En primeur offer: Rhône 2023 reds

Since taking over this small estate from his father, Guillaume Sorrel has been fine tuning the wines from this estate and it is going from strength to strength. This wine is from Meal and Greffieux and has so much finesse and purity of fruit as well as power and concentration. The tannins have grip and this is a wine to cellar if you can. This is as good as Hermitage gets. Drink from 2029 to 2040. 14%

Winemaker and owner Louis Barruol likes to explore outside of the south with his many connections and produces a very attractive red from northern Crozes. Lots of spice, ink and graphite notes compliment red cherries and brambles. Drink from 2026 to 2032. 13%

The Brunier family of Vieux Télégraphe took over this historic Gigondas estate in the late 1990s and usually make two reds that are differentiated by altitude and vine age. No Racines was made in 2023, so some of the old-vine fruit from this cuvée has gone into Terrasse du Diable, giving additional concentration and length. Expect bright red-berry fruits, blackcurrant and pepper supported by chalky tannins and vibrant acidity. Drink from 2026 to 2036. Magnums (RH72974@ £125 per three) available. 15%

Majority grenache with some syrah in the blend that comes from older vines at the top of the hill by the domaine. Expect dark berries, cloves and liquorice from this full-bodied, textured and structured Vacqueyras. Drink from 2026 to 2032. Magnums (RH72844@ £60 per three magnums) available. 14.5%

The grapes come from a number of Stéphane Robert’s Cornas plots, mostly old vines and some of the best steep, exposed sites. This is concentrated and dark fruited with black olive and a firm tannin structure. Drink from 2026 to 2035. 13.5%

A blend of two parcels of vines, with 20% of the blend made up of vines more than 50 years old giving added concentration. Enjoy its vibrant red-berry fruits and cassis combined with floral notes and hints of fennel. Drink from 2026 to 2033. 13%

Based in the south of the northern Côtes-du-Rhône delimitations, this is a juicy, fruit-forward and accessible red that excites the senses with violets, cherries and hints of spice. Drink from 2026 to 2030. 13.5%

Powerful and full of garrigue, violets and graphite. This vineyard is at 340-metres altitude so there is energy and acidity, yet there is so much core concentration to this delicious wine. Drink from 2026 to 2031. 15%

Rather unusually, syrah is a large percentage of this blend thanks to some 1960s plantings from the Hermitage hill. This is a site that gets lots of wind and gives a very lively and fresh expression of Vacqueyras with plenty of liquorice and pepper. Drink from 2026 to 2030. 14%

From the granite slopes behind Hermitage hill and benefitting from being harvested after close to 150mm of rainfall to give a juicy core. Plenty of red and black berry fruits and fleshy plum notes combined with black olives and a firm tannin structure. Drink from 2026 to 2032. 13%

After a year’s absence because of hailstorms decimating the 2022 crop, Vieux Télégraphe is back with all its concentration, structure and charm. Wild flowers, cranberries and liquorice combine with garrigue layers. Not to be missed. Drink from 2029 to 2040. Magnums (RH74454@ £290 per three) available. 15%

Coming from the highest plots in Cairanne and from old vines of more than 70 years' age, this is a concentrated and complex wine that deserves some time in bottle to express its many layers. Graphite and inky in character with blackberry and black olive notes are felt in this grenache, mourvèdre and syrah blend. Drink from 2026 to 2034. 14.5%

This wine comes from a blend of parcels, with some experimentation with whole-bunch fermentation in 2023 giving a floral lift. Tannins are very present and the wine is somewhat brooding in character, yet at the heart of this wine there is real soul and minerality. Grapes coming from Mazards and Sabarotte. Total production is only 1,200 bottles. Drink from 2027 to 2037. 13.5%

From a consistent and knowledgeable winemaker. A mix of large and small barrels with plenty of graphite, ink and dark chocolate with a supple and rich core. There is less ripeness than in 2022, which has elevated the wine and it benefits from the freshness. Drink from 2026 to 2030. 13.5%

Emmanuelle Verset took over from her father and she is managing this 4.2-hectare estate with the upmost care and adding her mark, which includes some new plots. 100% whole bunch is a traditional at this estate, so the wines have a floral and herbal character to them. 100-year-old vines at the estate contribute to the concentrated profile. Drink from 2027 to 2038. 13%

A talented winemaker in his own right, but has received more attention recently having taken over some of his father-in-law’s (Hermitage great, Bernard Faurie) vineyards. Aged in oak for 18 months and a barrel selection this Crozes is supple and has lots of spice and red berry fruits. Some darker berries, charcoal and black olive come through on the finish. Drink from 2026 to 2033. Magnums (RH73294@ £73 per three) available. 13%

Jean-Louis Chave, a prominent northern Rhône producer has ventured further south mainly in Vinsobres, but also some other villages such as Visan to produce an wine with an explosive perfume of ripe red plum, cranberry and red berry. A crunchy style that offers additional layers of spice and chewy tannins that is perfect to drink right away. Drink from 2026 to 2029. 13%

