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B-21 Top Recommendation
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Savvy bargain hunters are by now well aware of the stellar quality for price to be found in the relatively new Cairanne appellation. Since its promotion to full cru status, the region has captured the attention of Southern Rhône insiders, and it's Domaine Alary leading the way.
Father and son Denis and Jean-Etienne Alary are renowned for their track record of consistent excellence, and the flagship Estevenas Rouge defines the domaine's style and reputation in the market. The 94-96 point 2022 rendition "features stunning aromas ... Full-bodied, creamy and lush on the palate, it finishes long and silky" according to Wine Advocate's Joe Czerwinski, the Syrah-dominant blend benefitting from some of the oldest Syrah vines in the Southern Rhône. The 2022 La Brunote is a prime example of the Alarys' wide-ranging repertoire and skill set. The 92-94WA, Mourvèdre-based blend excels in the warm vintage, especially at our market-best price. "Full-bodied and richly concentrated, it's almost creamy in texture, with a lingering finish. Yum," declares Czerwinski.
To get a true feel for the elite position Alary occupies in Cairanne, don't miss the Jean de Verde bottlings. The WA94 Jean de Verde Blanc is "silky in texture, with a long, elegant finish—a stunning white from Southern Rhône," while the 2022 Jean de Verde Rouge continues this cuvée's track record as a benchmark Cairanne collectible. Garnering a whopping 95-97 points as a potential best-ever effort from Denis and Jean-Etienne, it's "amazingly complex on the nose ... [with] wonderful harmony. It's full-bodied and rich, concentrated and velvety, with a long, zesty finish."
In short, you'll be hard pressed to find a better bang for your buck in the southern Rhone. Alary is back at B-21 in a big way, with 2022s that set the pace for the appellation and offer world-class value. |
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The 2023 Cairanne L'Estevenas Blanc is very clean and pure, offering a kiss of minerality, sliced apple, orange blossom, and floral notes. Medium-bodied, focused, and balanced with integrated acidity, this terrific even split of Clairette and Roussanne was aged eight months in stainless steel and oak barrels. Drink bottles over the coming 3-5 years.
93 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Apr 2025)
A ripe, fairly tropical style of Cairanne blanc, with pineapple and pear flavours. Opulent texture, but it's really fresh and lively, with good acidity. Ends dry, on a sandy mineral touch.
92 points, Matt Walls, Decanter (Sep 2024)
You know you are getting old when the first vintage of this fine Cairanne producer’s wine that you drank was the 1985! But, that is nothing compared to the history that the Alary family has as wine producers in the region, as their first vintage was in 1692! Denis Alary’s 2023 Cairanne Blanc “l’Estévenas” bottling is made from a blend of clairette and roussanne and is nicely ripe at 13.5 percent in this vintage. The wine’s aromatic constellation delivers a bright and complex combination of pear, lemon, a superb base of soil tones, dried flowers and a hint of orange peel in the upper register. On the palate the wine is deep, vibrant and full, with an outstanding core of fruit, excellent soil signature and grip, zesty acids and lovely balance on the very long and complex finish. This is outstanding juice!
92 points, John Gilman, View From The Cellar (Oct 2025)
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