Jay Kline

9.5

Presented to me double-blind. The wine pours a brilliant, deep ruby color with a transparent core and some rim variation; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and faint signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with a heady perfume of mostly ripe and some tart fruit: mixed brambles, black cherry, purple flowers (lavender?), animale, some pepper, a touch of olive, a touch of leather, some green herbs, fine warm spices and rocky earth. I believe this has seen oak and it’s beautifully balanced and smells expensive. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Alcohol is medium+. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the texture is grippy. This is delicious.

Initial conclusions: this could be Sangiovese, Pinot Noir, Gamay, a Grenache-based blend or possibly Syrah; from Italy, or France. Immediately after I was presented the glass, I liked this being Sangiovese, however, there was too much new French oak for me to feel comfortable. Besides, the florals were too purple to be Sangiovese anyway (never mind Grenache or Pinot Noir). Then there were the non-fruits: it could be justified by whole cluster Pinot or Gamay…or was this a really impressive Syrah? This wine seemed familiar to me. This could be Chave. I did think this had some age based on color and rim variation. Final conclusion: I’m calling this Syrah, from France, from Northern Rhône, Hermitage, with 20+ years of age, from a decent vintage like 2004. And for the hell if it, I called producer: Jean-Louis Chave. Boom. Bottle No. 3981 — 5 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

Another great one from the master that is dark, inky, open, expressive, balanced, elegant & floral — 11 days ago

John Chawluk

8.9

My Loup anniversary dinner. Much better than the Grenache ;) — 4 days ago

with Scotti

Vanessa

9.6

Where do I begin… this wine is stunning.

It is positively golden in color with concentrated notes of caramel, butterscotch, vanilla, creme brûlée, dried apricot, yellow apple,peach, nectarine, yellow cherry, kumquat, baked quince, lemon curd, honeysuckle, butter cream, lavender,, dried herbs, fennel, beeswax, honey, chamomile, hazelnut, praline, honey, & wet stones…

It’s textured!!! Waxy & mouth coating, full bodied, round, & opulent.

Alcohol is high at 14.5% ABV — it’s warming but balanced and integrated with the deeply rooted flavors and elevated, vibrant acidity. Yum!!!!!
— 5 days ago

with Deked1

Conrad Green

9.7

Ooh. Super fresh. Dark tangy fruit with a slightly medicinal edge. Plum and iodine. Dried herbs and a bloody, feral intensity. Amazing — 6 days ago

with Walker and David

Conrad Green

9.5

Intense dark fruit with a bright hit of acidity. Very clear and pure. Iron, Salinity, a hint of sweetness. Expressive and complex. Still young — 6 days ago

with Walker and David

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Easy to drink on pop & pour for such a young Syrah.

Reminded me a bit of the Domaine Rostaing’s I’ve enjoyed. Ripe black cherry, crème de cassis, violets, lavender, pepper, stem inclusion, notes of roasted chestnuts, grilled meats, iron pan, spices, dark flowers, nice acidity with good balance and elegant finish. — 2 days ago

S.S. Mandani

9.3

Oiliness, wool, lemon oil.

Citruss fruits (lemon), stonefruit (white peaches), white flowers, dandelions, viscous and textured like lemon oil. Waxy.

A bit of honeycomb and then a slight bitterness of almost like biting into an herb or like dried sea buckthorn, even.

Interesting and memorable. — 12 days ago

romo

9.2

One of the good years. Hitting its stride w a touch of reduction. — 5 days ago

Conrad Green

9.4

Intense. BlackBerry and a touch of tar. Iron and minerality. Dried herbs. Savory and powerful and young. Great — 6 days ago

with David and Walker