Stéphane Robert’s wines have long been member favourite’s, almost certainly for their northern Rhône soul and purity. This is fine, silky and mineral and everything you would expect from a great Saint-Joseph. Drink from 2026 to 2032. 13%

Predominately grenache with some syrah and carignan, and largely from the Ventabren mountain. The altitude gives a generous freshness to this full-bodied and spicy red. This charming and voluptuous wine is from an estate worth following. Drink from 2026 to 2030. 14%

Brothers Eric and Joel are based in Châteaubourg and have 23 hectares over several appellations in the northern Rhône. Their Cornas is a blend of several parcels with differing soils and expositions which creates layers of complexity. Working organically but not yet certified. Tapenade, liquorice, blackberries and spice. Crunchy fruit and chalky tannins. Drink from 2026 to 2031. 13.5%

Guillaume Sorrel owns 0.7 hectares in Bessards and Plantiers on mostly granitic soils. This is powerful and structured with a piercing graphite note that underpins this rather outstanding Hermitage. From old vines of 60+ years, expect to be impressed by the sheer concentration and length. Drink from 2029 to 2040+. 14%

There is so much going on in the glass with salinity, perfume and silkiness. Such a classy and enjoyable wine. Coming from the domaine’s oldest vineyard parcels on the hillsides of Combe, Patou, La Côte, Les Mazards et Chaillot. Drink from 2028 to 2039.

After a year’s absence because of hailstorms decimating the 2022 crop, Vieux Télégraphe is back with all its concentration, structure and charm. Wild flowers, cranberries and liquorice combine with garrigue layers. Not to be missed. Drink from 2030 to 2045. 15%

A monopole that sits behind the Hermitage hill on granite soils this is a mini-Hermitage. Lots of black olive, pencil shavings and violets. Tannins are firmer than the Pontaix, with a rich core. Drink from 2027 to 2034. 13.5%

Jullien Cécillon is part of the new generation making their mark with small, interesting plots in northern Rhône with Les Marguerites coming from a plot planted with up to 100 year old vines. The steep, granitic slopes are close to the forest, which brings a cooling influence to this isolated parcel and in turn produces an energetic, crisp, peppery and perfumed Crozes. Drink from 2026 to 2030. 12.5%

Jean-Baptiste Meunier is one of the unsung heroes of Gigondas, probably due to his reserved demeanour, but with his daughter Zoe officially joining the property at the start of 2025, expect even greater things at this estate. Old-vine grenache with syrah and cinsault give a rich core with liquorice, cloves and cassis supported with generous and sweet-coated tannins. Drink from 2027 to 2038. 14.5%

A talented winemaker in his own right, who has received more attention of late having taken over some of his father-in-law’s (Hermitage great, Bernard Faurie) vineyards, including from the lieu-dit of 'La Dardouille'. Pepper, cassis and black cherries combine with garrigue and cloves. There is a density to the palate as well as vibrancy and structure. Drink from 2026 to 2031. 13%

A selection by Pierre-Jean Villa of the best fruit from three different parcels with a high percentage of granite that gives the wine a lively and mineral core. 100% whole-bunch fermentation was used in 2023, giving the wine a floral lift with wild flowers, pepper and cherries, and firm, chalky tannins. Drink from 2026 to 2032. 13%

The Brunier family of Vieux Télégraphe took over this historic Gigondas estate in the late 1990s and usually make two reds that are differentiated by altitude and vine age. No Racines was made in 2023, so some of the old-vine fruit from this cuvée has gone into Terrasse du Diable, giving additional concentration and length. Drink from 2027 to 2038. 15%

There is so much going on in the glass with salinity, perfume and silkiness. Such a classy and enjoyable wine. Coming from the domaine’s oldest vineyard parcels on the hillsides of Combe, Patou, La Côte, Les Mazards and Chaillot. Drink from 2027 to 2038. Magnums (RH73824@ £236 per three) available. 13%

Emmanuel Darnaud is a talented winemaker in his own right, but has acquired more attention having taken over some of his father-in-law’s (Hermitage great, Bernard Faurie) vineyards. Aged in oak for 18 months, and a barrel selection, this Crozes is juicy and supple, and has lots of spice and red-berry fruits. Some darker berries, charcoal and black olive come through on the finish. Drink from 2027 to 2035. 13%

From a sandy, elevated plot within Châteauneuf and over 70 year old vines, this is a wine that manifests elegance with wild strawberry, violets and blood orange with a delicate and smooth palate and fine tannins. Drink from 2027 to 2037. 15%

André Perret’s daughter Marie took over the estate in 2020, though he is still very much present and opens up the winery every morning. From various plots in Saint-Joseph, this red is so classy with layers of fruit and sweet and savoury spices. Drink from 2026 to 2033. 13%