Simone Joseph, les Vignes Parallèles Côtes du Rhône 2011 and Simone Joseph Chardonnay are two of the bottles of the week in the  Irish Times 27th April 2013

the Sunday Times (Irl) - Simon, along with Liam Cabot from Cabot and Co. will be 'de-mystifying wine at One Pery Square in Limerick starting 1st May:

Image magazine Febraury 2013 issue:

Janasse, Châteauneuf du Pape " It's the French red that produces lustful frenzy in wine lovers" 

If you would like to order this product please call lo-call: 1890 252 624 or e-mail: wine@thewinestore.ie

The recent Wine Store review in John and Sally McKennas' Guides:

  http://www.bestofbridgestone.com/recommendations/wine-store

Irish Times, 5th January 2013, in John Wilson's Bottles of the Week:

"Domaine du Monteillet, Vin de Pays des Collines Rhodanniennes, Syrah 2010, 12.5%, €15.95 This is a wonderfully elegant wine, refreshing, with clean savoury dark fruits."

to read the John's full article click here.

16th December 2012 in the Sunday Business Post Tomás Clancy writes that Stéphane Ogier's Côtes du Rhône 'Le Temps est Venu' is a "must have, bargain wine" 

John Wilson's Wines of the Year 2012, The Irish Times, issued with the paper on 29th November 2012. Our Wines That Featured were:

Domaine du Monteillet, St Joseph 'Grand Duc' 2010

More information on this wine can be found here

Simone Joseph, Vin de Pays de France, Chardonnay 2010

More information on this wine can be found here

Domaine de la Citadelle, Luberon, 'Chataignier', rouge, 2010

More information on this wine can be found here

Absolutely delighted with the award for our parent company, received from Tomás Clancy in the Sunday Business Post:

Irish Times Wines of the Year 2011 booklet is out with the paper today (2nd December) here are the wines of ours that feature:

Domaine de la Renaudie, Chenin Blanc, Touraine 2009 (which was included in our Something Different Christmas Three)

(unfortunately this Chenin Blanc is no longer available, the Domaine do not make it every year and have not made it since the 2009 vintage.)

Dominio di Bibei, Lalama, Ribeira Sacra, 2007 (which was also included in our Something Different Christmas Three)

Domaine du Monteillet, 'les Hauts du Monteillet' Syrah, 2009 for more click here. (The white 'les Hauts du Monteillet' was included in our Northern Rhône Christmas Three)

Domaine de la Sarabande, 'Misterioso' 2010 Faugères (which was included in our Irish Connection Christmas Three)

 In the Irish Times Magazine of 17 Sept 2011, John Wilson selects Domaine du Monteillet, Syrah as a great match for game, amd writes:

John Wilson in the Irish Times Magazine, 16 July 2011, asks why not buy...

John Wilson reviews Domaine de la Sarabande Rosé in the Irish Times, 16 July 2011:

Domaine de Fondrèche, 'Nature' reviewed by John Wilson in the Irish Times, 9 July 2011

In the Sunday Business Post of 1 May 2011 Tomás Clancy looks at 'Natural Wines' and recommends 2 wines from Sebastien Vincenti at Domaine de Fondrèche:

In the Sunday Business Post of 17 April 2011 Tomás Clancy writes 'All roads lead to Rhône' and we  couldn't agree more! The first 5 of his 'Recommended peak wines' are all available here:  

In the Irish Times Magazine of 2 April 2011 John Wilson writes of the la Rosine Syrah 2009 from Stéphane Ogier "The La Rosine is always excellent, but in 2009 it is a stunning, elegant wine.."

In the Sunday Business Post of 23 January 2011, Tomás Clancy's wine article focused on Biodynamics and Tomás picks Domaine les Aphillanthes, Cuvée des Galets as one of his 'Fine biodynamic wines'. For more see our Newsletter page.

Irish Independent Weekend Magazine 22 January 2011, Katherine Donnelly writes about the Simone Joseph Vignes Paralleles 2008 'medium-bodied southern Rhône blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan, dominated by sweet, spicy and smoky black fruit with a liquorice feel.'

