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The wines > Saint-Peray

• DOMAINE CHABOUD
  

  LVT 2007 r wh The most important domaine at St-Péray. The Chabouds have defended the appellation and kept the private domaine side going. They have always grown Roussanne along with Marsanne. The Roussanne wines are fresh, refined and spiced. The Marsannes show honey aromas, white fruit flavours. All the wines are fair and sound but would be improved if there were fewer cuvées. They also make three sparkling St-Pérays, which are reliable in that not very inspiring genre. The Cornas can improve as Stéphan Chaboud gets more used to the vineyards. The Cornas Réserve can live for 10-14 years.

• DOMAINE DU TUNNEL
  

  LVT 2008 r 2008 wh A domaine of undoubted promise, with some STGT leanings in the wines. The wines come in an elegant fashion, with genuine textures and an emphasis on pleasure in the drinking. The St-Pérays are agreeable both on their own and with food. The Cornas is marked by early tannins and the Prestige or Vin Noir is best to drink from 4 to 5 years on. The St-Joseph is a soft wine, accessible early on. Rental agreements mean that Stéphane Robert now has access to old vineyards, boosting the set of young vines that he has laboured hard to plant since his arrival at St-Péray in 1993-94.

• GUY DARONA
  

  Last wine made in 2005. Guy Darona`s mother is a Gripa, and in 2005 Guy decided to give up, with his wine difficult to sell. It had been one of the last local domaines at St-Péray. As cousins of the Daronas, the Gripa family at Saint-Joseph was the obvious successor. Half Darona`s Saint-Péray was méthode champenoise or sparkling, and it was one of the best. It comes with a vintage. The still wine became an oak-only production from 2004, called the Jardin des Faures. The crop quality here is good given the location of the vineyards, and the still wine, mostly sold to a local following, is good if the oak does not dominate.

• JEAN-LOUIS THIERS, EARL DU BIGUET
  

  LVT 2008 wh 2007 r A domaine for very sound, occasionally delightful, full St-Péray still wine - a good local feel comes through after 3 years. The sparkling wine is respectable. There is likeable Cornas from old vines - very drinkable after 4-5 years, very consistent, often good value, never especially full.

• PIC et CHAPOUTIER
  

  A recent joint-venture between Chapoutier and Anne-Sophie Pic, the daughter of the legendary Jacques Pic, 3-star Michelin restaurateur in Valence. In February 2007, Anne-Sophie received her own 3 star Michelin award. The style is very ample.