc Roussanne Vieilles Vignes
They do not produce a lot of it and it is quite pricy for a pure Roussanne.
Thanks very much! I have not tried that one yet, but it sounds fantastic! I'll have to try to track it down.
Great video as always AS! For me Grenache = blah but certainly tried lots of nice beaucastel from the 80’s and early 90’s… mid 90s and up is a hard pass for me
Thanks very much for watching & weighing in! Cheers!
Alright, here we go(I like being corrected, especially for Italy-Boschis=Bo-ski, not Bo-cheese, Rocche=Ro-kay. And France-Eschezeaux. Burghound's, favorite mispronunciation, Ek-ee-zoo).
--Rayas(Rah-yahs, not like Texas, "Reyes") No mention of Fonsalette($200 on release, older vintages, $400+ for a Cotes du Rhone?? It was $20 in 1989), perhaps because it's Syrah and just outside of CdP? Not long-aging, about the same as a Crozes Hermitage.
--Pegau: Pay-GO is the Paris pronunciation. But they are in the South with a twang, Pay-GOW. Just like Natchitoches in Louisiana is Na-gah-titch.
--Beaucastel: The Rousanne VV is usually about 3-4 points better than the Blanc, but it's Twice the price.
--Best off-vintage CdP: Henri Bonneau, Celestins. But $400 even in off-vintages. Long aging(10-30 years). Kind of a cross between Rayas & Pegau Da Capo.
Thanks for weighing in. There is a difference in pronunciation for Pegau even within the family. They told me at the winery either is fine. I pronounced it the other way in earlier videos and was blasted by French pronunciation police.
@@AttorneySomm--I believe Laurence went to school in Paris. It's even more important in Europe to show breeding(London/BBC, not Cockney). That's the story I've heard. Newscasters and actors are taught to lose their accent.
In Moscow, Stalin was made fun of(behind his back, of course), for speaking like a country bumpkin. And there must have been a King/Queen of Spain with a bad lisp.
Now, when I was in school at Haah-vaahd...
@@AttorneySomm--The example I just remembered: Is the city in TX called Hyoo-ston?
Or is it the way Noo Yawkahs pronounce it like their street, How-ston?(named that in 1788). Which way would the French Pronunciation Police say it in TX?
@@ronmcmartin4513 Ha! The Texas city is definitely not the NYC way. Hyoo-ston is correct!
@@AttorneySomm--And yet, you Surrendered to the French Pronunciation Police!
I won't be able to comment on your videos anymore, right?😁
American consumers are being ruthlessly ripped-off on price. Who is applying such huge margins? Prices in restaurants are absolutely barking mad expensive. Decent French wines often less expensive than indifferent American alternatives. As they say in the States - go figure. But ALL prices are outrageous. And in restaurants figure an additional 20% tip, on top of what is already a huge bill.
Completely agree with you. That is why I typically go to restaurants where I can BYO in the US or I get takeaway. When I go to a US restaurant, I often get cocktails.
@@AttorneySomm I love America and Americans. What staggers me is the wine naïveté and meek acceptance of rip-off prices, by seemingly educated Americans. The standard 20% expected 'tip' is just robbery. At the outrageous prices restaurants charge, they should be able to pay staff a living income. And I comment - inexpensive European and UK food is usually better, albeit half the quantity on the plate (thank goodness).
@@3000waterman Yes and the tipping pressure has now even extended to delivery and even takeout! It has gotten out of hand.
@@AttorneySomm Well, it's accelerating trend. You either capitulate, or you take a stand. As a visitor to America, I'm not alone in being put off by the self-imposed tipping blackmail. Recipients hold out their hands at every thin opportunity. Here in the UK fewer and fewer people actually carry cash. Cabs take cards and tipping by nationals is uncommon. No delivery man to the door considers waiting for a tip. It's not meanness, it's simply that their employers are expected to provide their income. The job market's income proposition dictates employment/ job take-up.