Irish Times Wines of the Year, Friday, December 3, 2010

The Star Buy out of all the reds in this year's booklet is the Simone Joseph Syrah 2008 Vin de Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes, 'elegant and refined' writes John Wilson, 'a textbook example of northern Rhône at a very competitive price'

Also included in John Wilson's Irish Times Wines of the Year:

the Lalama 2006 from Dominio do Bebei 'streets ahead of anything I have tasted from this D.O. .. Those of you who like Burgundy should seek this out'

 
Saint Joseph la Cuvée du Papy from Domaine du Monteillet, 'from one of the rising stars of the northern Rhône... Worth every penny'

 
Bourgogne Aligoté 2008 from Domaine Goisot 'full of lip-smacking mineral acidity and pears, finishing beautifully'

the Susterris 2008 from Castel d'Encus in the Spanish Pyrennees, a 'brilliant wine'
and in the WINES WITH TURKEY section Pouilly-Fuissé 2007 from Domaine Olivier Merlin 'Merlin is something of a magician with Chardonnay, and it shows in this wonderful, restrained Pouilly-Fuissé.'

The Financial Times Weekend Magazine, November 27/28 2010

Jancis Robinson's wine of the week in the Financial Times Magazine, p37, November 27/28 2010 is the Dominio do Bibei, Lalama 2006 Ribeira Sacra 'drinking very well now but I would happily follow it over the next four or five years. It is already a versatile partner for food - it even stands up to kippers.'

Saturday Independent, 20 November 2010

Katherine Donnelly writes about the Simone Joseph Syrah Vin de Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes 2008: 'A touch of class from northern Rhone and its signature red grape, Syrah; the light alcohol touch (12.5pc) allows for full expression of a beguiling floral perfume and fruit purity. Fresh and elegant with lots of vibrant blackcurrant and cherry notes, hints of cloves, a savoury underpinning and a firm backbone.'

Food & Wine Magazine October 2010

The Simone Joseph Chardonnay 2009 and the Simone Joseph Syrah 2005 both feature in October's Guinea Pig Club, with the Syrah getting the highest scores of all the wines featured. There are only 180 bottles of this wine left, ever (as of 20 Sept 2010), and the Guinea Pigs compared to it a Chateuaneuf du Pape, referred to it as "full, rich, exciting, sexy, spicy" and said they'd pay €17 - €20 for a bottle - we're selling it for €14.99 ! Raymond Blake rated it his favourite. They reckoned the Chardonnay was worth between €12 and €20 and we're selling it here at €11.50.

Sunday Tribune 1 August 2010

Lar Veale writes up 3 Burgundies: Domaine G & JH Goisot Aligoté, 2008 "Wonderful"; Domaine Simon Bize & Fils Bourgogne 'Les Perrières' 2007, Lar likens this to a Meursualt "without the hefty price tag"; Domaine Hubert Bouzereau-Gruere et Filles Meursault Villages, 2006 "If the Aligoté above is the wispy elegant Keira Knightly, then this is the curvaceous Scarlett Johansson"!

Irish Times Magazine 31 July 2010

John Wilson inculdes the Dominio do Bibei Lalama as one of his wines of the week and writes it is "streets ahead of anything I have tasted from this region" and also "Those of you who like red Burgundy should seek this out"

Social & Personal August 2010

Myles McWeeney calls 5 of the wines on our site 'Rare Gems'

Castell d'Encus 'Susterris' Costers del Segre 2008 (white); Simone Joseph Chardonnay 2008; Domaine de la Citadelle 'Chataignier' red 2008; Domaine de Fondrèche Fayard 2008; Dominio do Bibei Lalama 2006

Irish Times Magazine, July 3, 2010

John Wilson's article on Chardonnay mentions Simone Joseph Chardonnay, he calls it "a nicely-crafted Chardonnay with an excellent balance of medium rich fruit and fine acidity" and says "given the price it's a bit of a steal"

Sunday Business Post, Agenda Magazine, June 13, 2010

Tomas Clancy's article this week looks into the AC system and suggests that that something similar would be the way forward for Irish artisan food prodcution. In his example of how the AC (appellation contrôllée) works he focuses on the Rhône Valley and in particular on "young, superstar winemaker" Stéphane Montez of Domaine du Monteillet and his artisan wines:

