Rhône Valley

Château de Saint-Cosme

Gigondas Red Rhone Blend 2021

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three days. Best on Day 3. The 2021 pours, a deep ruby color with medium+ viscosity and moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with gorgeous notes of black and red bramble fruit, red and purple flowers, black pepper, garrigue, dried herbs, rocky earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose where the pepper plays an even greater role. The finishes long and the texture is silky smooth. The high alcohol is almost imperceptible. On Day 1, this was good but not particularly interesting (though the quality was clearly there). After significant air, this blossomed into a really compelling Gigondas; full of character! Best after 2026 and through 2036+. — 7 days ago

Vanessa, Shay and 12 others liked this

Château La Nerthe

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2020

Château dates back to 1560, records suggesting back to 12th century making it one of oldest estates in the heart of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC region near Avignon. Ruby with aromas of red fruit. Blend of about even amounts Grenache, Syrah, Mouvèdre & splash of mostly Cinsault. Aromas of berry fruits, oak & sweet spice. On the palate flavors of raspberry, cherry & blackberry, hints of oak, leather, vanilla spice & black pepper, aged in 20% new oak, complex & elegant, fine soft tannins, long finish, will age well. — 18 days ago

John, Anthony and 3 others liked this

Clos des Papes

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2019

The back label says 15.5% but I am digging this nonetheless. Nose has spiced dark berry fruit of pristine purity. There’s also a bit of crushed rock and fresh green herbs. In the mouth it’s so deep and flavorful. I don’t think I’d be able to say it’s over 15 if served this blind. Length for days. Delicious. — 19 days ago

Angelo Casagrande
with Angelo
Angelo, Pooneet and 20 others liked this

Château de Beaucastel

Coudoulet de Beaucastel Côtes du Rhône Red Rhône Blend 1999

This is clearly more evolved than the 1999 Beaucastel CdP, but with that said, it’s still a terrific 25-year-old Côtes du Rhône, nice balance, medium-long finish, definitely mature, time to drink up! — 12 days ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Bob, Jan and 2 others liked this

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 1999

Great color, still very youthful at age 25, this paired perfectly with some farm-raised elk loins we purchased in Reno 3 months ago that I grilled on the Weber, complex, long finish, really quite fine!! — 12 days ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Bob, Jan and 3 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

Tom Casagrande Influencer Badge

Niiiiiiice!

Thierry Allemand

Chaillot Cornas Syrah 2018

Dark, inky, sweet on the palate showing black cherry, berry fruit with lots of spice, blood, iron, black pepper, olive, crushed rock & violets. — 20 days ago

Ira, Andrew and 10 others liked this

Paul Jaboulet Aîné

La Chapelle Hermitage Syrah 1978

From mag. A soulful, slightly tangy savory wine. Red fruit, medium bodied with a heft of acidity. Pretty and complex — 6 days ago

Matt LichtenbergAmanda Crawford
with Matt and Amanda
Jan, Severn and 10 others liked this

Domaine Auguste Clape

Cornas Syrah 2016

Very young and sappy. Fine and intense. Excellent boy young — 4 days ago

Shay, LM and 9 others liked this

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

L'Hermitage Syrah 2019

Jan A
9.7

Crazy supple and streamlined. Bright future ahead — 13 days ago

Roman, Tom and 13 others liked this

E. Guigal

La Turque Côte-Rôtie Syrah 2011

Great vintage for the La La’s. But it’s not ready. The nose is stunning, captivatingly aromatic after a few hours in the decanter, layered with Northern Rhône classicism of blackberry, camphor and bacon fat. The palate is massively concentrated but oaky and stiff. Needs more time to integrate but all the pieces are there! — 21 days ago

Jan, Bob and 7 others liked this