December 2005: Jancis Robinson MW recommendations
(Financial Times and jancisrobinson.com)

Non-Rhône wines

Xavier Vignon, Champagne NV
"Made on the home farm of one of the Dom Pérignon team and very lively grower's champagne with a good, arresting label." (FT 19/11/05)

Domaine de la Madone, Fleurie 2004
"Real depth of flavour on this classic cru Beaujolais." (FT 19/11/05)

Ch Teyssier, St-Emilion Grand Cru 2001 OUT OF STOCK - new vintage available
"Dynamic, British-run château from am excellent right bank vintage... I'd go for two magnums myself." (FT 19/11/05)

Southern Rhône reds (arranged alphabetically)

Domaine Bressy-Masson, CDRV Rasteau 2001 "Cuvée Paul Emile" OUT OF STOCK - new vintage available
"Low-key nose in this second cuvée from this estate and a very sweet palate entry. Quite gamey - tastes as though there is quite a bit of Mourvédre in the blend and lots of quite dry tannin. A massive wine for a second wine. (Note this is not the same Bressy as Jerome of Gourt de Mautens, also of Rasteau.) Rich and velvety and satisfying although it will probably become smoother still." 16.5/20. Drink 2005-09. (jancisrobinson.com 07/12/05)

Domaine Bressy-Masson, CDRV Rasteau 2001 "A la Gloire de Mon Père"  OUT OF STOCK - new vintage available
"Great value for a beautifully textured southern Rhône for drinking over the next nine years." (FT 19/11/05)

"The superior cuvée to the Paul Emile bottling described above comes in a Bordeaux-shaped bottle and smells intensely gamey and intense yet has very fine tannins. Ripe and rich and soothing, this one should run and run and presumably has even more tannin than the Paul Emile but the weight of fruit disguises them better in this bottling. Lovely texture. Great value." 17.5/20. Drink 2005-14. (jancisrobinson.com 07/12/05)

Laurent Brusset, CDRV Cairanne 2001 "Vendange Chabrille" - NEW VINTAGE: 2003
"Very serious Syrah savour on the nose. Very impressive for the money. Quite long." (FT 19/11/05)

"Very firm, deep, still purplish crimson, presumably thanks to the Syrah portion. Very serious and savoury on the nose. Lots of lovely integrated acidity as well as masses of fully ripe fruit. Very impressive for the money. Serious wine with the merest hint of a good meat reduction and no hurry whatsoever to drink it. Quite long." 13.5%. 17.5/20. Drink 2005-12. (jancisrobinson.com 07/12/05)

Château Redortier, CDRV Beaumes-de-Venise 2001 "Cuvée Spéciale Thomas" OUT OF STOCK
"Warm, mellow nose, just very slightly reduced. Looks mature. Soft and spicy with a meaty backbone. A lot of flavour and comfort per penny." 13%. 16/20. Drink 2003-07. (jancisrobinson.com 07/12/05)

Dominique Rocher CDRV Cairanne 2001 OUT OF STOCK
"Very deep crimson from this recently certified organic producer. Ripe and rich nose with, still, lots of fine tannins and no surfeit of alcohol. This is still a baby - great to come across a wine worth cellaring at this price." 17/20. Drink 2006-12. (jancisrobinson.com 07/12/05)

Raymond Usseglio Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2001 OUT OF STOCK - new vintages available
"Mid ruby. Rather coconut, candied nose with lots of development but not much depth. Very pinched tannins on the palate. It certainly isn't expensive for a CNP!" 15/20. Drink 2005-09. (jancisrobinson.com 07/12/05)