“From vines in Condrieu and Côte-Rôtie, Vernay’s signature tradition of excellence is one of elegance, with the whites showing excellent poise and the reds dominated by red fruit and silky textures.” – Wine Advocate

You know it’s not your typical Thursday when it’s Vernay Day!

We lead with this, a DOUBLE 95 POINTER at over 50% OFF. But there’s more…

We gathered tiny amounts of a few other absolute gems here in the Store - while they last.

At $135, this is a treat for wealthy intellectuals. Yet this never-before-seen, sub-$60 deal brings it to the discerning many who understand and appreciate an elitist, highly collectible, and utterly mind-blowing red Rhône.

Côte-Rôtie! Translating to “the roasted slope,” and home to the world’s most complex expression of Syrah. This tiny, rugged area of just 300 hectares of vines yields miniscule production. Much coveted wines are born from these terraced slopes that extend down steep inclines to the Rhône river.

Truthfully, it’s hard to find a better balance of finesse and power anywhere.

Robb Report describes it well: “Expect full-on flavors of blackberry, plum, black cherry and cassis with touches of spice like clove, black pepper and star anise, earthy notes of saddle leather, truffle and black olive, and a hint of flowers. You will find strong tannins, both oak-derived and from the grape itself, and bold acidity. While wines from the northern Rhône will gracefully age in your cellar for up to 50 years, the best drinking window for these is eight to 12 years.”

The Wine Cellar Insider adds, “Blonde du Seigneur has a long history for the Domaine, as it was the first wine produced at the property back in 1970. Today, they utilize 5 hectares of vines for this cuvée. The wine is made from a blend of Syrah and Viognier. However, the amount of Viognier varies, depending on the vintage, as their vineyards have 8% of the white wine variety planted. The grapes, which are on average 40 years of age, are from the Côte Blonde. The vines are located in the southern portion of Côte-Rôtie in gravel soils found in the Bassenon, Maison Rouge, and Lancement vineyards.”

Do not miss out on this world-class red; it’s a tremendous opportunity.

95 Points – James Suckling “Stunning nose with very ripe aromas of pomegranate, orange, and blackberry with a ton of smoke. Excellent concentration, but it is the brilliance that this is married to that makes the wine stand out. Extremely long and precise finish with great mineral freshness. A cuvée of 80% Syrah and 20% Viognier, co-fermented. Partly matured in large oak foudre and partly in barrique. From organically grown grapes. Drinkable now, but best from 2024.”

95 Points – La Revue du Vin de France “From the great terroirs of the heart and south of the Côte-Rôtie, this little-known cuvée is a paragon of fine, fragrant Syrah: aromas of ripe exotic fruits (citrus, mango), which evoke a very beautiful maturity of fruit. Very fine tannins, finely woven, giving the whole a sensual texture and body. A deep, languorous wine, underlined by a high-class breeding!”

94 Points, Cellar Selection – Wine Enthusiast “Profuse aromas of blackberry, plump plum and cassis harmonize into a layer of violets and garrigue. An abundance of fresh black cherry, blueberry, rhubarb, crushed rose, wild mint, and clove coats the palate. Tremendous in structure, this wine presents youthful tannins that trail into a subtle white-tea leaf finish. Enjoy now with a proper decant or cellar through 2030 and beyond.”