Domaine du Tunnel
A tiny domaine making some of the most overachieving wines across the Northern Rhône, Domaine du Tunnel is one of the most exciting, up-and-coming producers in the region. Founded in 1994 by Stephane Robert with initially just two-and-a-half hectares in Saint-Joseph, Cornas and Saint-Péray, over the past 25 years they have grown to 11 hectares, still tiny by Rhône standards. For reference, that's half the holdings of Jaboulet, putting it on a more Burgundian scale, just shy of blue-chip Domaine Jean Grivot's 12 hectares. Stephane makes four three Cornas, four leading white wines from Saint Peray and a serious Saint Joseph.
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Rhone | 2 | 91-93 (VN) | HK$4,360.00 | |||||
Vinous (91-93)Inky ruby. Pungent black and blue fruit and succulent herb aromas, along with hints of cracked pepper, licorice and violet and a suave floral nuance. Broad, seamless and appealingly sweet, offering juicy blackberry and violet pastille flavors and hints of spicecake and dark chocolate. Clings with strong tenacity and focus on the finish, which is framed by smooth, harmonious tannins. |
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Rhone | 4 | 96 (JD) | HK$4,360.00 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (96)The 2019 Cornas is one hell of a base Cornas that should be snatched up by readers. Full-bodied, concentrated, and flawlessly balanced, with a texture like silk, it offers a kaleidoscope-like array of red and black fruits, tapenade, smoked game, black olive, and Asian spices. It’s a thrilling wine to enjoy over the coming two decades. |
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Rhone | 4 | 94-96 (VN) | HK$3,560.00 | |||||
Vinous (94-96)Saturated violet. Highly fragrant, mineral-accented boysenberry, cherry liqueur, candied violet and allspice aromas are complemented by a smoky mineral nuance. Offers palate-staining dark berry, candied licorice and bitter chocolate flavors that pick up notes of candied flowers and exotic spices on the back half. Powerful but surprisingly lively as well, finishing very long and smooth, with sharp delineation and gently gripping tannins. |
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Rhone | 2 | - | HK$3,425.00 | |||||
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Rhone | 1 | - | HK$3,650.00 | |||||
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Rhone | 1 | 95 (VN) | HK$2,805.00 | |||||
Vinous (95)Deep, brilliant violet color. Powerfully scented black/blue fruit liqueur, potpourri and exotic spice aromas, along with hints of woodsmoke, incense and olive paste. Supply, seamless and broad on the palate, offering deeply concentrated blackberry, mulberry, bitter chocolate and fruitcake flavors that become livelier and sweeter with aeration. Rich yet surprisingly energetic, finishing sappy and alluringly sweet, with lithe tannins, repeating florality and superb persistence. |
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Rhone | 2 | 96 (VN) | HK$3,455.00 | |||||
Vinous (96)Inky violet color. Pungent, mineral-tinged aromas of ripe black and blue fruits, candied flowers and olive paste turn spicier as the wine stretches out. Densely packed and expansive on the palate, offering bitter cherry, blackberry, fruitcake and espresso flavors that slowly turn sweeter on the back half. Tightens up on the impressively long, penetrating finish, which features chewy tannins and an echo of dark berry preserves. |
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Rhone | 3 | - | HK$3,915.00 | |||||
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Rhone | 1 | - | HK$2,910.00 | |||||
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Rhone | 2 | - | HK$2,920.00 | |||||
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Rhone | 1 | 97 (JD) | HK$2,685.00 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (97)I was able to taste two 2019s. Looking first at the 2019 Saint-Péray Roussanne, it has a tight, reductive, mineral-laced bouquet of quince, grilled peach, white flowers, and crushed stone. Gorgeous on the palate as well, it's full-bodied, has a round, layered textured, perfect balance, and one heck of a great finish. It reminds me of a great vintage of Château Beaucastel's Vieille Vignes Blanc. |