2010 Rhone En Primeur Trip

Last week I travelled to the Rhone in search of top producers for our first major Rhone En Primeur Offer. My task was to try and find a few select producers who are really outperforming in their appelation. Below are the producers that we are delighted to be offering this year:

First stop in Cote Rotie was Clussel Roch. The Roch family are extremely modest about the quality of their wines, however I could tell from their faces and the way they described the wines that they were extrememly proud of their 2010s. 100% organic since 2002, they are forward thinking however without the overoaked modern style. Their wines certainly impressed me, almost a Burgundian style. The fruit was very pure and fine. Madame Roch said that the main difference that she notes between 2010 and 2009 is the fine balance that 2010 has. Her opininion was that the 2010s will age longer, while the 2009s will offer more pleasure in the shorter term.

Next up was Domaine Rene Rostaing. Monsieur Rostaing apologised for the way he was dressed as we was in his overauls, like his personality Rostaing's wines are very aristocratic. He describes 2010 as 'classique' and how right he is. Whether it will be better than 2009 he says it's impossible to say, however his view was that 2010 are more serious wines and have the potential for longer ageing.

Stephane Ogier was next. His wines need no introduction. Our Ogier offer will be out a bit later than the others and quantitys are very limited.

Domaine du Colombier has been a firm favourite of mine for quite a few years now. Florent and the team make excellent Crozes-Hermitage which are simply deliscious and in my opinion offer excellent value. We will also be offering their Hermitage which is a wine capable of ageing as well as a classed growth Bordeaux. He was very keen to show me the different oak barrels that he uses and the varying effects that they have on the wine. He prefers not to have oak dominating, keeping the purity and the freshness of the wine.

Clos de Cazaux make exceptional Gigondas and Vacqueyras. The Vache family make some of the best value wines in the Southern Rhone and its a delight to be able to offer them this year!

Final stop was Font de Michelle. Guillaume Gonnet is always extremely friendly and his wines certainly impressed me this year. With a substantial part of their estate in and near La Crau, they have some of the best terroir in Chateauneuf du Pape. We will also be offering Chateau de Beaucastel.

Please do e-mail us if you would like to recieve our Rhone 2010 offer info@hsliquid.com