Ray Vanderhoff

9.3

Washington State Syrah from the Wahluke Slope AVA. Dark ruby color with a few black highlights. Aromas of cooked blue and black fruit, wet soil, purple flowers and smoked meat. Flavors of blackberry/blueberry jam, black olives, dark chocolate, dried herbs and roasted nuts. A bit of black pepper spice on the long and deeply concentrated mineral laden finish. Medium-plus body with slightly chewy fine grained tannins. Well balanced acidity and a slightly creamy texture. Quite good. Memorial Day 2026. — a month ago

Jamie Lauder

8.9

2024 vintage.
Grenache and Syrah blend.
Bright ruby colour.
Medium bodied, spicy, lively and juicy.
Plums, cherries, raspberries and currants with a woodsy, slightly earthy and a white pepper finish.
— 2 months ago

Howard Greenfield

9.5

89 Magnum — 3 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

M. Chapoutier “Chante-Alouette” Hermitage Blanc 2021, Rhône Valley, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A benchmark Hermitage Blanc made from Marsanne sourced from multiple parcels including Le Méal and Les Murets. The soils combine clay, limestone, and decomposed granite, contributing both richness and tension.

Aromas & Flavors
Complex and layered with quince, acacia honey, almond, ginger, and delicate floral tones. Hints of walnut and spice emerge with air.

Mouthfeel
Rich yet balanced with vibrant tension. The palate shows remarkable depth with a long, textured finish.

Food Pairings
Lobster, foie gras, roasted poultry, truffle dishes, or aged cheeses.

Verdict
A sophisticated Hermitage Blanc that showcases the complexity and longevity of Marsanne from this legendary hill.

🍷 Personal Pick
A horse of a different color, deeply complex and cerebral. The nutty, honeyed character balanced by vibrant tension makes this a fascinating and thought-provoking wine. — 3 months ago

Alden Ridley

8.9

Really good Bordeaux blend. When we heard it was aged in concrete we knew we had to try it since we talked about that method in class this week. Bonus points for being natural! Fruity and smooth and some good age on it — 4 months ago

Gustavo

9.8

Maria Victória — 4 months ago

Makhanna Seerattan

9.6

Really nice, flavorful but felt light. Mom liked. Rich liked. — 6 months ago

Conrad Green

9.3

Coming round now and quite drinkable. Good fruit with a complex nose with tobacco, spice, iron, Meatiness and good clarity. Driving well. — 5 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2010 vintage. Courtesy of @Pinotman /// Andreas. Great fill. Nice cork. Opened with a Durand and decanted. Minimal sed. Tasted 45 minutes, 1.25 hours and 2 hours after open/decant. Initial gamey, smoky nose mostly dissipated and Chambord/dark plum rushed in to fill the vacuum. Medium-medium heavy body still. Surprising, this had not thinned out and was drinking mostly primary. Never been the biggest Chapoutier fan but will be keeping an eye out for this one in the May gray/grey market. Absolutely no rush to crush as this is aging at a (pre-Industrial Revolution) glacial pace. Thank you again @Pinotman /// Andreas!!! 4.17.26. — 2 months ago

Hamilton Schwartz

9.0

Passover 26 — 3 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

M. Chapoutier “De L’Orée” Ermitage Blanc 2021, Rhône Valley, France 🇫🇷

Overview
One of Chapoutier’s most celebrated single-vineyard Marsanne wines, sourced from very old vines (60–70 years) in the Les Murets parcel. The ancient alluvial soils contribute immense concentration and depth.

Aromas & Flavors
Intensely aromatic with citrus, acacia, caramel, ripe orchard fruit, and floral undertones, layered with toasted nuts and subtle spice.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied, powerful, and incredibly complex with remarkable length and precision.

Food Pairings
Lobster, scallops, foie gras, roasted poultry, or rich cream-based dishes.

Verdict
A monumental expression of Hermitage Blanc that demonstrates the extraordinary potential of old-vine Marsanne.

🍷 Personal Pick
My absolute favorite of the lineup. This single-vineyard Hermitage shows the firepower of old vines with stunning depth and complexity, easily among the best Marsanne ever tasted. Phenomenal.
— 3 months ago

Andrea Watt

9.4

Oak, chocolate, and leather. Big, rich, and full. — 4 months ago

Jordin Page

9.3

Delicious - cherry and rose petal. Easy to drink yet interesting. Don’t love a lot of gamays but this one is great. — 4 months ago

Andrew McIntyre

9.3

Love this wine and producer. Maybe a little too far a long for its age but still so enjoyable. Good value, quality wine. Paired with beef wellington — 6 months ago

John Malcolm

9.4

Drank my last bottle. Upped my rating a bit. A lovely wine. — 10 hours ago

Rufus King

9.1

Rich French red blend, served on Viking Danube cruise — 2 months ago

muoi Mulry

9.1

This was tasty worth the extra $ — 2 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Opened prior to dinner. The 2009 “Le Méal” Blanc pours a light gold color with medium+ viscosity. On the nose, the wine was initially a bit reductive but that eventually gave way to ripe peaches, passion fruit, a mix of white and yellow flowers, beeswax, almonds, minerals and there was also a wild note of Bandaid with Neosporin (you can’t make this up). On the palate, the wine is dry with medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. The alcohol is high but balanced. Drink now with patience through 2039. — 3 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

M. Chapoutier “Monier de la Sizeranne” Hermitage Rouge 2020, Rhône Valley, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A classic Hermitage Syrah sourced from several parcels including Les Bessards, Le Méal, and Les Greffieux. The vineyards combine granite and clay soils that give the wine both structure and richness.

Aromas & Flavors
Raspberry, blackberry, and cassis are complemented by black pepper, licorice, and subtle smoky notes.

Mouthfeel
Elegant yet structured with concentrated tannins and a long, spicy finish.

Food Pairings
Venison, roasted beef, duck, or aged cheeses.

Verdict
A refined Hermitage Syrah that captures the balance of power and elegance characteristic of the appellation.

🍷 Personal Pick
A beautifully structured Hermitage Syrah that showcases the depth and elegance of the appellation with impressive balance and complexity. — 3 months ago

John Wilmot

9.3

Christmas Day wine — 6 months ago