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 — 18 days ago

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!!!!!
— 18 days ago

with Deked1

romo

9.2

One of the good years. Hitting its stride w a touch of reduction. — 18 days ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.3

Medium ruby , quite wide medium ruby garnet rim . This is quite aromatic , with earthy sous bois , violets , black pepper , garrigue . On the palate quite elegant and dark fruited , bright acidity and quite strict tannins . Good cassis, blackberry , menthol touches , sous bois , grafite finish . This is ready and drinking well but will probably continue at this level for another 5-10 years or so. At Drouant Restaurant, Paris . — 5 days ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Nose of red and black fruits with light wood, tobacco and chocolate notes.

Dry on the palate with sweet raspberries, cherries, light oak, licorice, chocolates, spices and earth.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This young Grenache blend is starting to drink very nicely now, with nice complexity and a soft mouthfeel.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 15 years.

Elegant and rich. Interesting and engaging. A very traditional Châteauneuf-du-Pape in style.

Well balanced and good by itself as a sipping wine. Will also pair nicely with food.

A blend of all 13 allowed grapes in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but mostly Grenache. Hand picked and whole cluster. Aged for 2 years in large French oak barrels.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$110. — 10 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Saint-Joseph 2018 – Northern Rhône, France 🇫🇷
A bold, complex expression of 100% Syrah from a vintage that gifted power, structure, and finesse. The V.2018 shows off the Northern Rhône’s savory elegance with a well-knit depth that speaks of place and patience.

Aromas open with an inky burst of blackcurrant, plum, and blackberry, followed by savory black pepper, nutmeg, and hints of honeysuckle and dried herbs. Deep and inviting, with layers that continue to evolve in the glass.

On the palate, expect a symphony of smoked meat, tapenade, and roasted herbs de Provence. There’s a velvety interplay of dark chocolate, licorice, and a touch of oak. Earthy yet polished, with that unmistakable Rhône grip.

Mouthfeel overall: Full-bodied and structured, with round, supple tannins and great tension between ripe black fruit and savory complexity. Black tea, bay leaf, and meaty notes add intrigue and a lasting, soulful finish.

A wine with serious aging potential, ready to drink it now with a decant or cellar for 10+ years to let the tertiary charm fully unfurl. A standout for Rhône lovers.

Pair with roasted lamb, duck confit, or aged cheeses. Santé!
— 8 hours ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days and frankly, this was spectacular throughout. The 2020 pours a deep, ruby-purple with an opaque core and a magenta rim; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine smells like walking into a European delicatessen; developing with notes of mostly ripe and some tart, black, red and blue fruits. There’s mixed brambles, fig, blueberry, lavender, black pepper, olive brine, a melange of cool and warm baking spices and rocky earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. It’s been a couple of years since I last enjoyed this vintage of Graillot and it remains absolutely brilliant. Drink now through 2040. — 20 hours ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

From 375ml.

A very good Rhone producer visited in 2015.

At pop & pour, the fruits almost had a mid berry bubble gum character. That toned down almost immediately. Fruits are ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, baked plums, raspberries, dark cherries, juicy strawberries, chocolate bar to fudge, grilled, smoked meats, black pepper, dark spice, nutmeg, clove, iron pan, black tea, a touch of rubber toy, slight tarriness, dry herbs, roasted chestnuts, tobacco leaf, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, hints of mint, dark, red flowers, violet’s, nice acidity with a well balanced-structured, stiffly tensioned with a lush finish that lasts 90 seconds and lands on earthiness & spice.

Plenty of life left in this 2012, even in 375ml. — 2 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

Another great one showing finesse & elegance with black cherry, berry, spice, crushed rock, licorice, graphite & violets — 11 days ago

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 — 19 days ago

with Walker and David