Les Hauts du Monteillet, Vin de Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes: red, white and rosé

Domaine du Monteillet 'Les Grandes Chaillées' Condrieu

Domaine du Momteillet St Joseph rouge

Domaine du Monteillet la Cuvée du Papy

Domaine du Monteillet Cote-Rotie 'Fortis'

Irish Times Magazine June 12, 2010

John Wilson looks at the 2009 vintage. When it comes to the Rhone he says "Reports from the Rhone suggest that this could be the best vintage since the legendary 1961"

One of the Wines of the Week is the St Joseph Cuvée du Papy from Domaine du Monteillet, "from one of the rising stars of the northern Rhone... a beautiful elegant, succelent wine..."

Irish Times Magazine May 29, 2010

John Wilson interviews Erik and Michelle Robson, founders and owners of the Ely Wine Bars in Dublin, the Storeroom team can often be found in one of these on a Friday evening, great food, great wines, great service. We are delighted to see that Erik's Wines of the Week include 3 stocked here:

Domaine Alary Cairanne, 'La Brunote' 2007

Simone Joseph Syrah 2005, Vin de Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes

Castell d'Encus Susterris 2008, Costers del Segre (white)

John Wilson in the Sunday Tribune, 13 January 2008 on Bonnefond, Ogier, Montez: "......three young Turks who are making some of the most exciting red wines in France today. Those of Stéphane Ogier are delicate and feminine, almost Burgundian in their ethereal aromas. Stéphane Montez, whose vineyards lie a little further south, show a more savoury tanginess, and a light dryness. Lastly, those of Christophe Bonnefond have a sublime purity of fruit I find irresistible . . . but all three deserve a place in your cellar."

Domaine de la Janasse John Wilson in the Irish Times Magazine, 12 July 2008: "This domaine make some of the finest Châteauneuf du Pape, wines really worth seeking out if you want a real treat."

Domaine de Fondrèche (all of their wines recieved 90+when reviewed in November 2008) Robert Parker: "I have to admit I have been a massive fan of the wines from Domaine Fondrèche and I often find myself reeling at how splendid their wines are vis-à-vis value....These were all beautifully executed wines with exceptional fruit intensity, thrilling balance, good acidity levels, ostensibly sleek, focused, refreshing wines that can be either drunk young or will cellar for 4-6 years, possibly longer."

Simone Joseph, Vin de Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes, Syrah 2006 (voted one of the top tipples of 2008) John Wilson, Irish Times Magazine, 10th July. "This delighful light wine with its dark cherry and damson fruits and a touch of liquorice is perfect with most white and red meats"

Domaine des Escaravailles, Côtes du Rhone "Le Petit Scarabée" 2008 (Chosen by the Guinea Pig Club in Food & Wine Magazineô "5/5 Would be happy to bring this to a small dinner party for something a little different".

Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate (February, 2008) "Fondrèche is the reference point for what can be done in the Côtes du Ventoux. This is a source of sensational wines that still sell for incredibly fair prices, and virtually every one of these selections proves that you don't have to drink luxury-priced Bordeaux, Burgundy or Napa Cabernets to experience the multiple joys of wine."

Again Fondrèche: Bettane & Desseauve, Le Grand Guide des Vins de France 2009 "This high quality domaine has been performing at the highest level for the last dozen years or so and it is unquestionably the most exemplary estate of the Côtes du Ventoux. The wines are fleshy but balanced, always showing lots of finesse thanks to a well situated vineyard on a clay-limestone soil."

Joe Breen, The Irish Times (March 2007) "There was plenty to like in a recent tasting of heavy-hitters from the Rhône valley. But, surprisingly, it was the southern Rhône connection in the shape of Sébastien Vincenti of Domaine de Fondrèche and Serge Férigoule of Domaine le Sang des Cailloux which were, relatively speaking, the most impressive. Vincenti's range of Côtes du Ventoux white and reds (see bottles of the week), made according to biodynamic principles, are really impressive, with dense, aromatic black fruit and great elegance."