As a négociant in the region for two decades, Michel Tardieu knows a thing or two about the best vineyard sites in the Rhône Valley. His hand-shake relationships with the region's leading growers allowing him exclusive access to some of the Rhone's top old vine parcels. Working side by side with his son Bastien, Michel checks each vineyard throughout the growing season to assess the quality of the berries, coordinating the timing for harvest and determining how to ferment the grapes to best express each individual terroir. It's a tall order for such a staggering range of wines, but somehow quality is never compromised, as these are always some of the most lauded examples of top appellation in both Northern and Southern Rhône.
Our latest direct-import container arrived loaded up with a comprehensive roster of hits at every price point. There are simply too many to cover each one in detail, but don't miss these must-see highlights, starting with the 97-point 2023 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Speciale. Jeb Dunnuck declares, "The sensationally good Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Spéciale defines the vintage and is up there with the crème de la crème." The 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Galets d'Or offers exceptional value from this great vintage as a sub-$40 gem that's "Nicely balanced and medium to full-bodied, with a focused, elegant style ... and the class to drink spectacularly well for a solid 15 years."
Turning north, the 93-point 2023 Crozes-Hermitage Vieilles Vignes is "a gorgeous Northern Rhône Syrah that brings the fruit and texture," giving brilliant voice to this appellation that offers more bang for the buck than anywhere in the north. The 2020 Hermitage Rouge is also a sheer classic, "heady and seductive" representation with a pair of 96-point scores. Dunnuck extols its "wonderful purity and elegance," while Decanter calls it "concentrated, intense and long, with a good sense of firmness and intensity." We're just scratching the surface of the excellent line-up below, which probably offers more unbeatable Rhône class and character than most cellars have room for.
A blend of 90% Grenache, 5% Syrah, and 5% Mourvèdre brought up two months in older barrels and foudres, the 2023 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes offers spicy red and black fruits, leather, loamy earth, and ground pepper on the nose. It's rich, medium to full-bodied, and savory on the palate, with rock-solid ripeness, plenty of underlying tannins, and outstanding length. Give bottles 2-4 years and enjoy over the following decade. Drink 2028-2038.
93+ points, Jeb Dunnuck (Feb 2026)
A silky, suave version, powered by graphite, with juicy acidity behind its gush of ripe cherry, plum paste and chocolate. Smoky and savory, too, with dried leaves and salty herbs bringing refreshing contrast. Energetic and driven, with power and grip on the serious finish. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Drink now through 2035. 550 cases made, 100 cases imported.
92 points, Kristen Bieler, Wine Spectator (Mar 2026)
Seductive aromas of sweet cherries, sweet spices and bay leaves. This medium-bodied red has fine, firm tannins and a dense core of generous red berries on the palate balanced by spices and herbs. Long, lively and flavorful finish. Drink or hold.
92 points, James Suckling (Jan 2026)
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