Exuding charm and sophistication, the Faurie Saint Joseph 2012 is the epitome of a well-crafted Rhône wine. Enveloped in a seductive bouquet of black fruits, spices, and a whisper of lavender, your senses are instantly enraptured by this fine vinous masterpiece. Traditional winemaking methods are employed in its creation, with wines stemming from vineyards situated in the heart of France’s Northern Rhône Valley.

Hervé Faurie, the astute producer of Faurie Saint Joseph 2012, is lauded for his masterful winemaking skills, yielding expressions that are true to the distinct terroir of Saint-Joseph. Expertly produced from handpicked Syrah grapes, this wine undergoes aging in a combination of steel vats and old barrels, crafting a beautiful balance of elegance and power.

On the palate, the Faurie Saint Joseph 2012 is harmoniously layered, underscored by silky tannins and a lingering, spice-kissed finish. It is a testament to apotheosis in winemaking, establishing itself as a pivotal wine in any discerning connoisseur's collection.

Vinous (93)

Opaque ruby. Smoke- and spice-accented scents of cherry liqueur, blueberry and violet are complicated by hints of olive paste and pipe tobacco. Juicy and broad on the palate, offering intense, deeply concentrated black and blue fruit and licorice flavors and a spicy touch of cracked pepper. Comes off elegant and precise for the vintage, finishing with solid thrust, excellent persistence and smooth, harmonious tannins.

Wine Advocate - Robert Parker (95)

The cream of the lineup is the 2013 Hermitage le Méal. Not harvested until October and aged 18 months in 20% new oak, it has killer notes of jammy blackberry, black raspberry, crushed rocks, garrigue and olive tapenade. Possessing that kiss of sweet fruit that’s common from this warmer terroir, this medium to full-bodied Hermitage has gorgeously pure fruit, no hard edges, fine tannin and a great finish. It will cruise for two decades.

Vinous (92)

Bright purple. Powerful, highly perfumed aromas of black and blue fruit liqueur, olive and potpourri, along with mineral and floral overtones. Stains the palate with juicy cassis and boysenberry flavors, while a sweet violet pastille nuance lends an exotic touch. Youthful tannins lend shape a very long, chewy, mineral-accented finish that shows outstanding power and repeating florality.

Jeb Dunnuck (98+)

More bloody meat, black raspberries, wood smoke, spice, and truffle notes emerge from the 2017 Hermitage Le Méal, a massive, opulent effort that has loads of opulence and fruit, building tannins, a gorgeous mid-palate, and a monster finish. It's one of the finest wines I've tasted from this estate! It’s already approachable yet promises to evolve gracefully for 20-25 years or more.

Wine Spectator (94)

A rich, velvety style, with lush fig, blackberry and black currant fruit driven by warm ganache, singed anise and roasted espresso notes. An iron thread propels the finish.

Vinous (92)

Glass-staining ruby. Vibrant red and dark berry, spicecake and potpourri aromas on the intensely perfumed nose. Sappy and broad on the palate, offering appealingly sweet black raspberry, floral pastille and cola flavors buffered by lively acidity and a hint of smoky minerals. Closes smooth, sweet, gently tannic and very long, conveying further suggestions of spicecake and cola.

Jeb Dunnuck (93-96)

Inky colored, the 2016 Ermitage Les Dionnières offers classic Hermitage notes of blackcurrants, smoked herbs, violets and toasted spice. It shows more minerality with time in the glass, is deep, rich and concentrated on the palate, has plenty of tannin, and a great finish. This is terrific, but unfortunately, there are only 125 cases produced.

Vinous (96)

Opaque ruby. Highly expressive aromas of black/blue fruit preserves, exotic spices and incense pick up a smoky nuance as the wine opens up. Seamless and broad in the mouth but distinctly energetic as well, offering intense, mineral-inflected black raspberry, bitter cherry and blueberry flavors and a hint of candied violet. Finishes seamless and extremely long, with an echo of juicy blue fruit and harmonious tannins that add gentle grip. This wine is an especially lively example of the vintage; no way I would have guessed that it came from a hot year. (20% whole clusters and 25% new oak)

Vinous (92)

Lurid ruby. Powerful, smoke-accented dark fruit preserve, violet, licorice and cracked pepper aromas develop a hint of olive as the wine opens up. Round and weighty on the palate, offering sweet black currant and cherry pie flavors and a touch of succulent herbs. The peppery note comes back strong on the clinging finish, which is framed by smooth, mounting tannins. While this lush wine checks in at 15% alcohol, I didn't notice it.

Jeb Dunnuck (98)

Lastly, the 2016 Ermitage Le Méal is the top wine from Ferraton, and rightly so, as it’s a magical wine in 2016. Rocking notes of black raspberries, blackberries, toasted spices, tapenade, and dry aged beef all emerge from the glass, and it hits the palate with a wealth of material yet stays balanced, layered, and seamless. It's a sensational wine that's up with the top wines of the vintage. Hats off to the team at Ferraton for this remarkable wine as well as their full lineup of wines in 2016.

Jeb Dunnuck (97)

Reminding me of one of the Sélections Parcellaires Hermitage from Michel Chapoutier, the 2016 Ventoux Divergente is 90% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre that was mostly destemmed and brought up in foudre. Crème de cassis, black raspberries, peppered meats, graphite, and liquid rock notes all flow to a fat, unctuous, sexy Syrah that has beautiful acidity, fine tannin, and a huge finish. It's a true “Wow” wine that needs to be tasted to be believed. Put this in a blind lineup of top Hermitage and shock all your friends.

The Fonsalette Cotes du Rhone 1993 exemplifies the excellence of vintage French wines. Produced by Domaine du Rayas, a notable estate in Rhone Valley, this fine spirit embodies precision, grace and longevity. Revered viticulturist Jacques Reynaud was at the realm when Fonsalette Cotes du Rhone 1993 was made, employing traditional practices to intoxicate senses.

Emanating from the heart of the Rhône Valley, the Gibraud family-owned vineyards, this wine showcases the richness of Grenache grapes, benefiting from the region’s diverse, historic terroir. The old vines, mostly untouched by modern viticulture, yield character-infused grapes to create the artisanal, signature blend.

Boasting a vibrant, ruby colour, this delicate wine rewards the palate with notes of ripe fruit, sweet spice and tannins, culminating in a harmoniously prolonged finish. Enjoy the Fonsalette Cotes du Rhone 1993's grandeur, a charming reverie of French winemaking’s golden era.

Vinous (93)

Bright red. Black raspberry and floral aromas are complemented by Asian spices, anise and white pepper. Racy, finely etched red berry and cherry flavors stain the palate and become deeper and sweeter with air. Shows no rough edges and finishes with superb focus and sweet, sappy persistence. This puts most Chateauneufs in the shade.