Rhône 2017 En Primeur Offer

HOW EN PRIMEUR WORKS

We are delighted to be able to offer you a comprehensive range of the Rhône's finest wines. All the wines are annotated either with independent testimonial (and listed as such) or with Jason Yapp's recent personal tasting notes and scores.

Rhône 2017 wines en primeur

Our 2017 en primeur offer closed on 31st December 2018.  If you have any questions about the campaign, your order, or if you wish to be advised of the 2018 en primeur offer next Autumn, please email sales@yapp.co.uk.

En primeur wines were offered for purchase in 2018, with delivery in 2019 and 2020. These Rhône 2017 en primeur wines were offered per case and 'in bond' ('IB'), exclusive of duty and VAT.

'In Bond' or 'In Stock'?

A few 2017 Rhônes are already bottled and shipped. These are quoted per bottle inclusive of duty and VAT. They can be purchased immediately (by telephone or online) for next working day delivery, as usual.

Wines marked 'IB' are en primeur wines, quoted per case, In Bond.
Wines marked 'DP' are 2017s physically available now, quoted per bottle including duty and VAT.

VINTAGE OVERVIEW

"Counting the promising 2018s, vignerons in the Northern Rhône have been blessed with four consecutive excellent vintages. Maybe, just maybe, that will help keep a lid on prices over the next few years. But I wouldn't count on it. Quantities of the top wines tend to be small, even in bountiful years."
Joe Czerwinski - robertparker.com

"Both 2016 and 2017 are incredibly strong vintages with distinctive personalities. In addition, 2018 looks to be another blockbuster vintage, and it's difficult to find another similar string of great vintages in the past. It's a great time to be a Rhone lover! "
Jeb Dunnuck - jebdunnuck.com

It's still early days with regards to the 2018 Rhône vintage, as the valley enjoyed another hot Summer but, in general, yields were significantly higher than the previous crop (despite some mildew in the South) and the initial signs are very good regarding quality. 2015-2018 is as good a vintage run in the Rhône since 1998-2001, or even 1988-1991.

The hot summers of 2015 and 2017 both resulted in very early harvests, some 2-3 weeks in advance of 2016. However, while 2015 also enjoyed generous rainfall and therefore an abundant crop, 2017 was extremely dry, severely reducing yields. 2017 was the smallest harvest in France since 1945. Hail, late frost and coulure (lack of fruit set) were all factors that drove down yields last year, but the predominant climatic condition was drought. Over the four months from July – October 2017, Châteauneuf-du-Pape received 2cm of rain, a plight that was broadly experienced throughout southern France.

Smaller vintages in 2016 & 2017 present a challenge. In 2016, Jean-Louis Chave lost roughly 40% of his Hermitage vintage to hail, while in Provence Trévallon lost 30% to wild boars. In Cornas, Domaine Clape's 2017 vintage was halved due to the heat / drought and they did not make a Renaissance cuvée. There isn't a great deal of leeway in these relatively small domaines, all of which we largely sell on a pre-allocation basis. Demand for these wines is growing as new markets develop. InterRhône, the region's trade association, reported sales to the US and China up by 20% and 50% respectively in 2017, although the UK remains its largest export market.

So, we are delighted to be able to offer you a comprehensive range of the Rhône's finest wines and warmly recommend that you add a few cases of the 2017s to your cellar.

NORTHERN RHÔNE

 

CÔTE-RÔTIE

Patrick Jasmin
4th generation winemaker, Patrick Jasmin, has the advantage of owning 12 different parcels of vines running across the Côte Brune and Blonde escarpments, which gives him an enviably broad palette of fruit to work with. His vines are planted in a field blend of 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier that are traditionally vinified in vat, barrel and 300-600 litre demimuids for a minimum of 18 months prior to blending and bottling. The name 'La Giroflarie' appeared on the label last year, to distinguish this principal cuvée from a special cuvée called 'Olea' that Patrick first made in 2015. La Giroflarie is an historic name for the Côte Baudin lieu-dit.

