2018 Bonpas Croix de Bonpas Cotes du Rhone 750 ml

A Rhône wine this bold and mouthwatering would have blown us away at three times the price and with zero press. 

Not only does this 2018 Croix de Bonpas manage to push all our favorite Côtes du Rhône buttons at just $16 per bottle, it—incredibly—earned a whopping 96 points. But (luckily for us) not before we leaned on our back channels to secure our allocation.

Glowing deep ruby in the glass, this rich, concentrated head-turner has a tantalizing Mission plum core outlined with fresh tobacco and licorice, and offers a signature Rhône bouquet of violet, lilacs, cinnamon, and holiday baking spice. 

“Classy, long, and focused,” was Decanter’s 96-point Gold Award verdict in its 2019 World Wine Awards review, and indeed its layers of dark berry have a silky yet firm tannic frame that carries through the finish alongside a refreshing wash of acidity. 

The Croix de Bonpas was a runaway hit the last time we offered it. We didn’t stop working until we secured the next available vintage, fueled by the chorus of feedback we received like, “Great wine at a great price,” “Definitely would buy another case,” and “This is a wonderful Rhône."

Since 1318, the ancient Bonpas estate has been renowned for two main things: its mastery with the Grenache grape and its alluvial soils dotted with round stones, lending character and elegance to wines that hail from the banks of the Durance River. Bonpas (from the French Bon Passage) originated as a fortified stronghold that watched over the safe crossing of the river along the historic route that once linked Rome with Avignon. A gateway to the southern Côtes du Rhône, Bonpas benefitted from the high visibility of its wines. 

The winery, therefore, relies on a 700-year history in the region to coax dense concentration, aromatic delicacy, and elegant structure from the Grenache grape, which shines in this release, accented with Syrah and Carignan. Vines in excess of 25 years of age, located between the Uchaux Hills and Plan de Dieu, help provide the depth and extract that make this release drink like a bottle twice the price.

The Croix de Bonpas sits at the perfect nexus of quality and value, a combination that was pushed to a whole other level in the outstanding 2018 vintage. 

A satisfying Rhône red of deep flavor and crave-inducing delivery, this hits all the notes of the last vintage we offered and then some. For those of you who have been asking us for more, the 96-point score on this 2018 Croix de Bonpas should only further fan a flame that’s already been lit. Just don’t take too long considering how much you’ll need until the next vintage—it doesn’t stand a chance in our inventory at this price.