Josh Raynolds of Vinous Media reviews the 2014 and 2013 Northern Rhone wines, gives Pierre & Jeanne Gaillard top scores for their Rhone reds and whites-for the full article, click here:
2013 Saint-Joseph, Pierre Gaillard-90 pts
“Opaque ruby. Spice- and smoke-tinged black and blue fruits on the fragrant nose. At once rich and energetic, offering juicy blackberry and bitter cherry flavors and a hint of olive paste. Silky tannins firm the lingering finish, which conveys building spiciness and a refreshing suggestion of bitter berry skin.”
2013 Asiaticus Coteaux de Seyssuel, Pierre Gaillard-91 pts
“Glass-staining ruby. Vibrant, mineral-laced blackberry, boysenberry and violet aromas are complemented by a deeper suggestion of licorice. Energetic dark berry and floral pastille flavors and notes of spicecake and smoky minerals. Sappy and sharply focused, offering strong finishing thrust and length and late-arriving, fine-grained tannins.”
2013 Côte-Rôtie, Pierre Gaillard-91 pts
“Dark purple. Fresh and lively on the nose, displaying scents of red and dark berries, candied violet and smoky minerals. Vibrant and precise on the palate, offering juicy black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors complemented by a suggestion of peppery spices. Becomes sweeter and fleshier with air with no loss of energy, and finishes nervy and very long, the supple tannins adding shape and grip.”
2013 Côte-Rôtie Rose Pourpre, Pierre Gaillard-92 pts
“Brilliant violet. Smoky, mineral- and oak-accented cherry and dark berry scents are lifted by a suggestion of peppery spices. Juicy and expansive on the palate, showing excellent breadth and depth to the cherry-vanilla and blueberry flavors. Opens up slowly on the very long, floral-tinged finish, which is framed by dusty, fine-grained tannins. Showing its oak but there’s plenty of material here to support it.”
2014 Saint-Péray, Pierre Gaillard-90 pts
“Light, bright yellow. Mineral-accented aromas of fresh lemon and pear slowly take on a suggestion of honeydew. Juicy and broad on entry, then tighter in the middle; lively orchard fruit and candied ginger flavors are given spine by zesty acidity. The gingery note carries strongly through a long, incisive finish, which leaves behind a chalky mineral note.”
2014 Condrieu, Pierre Gaillard-90 pts
“Light, green-tinged gold. Fresh peach, tangerine and melon on the deeply perfumed nose, joined by a slowly emerging hint of candied lemon zest. Round and open-knit, offering subtly sweet, concentrated orchard and pit fruit flavors and a touch of honeysuckle. The melon and floral notes repeat strongly on the persistent finish, which shows very good energy and lift.”
2013 Saint-Joseph La Relève, Jeanne Gaillard-92 pts
“Brilliant violet. Exotic, mineral-accented aromas of ripe red berries, incense and vanilla on the intensely perfumed nose. Juicy, penetrating and seamless in texture, displaying superb thrust to the concentrated black raspberry and cherry cola flavors. A smoky mineral quality adds lift and cut to the floral-dominated finish, which lingers with outstanding tenacity. Quite graceful given its heft and power, and balanced to age.”