We will be tasting (9) of the best wines from the North and (5) of the best from the South.
Many are fully mature, at their peak and over 10 years old. One bottle 24 years old. Very rare, due to small production. Some only several hundred cases made, or imported. Many now retailing for well over $200.
As usual tasting will be held at my house. Tasting will be limited to 14 persons.
Date: Sat., Oct. 18th. Time: 2pm
A great tasting with superb wine and great food. 
The overall favorites:
From the North: Parker vintage ratings for N. Rhone 2010-94, 2009-98, 2003-96, 2001-89, 2000-87, 1990-92
2010 Michel & Stephane Ogier La Rosine Viognier. Unlike the expansive lands
in the south of Rhône, the northern end is populated by a few prime ACs that make up a small fraction of Rhône's total area.
Tightly hugging the shores of the Rhône River from north to south, there are just two great appellations for Viognier-based
wine, Condrieu and Château-Grillet. Among the historic towns, however, there are still many acres of superior vineyards.
So, what the French did was to use the classification of 'Vin de Pays' to cover this secondary level of prime land. Under the direction of Stephane, Domaine
M & S is making world-class Côte-Rôtie as well as some great Viognier. La Rosine comes from a six hectare vineyard. Only 150 Cases imported.
2000 Hermitage Blanc, Eric Texier (Marsanne-Roussanne) (Very, Very Rare)
1990 Paul Jaboulet Aine Cornas, est. 1834
2010 Domaine Pradelle, Crozes-Hermitage, "Courbis" single vineyard (left bank). Family owned sine 1854, 35ha, WA-90+.
2009 Cote Rotie, "La Doree", wa-93, ws-93 drink to 2023, Only 50 Cases Imported)
2003 Hermitage, E. Guigal, WA-94, WS-93, IWC-93
2003 Cote Rotie, Vielles Vignes, Eric Texier, Syrah w/up to 20% Viognier.
70+ yr. old vines. Cote Brune. Only 320 cases made. Thomas Jefferson bought these wines in 1787 and shipped them home.
2003 Hermitage, Nobles Rives Cave de Tain. ws-91 5,000 cases made.
A 540 member cooperative producing 25% of the appellation's wines.
2001 Hermitage, "Gambert de Loche", Top wine of the Tain Cooperative. we-90,
Only 400 cases made.
From the South: All Chateauneuf-du-Pape Parker vintage ratings for S. Rhone 2007-98, 2006-90, 2004-95
2007 Domaine du Vieux Telegraph, "Telegramme", 90% Grenache, 10% Mouvedere
wa-90, ws-90 drink to 2017, 25ha, 20 to 25 yr old vines. 4,000 cases made.
2007 Domaine Chante Cigale, Vielles Vignes, 40ha, 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10%
Mouvedre, 10% Cinsault. ws-91 drink to 2020, 1,000 cases made
2007 Clos Saint Michel, iwc-90, 14ha, 40% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 30% Mouvedre. 3,300 cases made.
2006 Clos du Mont-Olivet, (Their ultra top cuvee.) "La Cuvee Du Papet", ws-93 drink to 2023, wa-90, 80% Grenache,
10% Syrah, 10% Mouvedre, 80 to 105 year old vines. 28ha, 875 cases made.
2004 Domaine de La Solitude, est. 1450, 35ha, wa-93, ws-95 drink to 2030. Only 250 cases made.
