Presse Review : James Suckling

Cairanne red 2017 94/100
The deep spice, blackberry and candied-orange nose invites you into this rich yet beautifully balanced red with a ton of powdery and chocolatey tannins that complement the mineral acidity very neatly at the spicy finish. Very long, polished finish. Drink or hold.

Cairanne red 2019 93/100
Full, ripe blackberry fruit with spicy and delicate terra-cotta aromas on the nose. Bold and ripe, but also blessed with full powdery tannins that give this appealing balance and some elegance at the finish. A blend of 60% grenache, 25% syrah, 10% mourvedre and 5% cinsault. Drink or hold.

Cairanne les Hautes Cances rouge
Cairanne les Hautes Cances blanc

Cairanne white 2019 93/100
An expansive and complex dry white with intense blossom and wild-herb aromas, plus notes of melon and apricot. Excellent structure, mineral acidity and a pronounced, salty touch at the long and beautifully balanced finish. A blend of 40% clairette, 20% roussanne, 20% grenache blanc, 15% viognier and 5% bourboulenc. Drink or hold.

Cairanne white 2020 92/100
Simultaneously crisp and aromatically reserved, this well-structured dry white Rhone was clearly made for the dining table, rather than the tasting table. Plenty of lime-zest and herbal freshness at the long, clean finish. Might well benefit from a year or two of further bottle age. A blend of 40% clairette, 20% roussanne, 20% grenache blanc, 15% viognier and 5% bourboulenc. Drink or hold.

Cairanne white 2021 92/100
A crisp and aromatic blend of 40% clairette, 20% roussanne, 20% grenache blanc, 15% viognier and 5% bourboulenc. Lemon zest, bay leaves, stones and some white pepper. Medium body with fresh acidity. Fruity and silky with a succulent finish and a green apple character. Drink or hold.

Cairanne white 2022 91/100
A fruity and flavorful white with green apples, white peaches and white flowers on the nose. Medium body with medium acidity. Supple with crunchy fruit and a delicate finish. 40% clairette, 20% roussanne, 20% grenache blanc, 15% viognier and 5% bourboulenc. Drink now.

Cairanne Col du Débat 2017 95/100
An entire forest-clearing filled with violets, and behind it a small mountain of fine, dry tannins that give this powerful Mediterranean masterpiece great balance and aging potential. So much herbal and chalky depth at the very long finish. Just at the beginning of a very long life. A blend of 52% grenache, 25% syrah, 20% carignan and 3% counoise from a vineyard that’s over 60 years old. Drink or hold.

Cairanne Col du Débat 2019 94/100
Let the enveloping bouquet of violets and forest berries get its hooks into you and this remarkable Cairanne will bowl you over! I love the dense, almost chocolatey tannins and the way they give the full body a gentle feel. Then comes the long, moderately dry finish. A blend of 52% grenache, 25% syrah, 20% carignan and 3% counoise from a vineyard that’s over 60 years old. Drink or hold.

Cairanne Col du Débat 2020 93/100
Aromas of cherries, blackberries, black olives and peppercorns. Medium to full body with finely grained tannins. Layered and well-balanced with an intense garrigue character. Grainy texture with a spicy edge and a vibrant long finish. 52% grenache, 25% syrah, 20% carignan and 3% counoise. Drink or hold.

Cairanne Les Hautes Cances Col du Débat

Domaine Les Hautes Cances Côtes du Rhône 2020 93/100
A seductive nose of baked dark cherries, cassis and sweet spices. Medium body with fine tannins. Round and velvety with a juicy core of cherries and a flavorful finish. 50% grenache, 30% syrah and 20% mourvedre. Drink or hold.

Côtes du Rhône les Hautes Cances rouge