John Livingstone-Learmonth

John is the UK's leading expert on wines from the Rhone Valley. John has published tasting notes on about 26,000 wines which can be viewed on his website by following the link:

www.drinkrhone.com

Top Rhone wines are expensive and a small investment in John's website subscription would be a very wise move because the best wines are not necessarily the most costly. His ratings range from a potential one star (*) right up to the stratospheric 6*. About 2 wines in every 1000 are awarded 6 stars.  We have sixty 5* wines and ten 6* wines in stock, quite a few of which are offered on the website.

We've added some of John's tasting notes to our site. This is how his star system works:

* (1 star) Adequate, drinkable, not inspiring and for a lesser category like a vin de pays, quite good.

** (2 stars) Sound wine, has some character; I would consider buying it if the price were right. Very good if a vin de pays.

*** (3 stars) Good wine, some outright interest; certainly a wine I would buy without hesitation. Would also have the potential to develop.

**** (4 stars) Very good wine. Should be balanced, should have correct tannins and ageing potential. From appellations like Crozes, St-Joseph or St-Péray, a firm recommendation to buy.

***** (5 stars) Excellent wine, a wine of pedigree, balance and interest. Should have harmony, excellent length, and plenty of potential. If from a senior appellation like Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie or Cornas, a definite buy.

****** (6 stars) Outstanding, the cat's whiskers. Grand Vin - sumptious, majestic, seductive - a wine to make even the veteran drinker stop, pause and reflect. Bank loans permissible to purchase these wines.