Côte Rôtie 'Giroflarie' 2017 @ £312 per case (of 12 bottles) IB
Côte Rôtie 'Giroflarie' 2017 @ £330 per case (of 6 magnums) IB
"An extensive barrel tasting of the 2017 vintage chez Jasmin revealed raw materials that should yield a great Côte-Rôtie. It will sit somewhere between the fresh and elegant 2016 vintage and the denser, more brooding 2015. With pitchy black hedgerow berry scents and a wealth of dark plum flavours, offset by notes of black pepper and spices, backed up by tight tannins and a fresh acidity, all the requisite ingredients are present. The finished wine should continue the impressive recent form here and cellar well for 10-15 years. 18/20."

IGP Collines Rhodaniennes 'Chevalière' 2017 DP
"In an era when affordable Northern Rhône Syrah is becoming increasingly elusive, this IGP wine remains a relative bargain. Already bottled, this precocious offering has an elegant bouquet of violets and liquorice and a sleek, sensuous palate of black fruits offset by fine-grained tannins. This will provide 3-5 years of gratifying drinking but is already hard to resist on its youthful fruit. 16.5/20."

 

 

Domaine Champet
Joël Champet took over 2 hectares of vines from his father Emile in 1985 and, with the assistance of his son Romain, gradually increased the size of the estate to the 4.5 hectares it is today. Sadly, Joel passed away in 2017, but he leaves a fine legacy in the hands of sons Romain and Max. The vine holdings of the domaine lie in a single block in the Viallière vineyard, just to the North of Ampuis. Situated exclusively on the clay-based Côte Brune this is a traditional estate producing 'single vineyard' wine of great typicality.

Côte Rôtie 2017 @ £288 per case (of 12 bottles) IB
"Already assembled at the time of our visit in October, the 2017 vintage continues a run of fine form for the Champet frères – Romain and Max. With a dark purple 'robe' and briary black fruit scents and flavours offset by firm, ripe tannins and a fresh acidity this is a harmonious single-vineyard wine for mid-term drinking at 5-10+ years. 17/20."

 

CROZES HERMITAGE

Domaine Alain Graillot
Established in 1985, the Graillots' vineyards now comprise 17 hectares of Syrah vines and 3 of Marsanne and Roussanne which surround their cellars at Les Chênes Verts. Eldest son, Max (who joined his father Alain in 2004) also works 6 hectares of Syrah on a neighbouring estate on the Chassis plateau that he bottles under screwcap and labels as 'Equinoxe'.

Crozes Hermitage rouge 2017 @ £198 per case (of 12 bottles) IB
Crozes Hermitage rouge 2017 @ £216 per case (of 6 magnums) IB
"Unlike some of their Northern Rhône neighbours the Graillot family were blessed with a 2017 vintage that yielded generous volumes of good quality fruit. Barrel samples had a terrific purple colour with classic dark cherry and blackberry aromas and a ripe, rounded palate of stewed black fruit offset by firm tannins and a fresh acidity. Bien classique. 16.5/20."

Crozes Hermitage: Equis 'Equinoxe' 2017 DP
"Maxime Graillot and Thomas Schmittel's 'Equinoxe' bottling of pure Syrah is always readily accessible and forward-drinking. With a briary black fruit bouquet and sleek palate of racy dark cherry and berry flavours offset by a lip-smacking acidity and delicate tannins it is the result of deft wine-making and represents great value for money. 16/20."

Crozes Hermitage Blanc: Domaine Alain Graillot 2017 DP
"With a limpid straw robe and alluring stewed apple and pear aromas and a smoothly-textured palate of peach and apricot underscored by some saline-edged glycerine notes this hedonistic blend of 80% Marsanne and 20% Roussanne is already delightful and should continue to please for a further 2-3 years. 16/20."

 

CORNAS

Domaine Auguste Clape
"Sitting at the top of the Cornas hierarchy, Domaine Clape is run with incredible passion and talent by Pierre-Marie Clape who is getting more and more assistance from his son, Olivier"
Jeb Dunnuck - robertparker.com

The Clape family farms just over 5 hectares of Syrah vines in Cornas, with further parcels classified as Côtes-du-Rhône, plus some Marsanne & Roussanne in Saint-Péray.

