We are delighted to share the new scores from Jeb Dunnuck from his Rhône 2022 report. Some top scores there for our producers. The report also includes Châteauneuf-du-Pape ‘Not for you’ 2019 by Pierre Usseglio, which scored a whopping 100 Points!!!

JEB DUNNUCK

TASTING DATE : 30th October 2023

2022 Pierre Amadieu Gigondas Domaine Grand Romane

A fruit-loaded, up-front, impressively concentrated and textured Gigondas, the 2022 Gigondas Domaine Grand Romane (65% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre, and 15% Syrah) is medium to full-bodied, has soft, integrated tannins, no hard edges, and a great finish. I don’t think it’s going to be the longest lived Gigondas, but it should shine right out of the gate. 91-93 Points

2022 Pierre Amadieu Gigondas Le Pas De L’Aigle

I’d put the 2022 Gigondas Le Pas De L’Aigle up with the crème de la crème of the vintage. Based on 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah that will spend two years in foudre, it has remarkable purity in its ripe redcurrant and strawberry-driven fruit profile as well as complex notes of Provençal spices, crushed stone, and dried flowers. It’s medium to full-bodied, beautifully balanced, has fine tannins, and a great finish. 93-95 Points

2022 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Chateauneuf Du Pape Cuvee De Mon Aieul

Possibly the wine of the vintage, the 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Mon Aïeul comes from three separate parcels of old vines (La Crau, Les Bédines, and Les Serres) and is 100% Grenache that was not destemmed and was brought up in neutral demi-muids. Offering incredible aromatics of black cherries, peppery garrigue, flowery incense, sandalwood, and assorted Provençal nuances, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a deep, layered texture, ultra-fine tannins, and a seamless finish. There will be a scant 6,000 bottles of this elixir made, and you should buy it. 97-99 Points

2022 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Chateauneuf Du Pape Premiere Pierre

Moving to the Châteauneuf Du Papes, the 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Première Pierre checks in as 70% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 5% Clairette, 5% Mourvèdre, and 5% Cinsault that saw a splash of stems and will spend a year in foudre. It has a killer bouquet of black raspberry and darker cherry fruits as well as spicy garrigue, pepper, and sandalwood. This carries to a medium to full-bodied, classy, elegant, finesse-driven Châteauneuf Du Pape that has serious richness, fine tannins, and a great finish. It’s a gorgeous base cuvée. 92-94 Points

2022 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Chateauneuf Du Pape Premiere Pierre Blanc

A blend of Grenache Blanc, Clairette, and a splash of Bourboulenc, the 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Première Pierre Blanc was raised in a mix of tank, barrels, and amphora. It has a gorgeous nose of spiced pears, honeysuckle, acacia flowers, and spice that carries to a medium to full-bodied, nicely textured, balanced, layered style on the palate. It brings plenty of richness while staying fresh and lively, with a terrific sense of minerality on the finish. 91-93 Points

2022 Domaine Fond Croze Cotes Du Rhone Confidence

Blackberries, white pepper, garrigue, and spice all emerge from the 2022 Côtes Du Rhône Confidence, a beautifully fresh, focused, elegant style on the palate. It’s a beautiful, silky, finesse-driven Côtes Du Rhône. 89-91 Points

2022 Domaine Fond Croze Cotes Du Rhone Villages Vaison-La-Romaine Aphrodite

The 2022 Côtes Du Rhône Villages Vaison-La-Romaine Aphrodite is more Syrah-dominated and includes just 10% Viognier. Its deep purple hue is followed by a more modern styled Syrah with awesome aromatics of black raspberries, candied violets, classy oak, and graphite. The purity is incredible, it’s medium to full-bodied, has fine tannins, and a great finish. It’s probably not for everyone given its oak, but this is brilliantly done in the style. 92-94 Points

2022 Domaine Fond Croze Cotes Du Rhone Villages Vaison-La-Romaine Romanaise

Based on Grenache, the 2022 Côtes Du Rhône Villages Vaison-La-Romaine Romanaise has a pretty, red-fruited, floral, and spicy, savory style as well as medium-bodied richness and depth on the palate. It’s balanced and has fine tannins as well as outstanding length. 89-91 Points

2022 Domaine Fond Croze Cotes Du Rhone Villages Vaison-La-Romaine Shyrus

Deep purple hued with a classic Syrah nose of ripe black fruits, game, violets, and peppery notes, the 2022 Côtes Du Rhône Villages Vaison-La-Romaine Shyrus hits the palate with medium to full body, ripe yet building tannins, a good sense of freshness, and outstanding length. It’s going to need a few years of bottle age, but it should be outstanding. 90-92 Points

2019 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Chateauneuf Du Pape Not For You (available to buy online)

The 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Not For You is flat-out awesome, and Grenache doesn’t get any better in this reviewer’s opinion. Coming from 100-year-old vines in the Les Serres lieu-dit, in the southern end of the appellation, it was not destemmed and was brought up in a single new demi-muid. Incredible aromatics of darker berries, Provençal garrigue, ground pepper, lavender, and leather are just some of its nuances, and this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a deep, layered, opulent mouthfeel, full-bodied richness, ripe tannins, and a great, great finish. While this is a massive wine by any measure, it’s not over the top, stays perfectly balanced, has ripe tannins, and is an incredibly singular wine. Unfortunately, it will be just about impossible to find in the market. If you’re lucky enough to find a bottle, it should be at its best from 2026-2041. 100 Points