La Syrah

Thierry Allemand

Chaillot Cornas Syrah 2012

Shay A
9.5

Opened for a buddy’s birthday, alongside a 2005 Tatty Comtes, 2015 Cristal, 2018 Realm Falstaff and 2023 Kobayashi M/R.

I still remember my first Allemand seven years ago and how it immediately reeled me in and every bottle since has been the exact same. The rusticity and feral nature of Cornas is why for me, as a Syrah fanboy, it’s the best and most pure region for this wonderful grape.

Removed cork about an hour before pouring. Initial notes of olive, black pepper spice and herbs, some smoked meat and a brief blood-orange citrus aromatic. Deep red/black in the glass. There’s a layer of brett (low level, adds to the intrigue, doesn’t detract) and lavender bouquet before peppered strip, herbs, raspberries and blackberries, and a sanguine tang hit the palate. Not sure of whole cluster use here but seems there’s a little bit (which I love). Wild but civilized. Medium-plus bodied with beautiful acidity and plenty of tannin for this to cruise years. On the early side, but these are so hard to resist in every phase.

I wish I could drink this every day. I need to find a wine of similar style at a better price point.
— 13 days ago

David, Paul and 22 others liked this
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

Sounds fantastic!!

Pierre Gonon

Saint-Joseph Syrah 2023

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2023 pours a ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with an explosion of smoked blackberry pie, purple flowers, bacon fat, olive, black pepper, and subtle warm spices. On the palate the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose however, the wine finishes much more elegant than the nose would suggest. The bouquet might lead one to think this is possibly over the top. However, on the palate, it was far more elegant. Another vintage, another stunning Gonon. Drink now through 2043. — 25 days ago

Andrew, Douglas and 6 others liked this

Paul Jaboulet Aîné

Domaine de Thalabert Crozes-Hermitage Syrah

Good northern rhone. 2015 vintage mature in 2025. $35. — 20 days ago

Château de Saint-Cosme

Côtes du Rhône Syrah 2024

I’ve seen this label so many times it was easy to dismiss. A big, dark, joyous bottle ( including the bottle itself, which is hefty). Syrah all the way. — 6 days ago

Doug, Daniel and 4 others liked this
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@Peter Sultan, St. Cosme CdR has long been a great QPR red, the Gigondas single cuvées are outstanding!!!
Peter Sultan

Peter Sultan Influencer Badge

Yes’um @Doug Powers ! I should have said I’ve drunk it a million times before so easy to dismiss, but it tastes fresh & different than bottles from at least a decade ago. A serious QPR indeed..

Alban Vineyards

Reva Alban Estate Vineyard Syrah 2013

Lots of sediment but turned into lovely wine. Much better than my last one. These apparently need a lot of time. — 17 days ago

Doug, Tom and 1 other liked this

Alain Graillot

Crozes-Hermitage Syrah 2021

Easy going, ready to drink Crozes, lighter body with pronounced red and blue fruit — 7 months ago

Paul Jaboulet Aîné

La Chapelle Hermitage Syrah 2012

This was showing well with notes of red, black fruits, sweet on the palate with savory spice, earth, licorice, leather & tobacco — 4 days ago

Scott@Mister, Andrew and 4 others liked this

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

Hermitage Syrah 1997

The pinnacle of Syrah.

It opens with smoked meat, dried black olive, leather, and stone.

The palate is graceful and savory, where fading dark fruit, iron, and earth glide on silken, fully melted tannins.

Legendary Hermitage!
— 3 days ago

E. Guigal

Brune et Blonde de Guigal Côte-Rotie Syrah

WSET3 London. Outstanding wine. — a month ago

Sagee, Ted and 3 others liked this