In 2017 Cornas suffered with millerandage (uneven berry ripening) and severe drought. The Cornas vines (on the slopes) faired better than the Côtes-du-Rhône and Vin des Amis parcels lower down, as the former are habituated to dry conditions. In all vintages, the Clapes add a small amount of what they term 'younger' wine (vines between 30-50 years old, predominantly from Reynard & Patou lieux-dits) to the main Cornas blend (grapes grown in 6 different parcels, average vine age 60 years) in order to provide freshness. In 2017 (due to the small harvest) no Renaissance was bottled in its own right.

We offered first refusal on the 2017 Clape wines (in diminished measure) to customers who have followed this estate in successive vintages and these wines SOLD OUT.

Saint Péray 2017
"Made from a blend of 80% Marsanne and 20% Roussanne grown on clay and granite soils this smoothly-textured white wine has appealing greengage scents and a palate of stewed pear and peach underscored by a nervy tension and a persistent glycerine-edged finish. Already drinking well it will continue to do so for a further 3-4 years. 16/20."

Vin des Amis 2017
"From meagre yields of just 15 hectolitres per hectare the Clape family's 'house' wine has a deep purple hue, plum jam and tapenade aromas and a concentrated core of earthy black fruit with quite firm tannins that will soften with age. It will benefit from 2-3 years bottle age and should cellar well for a decade. 16/20."

Côtes du Rhône 2017
"The Clape's pure Syrah Côtes du Rhône is always a big wine for its relatively modest price tag but in the 'short' 2017 it has even more backbone than usual. With bright violet and damson aromas and a diverse palate of blackberries, dark cherries, cracked pepper supported by firm tannins it should cellar well for 5-10 years. 16.5/20."

Cornas 2017
"An extensive barrel tasting of the Clapes' 2017 Cornas revealved all the components for an age-worthy 'Grand Vin' and the probability a second wine will not be produced in this quantitively small vintage. With a deep purple colour and a wealth of concentrated red and black fruit scents and flavours backed by grippy tannins and a fresh acidity the final 'assemblage' should have 20+ years’ aging potential. 18/20."

 

 

HERMITAGE & SAINT JOSEPH

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave
The Chave wines' long élévage means that they are released later than the majority of their peers. We will release the 2016 Hermitage and Saint Joseph from Domaine Jean-Louis Chave in March 2019 on an allocation basis, with the 2017 vintage following in 2020.

To register your interest in an allocation of Hermitage & Saint Joseph from Domaine Jean-Louis Chave (if you have not done so already), please contact bianca@yapp.co.uk.

Hermitage Blanc 2016
"Bottled in August, Chave's 2016 Hermitage Blanc is a tremendous wine. It's a bit closed on the nose (bottle shock?), but it wows on the palate, rocking it with seismic waves of super ripe pineapple and melon fruit and more than a small dose of what I can only describe as magma-like essence of stone. It's full-bodied and mouthfilling in its richness, yet it never seems heavy or overdone. Remember that yields were constrained by hail, so don't delay in procuring whatever your budget will allow. 98/100, drink 2018-2040."
Joe Czerwinski - robertparker.com

Hermitage Rouge 2016
"Still mostly in separate components, the 2016 Hermitage nevertheless looks sensational. Les Beaumes was very pretty and red fruited, with silky tannins (94 - 96). Le Méal was putting itself forward as plush and velvety, with flowers, crushed stone and ripe fruit (95 - 97). A combined sample of Les Bessards and l'Hermite showed great, granite-derived structure allied to licorice and cassis (96 - 98). 96-98/100, drink 2020-2040."
Joe Czerwinski - robertparker.com

Saint Joseph Rouge 2016
"I tasted several parcels that will go into the 2016 Saint Joseph, rating them all in this range. All were distinctive in their own ways, from the perfumed, floral notes and elegance of Les Challeys to the almost jammy cherry flavors of Les Oliviers and the dark-fruited precision of Le Clos. 92-94/100, drink 2020-2035."
Joe Czerwinski - robertparker.com

PROVENCE

 

 

