Rhône

François Villard François Villard
François’ empire keeps growing, but he still keeps a tight rein on the operations, whilst being open to sharing his knowledge and passion for his region. The recent winery above St-Michel-sur-Rhône, that seemed so large a few years ago, is now bursting with vats and barrels, but the quality remains. The wines are often seen on the tables of most of the best restaurants around the world.
https://www.domainevillard.com/
Stéphane Ogier Stéphane Ogier
From 14 hectares of vineyards, Stéphane Ogier’s wines express the style and quality that has made the Northern Rhône in increasingly high demand. His classic Viognier has minerality, with rich, almost exotic white fruit and a freshness conveying judicious use of oak. The reds display attractive smoky aromas, juicy fruit and meatiness – trademarks of classic Northern Rhône. The Côte Rôtie ‘Réserve’ is a blend of several terroirs and has incredible complexity and length.
http://www.stephaneogier.fr/
Domaine Jocelyne & Yves Lafoy Domaine Jocelyne & Yves Lafoy
Three generations of the family have worked this vineyard in Ampuis at the heart of the Côte-Rôtie. The estate was founded in 1993 by Jocelyne and Yves Lafoy, who cobbled together vines from their respective in-laws to follow in Jocelyne’s father’s footsteps on the Côte Brune in Côte-Rôtie. Since 2012, the winemaking has been the chief responsibility of their son Gaëtan. Gaëtan was formally trained at a viticulture and oenology school in Mâcon, France and spent a few months at the Plumpton Agricultural College in Sussex in the United Kingdom. Following this, he trained with an internship under Jean-Michel Gérin in Côte-Rôtie. The vineyards are worked by hand (often on steep terraces) with little mechanisation, and the winemaking style is traditional producing ageworthy, structured and elegant wines.
http://www.domaine-lafoy.com/
Pierre Gaillard Pierre Gaillard
Pierre Gaillard continues to produce some of the most stunning wines from his 25ha domaine near Malleval. Handling the Viognier, Roussanne, Marsanne and Syrah with the same gifted care, he offers a very fine and wide range of wines. We are only importing a limited selection from his superlative collection. When he is not busy in the Northern Rhône, he is helping his daughters, Jeanne in Crozes Hermitage and Elise in Banyuls, whilst even finding time to run a small estate in Faugères.
https://www.domainespierregaillard.com/en/vins_pierre_en.php
Domaine Philippe & Vincent Jaboulet Domaine Philippe & Vincent Jaboulet
Philippe Jaboulet, along with his son Vincent, sold the family business ‘Paul Jaboulet Ainé’ in 2005; however, what is less documented is that they kept hold of most of their prized vineyards, including 15 hectares within the sector best known to all as ‘Thalabert’. Whilst the Jaboulets can no longer use the name, the resulting wine lives on in the guise of ‘Nouvelère’ or ‘new era’. In 2006, the Jaboulets also acquired Domaine Collonge in Crozes Hermitage to create a total estate covering 29.6 hectares. Their superb Ermitage Blanc is sourced from a tiny 0.7ha plot planted solely with old vine Roussanne; whereas their Ermitage Rouge comes from half a hectare of Syrah planted in lieu-dit of Diognères.
http://www.jaboulet-philippe-vincent.fr/index.php/en/
Domaine Equis Domaine Equis
With Christian, our Director, having worked with Alain Graillot for a short period at the beginning of his career, we are thrilled to be distributing the wines of his son, Maxime. Maxime is in charge of Alain’s domaine and has added a small 6.5ha holding in Crozes, Domaine des Lises, to the portfolio. He also manages several other vineyards in Cornas, St Joseph and Crozes, selecting tiny parcels of the very best grapes to make the Equis range. They are made in the same vein as his father’s wines – the Equinoxe is a modern interpretation of Crozes for early drinking, whilst the Crozes Lises and St Joseph ignite in flavour after a year or two in bottle.
Domaine Gramenon & Maxime-François Laurent (Organic) Domaine Gramenon & Maxime-François Laurent (Organic)
Founded in 1976 by Philippe Laurent and Michèle Aubéry-Laurent, Domaine Gramenon lies in the heart of the Drôme Provençale in Montbrison sur Lez surrounded by 25 hectares of vines and olive groves. The vineyards are planted on a limestone plateau, 300m above sea level, which brings a purity and freshness to the wines. Unfortunately, Philippe passed away as a result of an accident in 1999, so Michèle was joined by her son Maxime-François. Together they aim to keep the identity of each plot of land, which gives birth to their ‘cuvées’. Maxime-François has also created a small wine merchant business in partnership with a neighbouring vigneron, whose vineyards are certified organic. He issues and labels his cuvées under his own name.
https://www.domaine-gramenon.fr/en/maximes-wines/
Domaine Alary (Organic) Domaine Alary (Organic)
Denis Alary’s wines are benchmark Southern Rhônes: full of sun and a joy to drink. Spicy, rich and peppery with warm juicy fruit, his wines are always extremely appealing and a great representation of this region. While Grenache makes up the majority of the vines planted on his 29 hectares of vineyards, he has an old plot of Syrah and uses it judiciously in the cuvée ‘L’Estévenas’. Despite increasing fame and demand, these wines remain great value.
