Rhône Valley Wines

Much larger in scale than Burgundy is the Rhône Valley wine region. From the alcoholic and powerful highs of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, through the dense elegance of the Syrah wines of appellations like Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage, this is predominantly red wine country. Rich and generous, these wines appeal to wine drinkers used to California reds. And, just like Bordeaux, there is also great value to be found in this region: wines labelled Côtes du Rhône. If they have a village name attached (Rasteau and Seguret are among the best), they will be that much better even if more expensive. Search our Rhône Valley wine guide’s hundreds of Rhône Valley wine reviews for more details on individual wines and for our comprehensive database of Rhône Valley wine ratings.

Sort By:

points

E. Guigal 2003 La Landonne Syrah (Côte Rôtie)

Cellar Selection

Price $450

Dense and rich but also incredibly complex, long and elegant, this is a momumental Côte-Rôtie. It’s darkly fruited and superripe, yet doesn’t lose its essential sense of terroir, remaining marked by scents of pepper and espresso to go with the chocolate and cassis fruit. Velvety in texture, this is the one of Guigal’s 2003 Côte-Rôties that demands a few years of… — J.C. (9/1/2007)

points

M. Chapoutier 1999 Le Méal Ermitage Red (Hermitage)

Price $150

Chapoutier’s selections of the best parcels of vines in Hermitage are set to become legendary. Sold under the ancient spelling of the appellation name (Ermitage), they represent the epitome of the power and concentration that lies behind the reputation of the appellation. This cuvée is the best of the collection, with its brooding, opaque character, suggesting… — R.V. (6/1/2002)

points

E. Guigal 2003 La Turque Syrah (Côte Rôtie)

Cellar Selection

Price $450

This is breathtaking stuff, incredibly complex on the nose, where it features hints of vanilla, clove, cinnamon, cassis, pepper and asphalt. It would be a wine to sit and smell all day if it weren’t so delicious to taste. Rich waves of cassis fruit cascade over the palate without losing complexity, buffered by incredibly supple tannins. The virtually endless finish… — J.C. (9/1/2007)

points

Château de Beaucastel 1998 Cuvée Hommage à Jacques Perrin Red (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)

Price $240

A wine made with a high quantity of Mourvèdre (60%), and produced only in the best years, in memory of François and Jean-Pierre’s father. Superripe, with huge fruit, its’ jammy, gamy and rich. Dusty tannins and excellent black-fruit flavors. The final effect is a wine that epitomizes the potential elegance and the power of Chateauneuf-du-Pape in one glass. A great… — W.E. (12/31/2001)

points

J.L. Chave 1999 Red (Hermitage)

Price $125

Jean-Louis, the son of Gérard Chave, is now in charge of the family business, as well as being president of the Hermitage wine producers. He is continuing the family tradition of making powerful statements of Syrah from Hermitage, combining massive structure and over-powering perfumes. This 1999 seems to have the best of the traditional world of tannic immensity… — R.V. (6/1/2002)

points

E. Guigal 1998 La Landonne Red (Côte Rôtie)

Price $175

This is almost certainly the most famous Côte Rôtie from the best vineyard in the appellation. It is a wine for power. Dry fruits and tanninc aromas give an immediate sense of structure and strength. On the palate, it is wild, savage almost, with huge tannins and untamed exotic perfumes. The wood—42 months in new wood—seems almost incidental to the power of the… — R.V. (6/1/2002)

points

Domaine Jamet 2003 Syrah (Côte Rôtie)

Cellar Selection

Price $96

Sure, this wine shows the effects of the hot summer in its slightly jammy raspberry flavors, but there’s also incredible complexity to complement the fruit intensity—Asian spices, tea, pepper and meat, to name just a few nuances. It’s all wrapped in a blanket of soft tannins, but stays fresh-tasting thanks to great minerality despite low acidity. Drink now–2030 or… — J.C. (9/1/2007)

points

Paul Jaboulet Aîné 1997 La Chapelle Red (Hermitage)

Price $100

A wine that sells for around $100 a value? Yes, when it has the pedigree of La Chapelle and the intensity of this particular wine. The best wine to come from Jaboulet since the awe-inspiring 1990. And yes, in these days of newly released $250+ first-growth Bordeaux, a value. — W.E. (11/15/1999)

Most Reviewed Sub Regions

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cornas Costières de Nîmes Côte Rôtie Côtes du Rhône Côtes du Rhône Villages Crozes-Hermitage Gigondas Hermitage Lirac Saint-Joseph Vacqueyras

Most Reviewed Varietals

Grenache Marsanne Muscat Other White Red Blend Rhône-style Red Blend Rhône-style White Blend Rosé Roussanne Shiraz/Syrah Viognier White Blend

Most Reviewed Wineries

Alain Jaume et Fils Cave de Tain Delas Frères E. Guigal Gabriel Meffre Jean-Luc Colombo Les Vins de Vienne Louis Bernard M. Chapoutier Paul Jaboulet Aîné Perrin & Fils Tardieu-Laurent

2010 Mira Stanly Ranch

Winemaker Gustavo Gonzalez left Robert Mondavi to do his own thing, and…

(Sponsored)