“Xavier Vignon is one of the top oenologists in the Southern Rhône and releases a bevy of outstanding wines under his own label.” – Jeb Dunnuck

Jeb sums up this project as “you almost need a fork to drink this baby but man, what a wine!”

Practically a meal in itself.

Was $100 on release and today we’re knocking $56 off this freak of nature Châteauneuf-du-Pape. A massive all-time high 97-point score from our Rhône authority friend Jeb Dunnuck, and we can confirm it’s all that and more. The wine, the deal, everything about this - In a word, Ah-mazing.

Robert Parker raves that “Xavier Vignon, along with Philippe Cambie, are probably the two most highly renowned oenologists in Châteauneuf-du-Pape as well as some of the surrounding Côtes du Rhône regions. He is the consultant for such well-known domaines as Raymond Usseglio, Jerome Quiot, Beaurenard, La Nerthe, Mont Redon, Marcoux, Grand Veneur and La Gardine.” A mad wizard of CdP and beyond, he does things nobody else dares, you seriously need to experience his masterpieces.

Like this one. La Réserve is a multi-vintage fusion of four outstanding harvests - and the result is a deep, broodingly complex showstopper. When he first dropped this crazy experiment in 2013 it instantly rose to the top ranks of cult Châteauneuf status. Parker gave that one 96 points right off the bat, calling it “a hedonistic and decadent release that dishes out massive amounts of black raspberry, raspberry, spice cake, licorice and crushed flower like nuances on the nose.”

That release sold out in a matter of hours.

This one flashes the same style. The blend brings together predominantly the very best barrels from the legendary 99-point 2016 vintage; the rocking 2017 vintage that Dunnuck defines as “brilliant” as well as some of the “elegant and lively” 2015 vintage. A trifecta like no other!

There’s so much going on here. Pythagorean complexity sends your brain reeling, perplexed with layers of savory black olive, leather, garrigue, and crushed stone. The kirsch, strawberry jam, raspberry coulis, and chocolate flavors join in on the symphonic notes. Soaring aromatics of violets, freshly cracked white pepper, and towers of currants red, and black, fresh, and preserved, dominate the seamless long finish. It’s the ultimate companion to a feast with the most exotic of game, glazed and roasted to perfection as the centerpiece, with lavish sides limited to your imagination!

Xavier’s wine delivers at all levels from the entry-level Côtes du Rhônes all the way to the upper echelon like this. Every single one seems to smash deep into the 90s with critics from all over the place.

But this one… this is THE ONE you need. Seriously this will push your palate into uncharted waters.

Best of all, you don’t need to fight a mad rush of buyers paying $100 for a chance to get some. And did we mention the best price in the US today? We did? OK, moving along.

97 Points – Jeb Dunnuck

“Comes primarily from the magical 2016 vintage with smaller amounts from 2015 and 2017. It offers an extraordinary nose of blackcurrants, ground pepper, garrigue, and crushed violets. Rich, full-bodied, and incredibly seamless, with a stacked mid-palate, this is Châteauneuf-du-Pape brilliance all the way. It’s terrific today yet will keep for 15+ years. Drink 2019-2034.”