1998  Amery Vineyards Hillside

2009  "Arena Mica"

Very simply, Stéphane Vedeau makes expressive, beautifully balanced wines in an approachable (and affordable!) style. Hermitage is the most famous Northern Rhone appellation and typically the Syrah-based reds from the region are powerful, deep, muscular wines that can take years to soften and develop. The 2009 J. Boutin Hermitage stands apart from the crowd for its elegant purity, its concentrated (not extracted) plush flavors of raspberry, cherry & a kiss of chocolatey iron. Its texture evokes the descriptor "seductive" & we don't toss that around carelessly or without merit. With tannins far softer than is typical for a young Hermitage, it absolutely may be drunk now and indeed, is a stunning glass of wine. Delicious now, it will also reward cellaring over the next several years.

2012  Sierra du Sud

Cult Cotes du Rhone producer Domaine Gramenon crafts small quantites of single site wines from super-low yields. This Cotes du Rhone is made from Syrah vines that are 8-30 years old. It spends 7months in wood, vat & barrique. Can age 4-8 years.