http://www.domaine-alary.com/
Domaine Grand Veneur (Organic) Domaine Grand Veneur (Organic)
Christophe and Sébastien Jaume have now taken over from their father Alain and have carefully expanded the domaine. The range is exceptional and equally superb in white as in red. ‘La Fontaine’ is consistently one of the best white Châteauneuf and ‘Les Origines’ delivers the appropriate class for a premium cuvée with many international accolades. There is no weak wine here and the well-priced Côtes du Rhône is produced from a vineyard situated only meters away from the famous Château Beaucastel.
https://www.vignobles-alain-jaume.com/en/welcome-4.html
Bosquet des Papes Bosquet des Papes
A few years ago, this traditional 32ha estate had a new lease of life when son Nicolas Boiron took over from his father Maurice. Both men are built like rugby forwards and the wines have a tendency to be like them; therefore, it is advisable to keep them for a little while before drinking.
Le Clos du Caillou (Organic) Le Clos du Caillou (Organic)
Sylvie Vacheron, helped by the gifted Bruno Gaspard, is producing rich and very expressive Châteauneuf du Pape cuvées alongside consultant Philippe Cambie. The literally “larger than life” Philippe is considered the best oenologist in the Southern Rhône and with his advice, the quality of the estate’s wines has greatly progressed. The unsung hero in Le Clos du Caillou’s portfolio is the ‘Bouquet des Garrigues’: with a feel and style of Châteauneuf du Pape, it is not a straightforward Côtes du Rhône by any means.
https://www.closducaillou.com/en
La Vieille Julienne (Organic) La Vieille Julienne (Organic)
Despite our already large portfolio of Châteauneuf estates, we did not hesitate when we had the opportunity to add Jean-Paul Daumen’s wines to our offering. These are very serious wines with a class coveted by many other producers. With 10 hectares of vines at the very northern part of Châteauneuf du Pape and 5 hectares of Côtes du Rhône on the Lieu Dit Clavin, they are never the blockbusters produced by so many during the past decade, Vieille Julienne wines are completely unique and this is why they are so sought after
https://www.vieillejulienne.com/
Vignobles Mayard Vignobles Mayard
Françoise Roumieux and her sister Béatrice run this 50 hectares estate together with their brother Didier Mayard producing three separate Châteauneuf du Pape cuvées. Both the cuvée ‘Père Pape’ and ‘Clos du Calvaire’ offerings are traditionally made wines from 40 to 50 year-old vines and are aged in neutral 600 litre oak foudres and cement tanks. The ‘Crau de ma Mère’ is a small cuvée made with 100 year old vines and is only available in limited allocations.
http://www.vignobles-mayard.fr/en/
Domaine de La Mordorée (Organic) Domaine de La Mordorée (Organic)
The Delorme family meticulously runs one of the most successful domaines in the Southern Rhône, La Mordorée. Very sadly, Christophe passed away unexpectedly in 2015. His dynamism and drive will be sorely missed, but his wife, daughter and team continue to further refine the quality of wine that derives from their 40 hectares of vines, as, like many, they believe that the best wines are made in the vineyard. Every wine receives the same care be it the simplest Côtes du Rhône or the top Châteauneuf du Pape. Despite success and multiple awards, the prices remain very reasonable.
https://www.domaine-mordoree.com/
Domaine Santa Duc (Organic) Domaine Santa Duc (Organic)
Yves Gras is one of the strongest personalities in the Southern Rhône region; he is also very generous and has helped many young wine producers to improve their techniques & establish themselves within the market. Since 2006, he has slightly softened his style by shortening the time of cuvaison and using different cooling methods in order to reduce some of the austerity that was previously characteristic of his wines. They still have plenty of local character & huge personality, but are certainly a little more approachable now in their youth. His latest vintages from his 23 hectares of vines are truly exceptional & have received great recognition from the press.
https://www.santaduc.fr/
Domaine de Fondrèche Domaine de Fondrèche
Sébastien Vincenti of Domaine de Fondrèche is widely recognised as one of the two best producers in Ventoux and to make things even better, he keeps a reasonable pricing policy despite his ever-increasing reputation and growing international demand. His wines from his 38ha domaine are very polished and seductive, yet he always aims to improve his technique. Sébastien is moving to organic culture and uses specific canopy management in order to produce ripe rich wines, with an overall harmony being the key
https://fondreche.com/index.php/en/home/
Mas Carlot / Château Paul Blanc Mas Carlot / Château Paul Blanc
Nathalie Blanc-Marès is in charge of this imposing 75 hectares property near Bellegarde in Costières de Nîmes. Judiciously, several years ago she decided to plant some Roussanne, Marsanne and Viognier. The result is a range of exceptional white wines to complement some classic reds. Modern technology ensures the production of hugely enjoyable wines at everyday prices. Château Paul Blanc is Nathalie’s premium range named after her father.
http://www.mascarlot.com/ElementsRubrique.aspx?SITE=MASCARL&RUB=1&MP_SS_RUB=ELEM&MP_ELT=DETAI&PAGE=1&Lang=FR