IGP LES ALPILLES

Domaine de Trévallon
This was limited to 1 case (of 6 bottles) per customer & has still SOLD OUT

Bottled as a simple 'Indication Géographique Protégée' Eloi Dürrbach's iconic Syrah - Cabernet Sauvignon blend technically lies in Provence, but has strong ties to the Rhône in terms of geography, wine-making and esprit. Low yields (25-30 hl/ha) and no chemical intervention give thick-skinned grapes that need 2-3 weeks cuvaison. The parcels of grapes are allowed a warm fermentation (using only indigenous yeasts) in small oak foudres where they rest for 18 months before an unfiltered, unfined assemblage and eventual bottling 25 months after the harvest.

Domaine de Trévallon rouge 2017 @ £198.00 per case (of 6 bottles) IB
"The installation of 5 kilometres of '100% effective' high-tension anti-boar fencing saw a more prolific harvest at Trévallon in 2017 after sangliers consumed 20,000 kilos of grapes in 2016. The Syrah is plummy and ripe and smoothly-textured and the Cabernet Sauvignon has plenty of cassis fruit and quite firm tannins. An approximate 'assemblage' had the makings of a classic Trévallon – not a blockbuster but very harmonious and well-rounded with generous fruit offset by freshness and supported by supple tannins. 17.5/20."

 

SOUTHERN RHÔNE

CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE

Le Vieux Donjon
"Domaine Vieux Donjon is another reference point estate for classic, traditionally made Châteauneuf-du-Pape. These rich, powerful wines are simply loaded with Provençal aromas and flavors of meaty black fruits, spice, and garrigue. Traditional Châteauneuf-du-Pape rarely gets better."
Jeb Dunnuck - robertparker.com

The Michel family farm 18 hectares of vines (one-third of which are over 100 years old) across six different lieux-dits. They make just one white wine - from 1 hectare of Clairette & Roussanne which is vinified in stainless steel - and one red – from 17 hectares of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre & Cinsault that are vinified together in concrete and partly aged in concrete (20%) and partly in old oak foudres (80%).

Cháteauneuf-du-Pape rouge 2017 @ £297.00 per case (of 12 bottles) IB
Châteauneuf-du-Pape rouge 2017 @ £312.00 per case (of 6 magnums) IB
"The Michel family are renowned for only producing one red wine and it is consistently excellent. With a garnet robe and bouquet of sweet red fruit preceding a concentrated palate of ripe blackberries and cherries offset by herb and spice notes, supple tannins and a freshacidity this is a superlative Châteauneuf' that will cellar well for over a decade, 18.5/20."

"A prospective blend of Vieux Donjon's 2017 Châteauneuf-du-Pape looked particularly strong. At 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah and the balance Mourvèdre and Cinsault, it reflects the vintage's poor fruit set in the Grenache and the strength of the Mourvèdre. It shows amazingly fresh, floral notes, bright strawberry and raspberry fruit, matched by full body, ample richness and length. 93-95/100, drink 2020-2035."
Joe Czerwinski - robertparker.com

Châteauneuf-du-Pape blanc 2017 DP
"Vieux Donjon's 2017 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc is a 50-50 blend of Clairette and Roussanne, fermented and aged (briefly) in stainless steel. It's medium to full-bodied, with a plump, engaging mouthfeel and bright pineapple and lime flavors that linger on the finish, picking up notes of citrus zest. Drink it over the next couple of years for its freshness, or do as Claire Michel suggests and hold it for 10+ years. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 92/100."
Joe Czerwinski - robertparker.com

 

 

Domaine du Père Caboche
"Classic, elegant, Provençal wines emerge from this estate, which pulls mostly from vines on the eastern side of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with a good portion located on the famed La Crau plateau. These are stylish, elegant wines that can be drunk young yet also evolve gracefully"
Jeb Dunnuck - jebdunnuck.com

