Jane Nuss

9.1

Deep ruby with a hint of purple. Aromas of oak, blackberry, cherry, vanilla, and licorice. The palate offers ripe raspberry, blueberry, and plum, with smoky notes that soften after a 4.5-hour decant. The alcohol is noticeable but more balanced with air. Full-bodied with medium-plus tannins, high acidity, and a smooth, velvety texture. Drinking well now but has good aging potential.
— a month ago

Austin Hohnke

9.1

Polished, heady, and flavorful. Smooth PnP.
Not as energetic on day 2, which I often find with Grenache. — 7 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Medium Ruby color with aromas of ripe black and red fruits and pepper spice. On the palate flavors of plums and ripe red berries with herb, licorice and pepper spice. Fine soft tannins with, medium+ finish ending with fruit, mushroom and earthy notes. — 21 days ago

Jenks

9.4

Drank through a vertical of this, 2012-2015, quite different oldest to youngest. The ‘12 smelled like a dusty old closet, some funk, surprisingly lean wine, good after some air. ‘14 was the best mix of fruit and garrigue. Fun experience. — 15 days ago

Doug Powers

9.4

[En magnum] Dried redfruits, smooth and mature, relatively clean (very low Brett) bottle, good balance and length, lingering finish, very fine aged Beaucastel. — 4 days ago

with Jim

Mark S.

9.1

Good concentration. Herb and blueberry notes is on the surface. Balanced sweetness, spiciness and acidity. Xavier Vignon Châteauneuf du Pape Rouge Cuvée Anonyme 19 @1760, domaine, 241216 — 6 days ago

Ellen Clifford

9.2

75% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre —a total stunner she is, drinkable now with a body to go the difference. The nose brings red fruits (plums, cherries, strawberries) and roses and rose petals. The palate is silky-smooth, fresh fruit giving way to tootsie roll and stewed fruit flavors, augmented by earth and sanguine balsamic grooves, a bit of herbal garrigue carrying the day. The finish carries on, persistent and solidly ethereal if we can make that a thing. — a month ago

Vanessa

9.2

We were initially drawn to this iconic Art Deco label but fell in love with what’s on the inside…

This Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC wine is a blend of Grenache Noir, Syrah, Cinsault & Mourvèdre, produced by L’Oratoire des Papes.

It’s a youthful wine (considering its potential lifespan) bursting with fruit on the nose and palate, such as stewed strawberry, ripe raspberry, red and black plum, cherry, boysenberry, blueberry, kirsch, wildflowers, dark chocolate, vanilla, cured meat, graphite, licorice, anise, black peppercorn, clove, tobacco, and wet leaves.

On the palate this wine is dry, with warming and well-integrated alcohol (15% ABV), a full body, and notable acidity that adds lift to the plush and fleshy characteristics. The tannins are ripe and smooth. The finish lingers.

We’re appreciating the balance of vibrant fruit and layers of non-fruit qualities. — 17 days ago

with Deked1

Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of dinner. The 2012 Cuvée Réservée pours a deep ruby color with a slightly hazy, but mostly transparent core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with fabulous notes of ripe red and black bramble fruit: raspberries, Marionberries, licorice, red flowers, horse blanket, dried herbs, leather, and stony earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and luscious. This is a very lovely Pegau that is squarely in its prime and strutting all of its stuff. Drink now through 2032. — 20 days ago

Gilbert Van Hassel

9.6

Two great thanksgiving wines but with a very clear winner and not even difficult to guess. I have zero emotion with the Margaux and love the elegance of the Rayas even in a year that may be a bit less. — 23 days ago