Jean-Pierre Boisson, former long-serving mayor of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, runs Domaine Père Caboche with his children Emilie & Nicolas. Members of the Boisson family have been both winemakers and blacksmiths for generations. The family nickname of Caboche derives from the old Provençal word for 'horseshoe nails' and their Vieilles Vignes cuvée is named after Elisabeth Chambellan, a local blacksmith's daughter who married Jean-Louis Boisson in 1772.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape 'Père Caboche' rouge 2017 @ £192.00 per case (of 12 bottles) IB
Cháteauneuf-du-Pape 'Père Caboche' rouge 2017 @ £210.00 per case (of 6 magnums) IB
"The Boisson family's principal cuvée of Châteauneuf', in volume terms, is always amongst the most fruit-driven and accessible wines of the appellation. Tasting an approximate blend of the 2017 was a hedonistic pleasure. With a deep purple robe and a wealth of ripe garrique berry scents preceding a palate of rich plummy fruit with fondant tannins it should be approachable soon after release and cellar well for 5-7 years. 16.5/20."

"As to the 2017s, the 2017 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is another beautiful wine that has a classic feel in its garrigue, pepper, gravelly minerality, and assorted red and black fruits. This medium-bodied barrel sample has fine tannins, terrific purity of fruit, and is going to hit the ground running yet keep for a decade or more. 90-92+/100."
Jeb Dunnuck - jebdunnuck.com

Châteauneuf-du-Pape 'Elisabeth Chambellan Vieilles Vignes' rouge 2017 @ £234.00 per case (of 12 bottles) IB
"Hailing from 80-100 year-old vine rootstock on the Crau plateau the Boissons’ flagship wine is consistently reliable and great value for money when you look at what is being charged for the output from neighbouring plots. With a bouquet of wild herbs and ripe hedgerow fruit and a concentrated palate of plums, figs, black pepper and spices over a framework of supple tannins it should come into its own at 3-5 years and cellar well for over a decade. 17.5/20."

"The smaller production 2017 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes Elisabeth Chambellan offers more minerality as well as slightly more richness to go with loads of black fruits, graphite and scored earth. It's medium to full-bodied, has outstanding balance, and notable concentration, all suggesting a terrific Châteauneuf-du-Pape that will have 10-15 years of prime drinking. 92-94/100."
Jeb Dunnuck - jebdunnuck.com

Châteauneuf-du-Pape blanc 'Père Caboche' 2017 DP
"A blend of 40% Clairette, 30% Bourboulenc and 15% each Grenache Blanc and Roussanne and made all in stainless steel, the 2017 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc is a cuvée that emphasizes freshness over weight. It's full-bodied and plump but filled with mouthwatering citrus flavors. Pineapple and lime notes turn zesty and linger on the finish. 91/100, drink 2018-2020."
Joe Czerwinski - robertparker.com

 

STORAGE AND DELIVERY OPTIONS WHEN THE WINE ARRIVES

When the physical wine arrives IB in the UK we will contact you to advise you of any additional payments that are due in respect of duty and VAT (if you are withdrawing the wine from bond), storage or delivery charges, including IB transfer charges. Your options are as follows:

Wine remaining Under Bond:
1. If you have your own bonded arrangements at London City Bond ('LCB') you can advise us of the account details for an IB transfer. No further charge.
2. You can store your wine IB with Yapp Brothers. It will be held in the Yapp Brothers' Client Account at LCB. No further charge. You will, however, be charged storage, currently £12.50 per case, per annum, inc VAT.
3. We can arrange for LCB to deliver your wine IB to another bonded warehouse. Such IB transfers are charged at £15 per case up to 2 cases, £5 per case thereafter and must be paid before the transfer request is actioned. You will also need to advise us of account and warehouse details for the transfer.

Delivering & Storing Wine Duty Paid:
4. If you would like us to organise delivery of your wine Duty Paid, we will do so under our normal delivery terms. In most cases this will mean no delivery charge.
5. You can store your wine at Yapp Brothers' premises Duty Paid, currently £12.50 per case per annum, inc VAT.
6. When wine that has been held IB is withdrawn from a bonded warehouse, you will be charged duty and VAT at the prevailing rates on the original cost of the wine. The current duty rate is £25.98 per case and the VAT rate is 20%. Therefore, the current duty and VAT on a £200 case of wine withdrawn from bond would be £71.18. (N.B. you pay VAT on the cost of the wine including duty).