Cherry, violet, hay, a tiny touch of licorice too. This is quite exciting and profound. The palate is showing a massive acid backbone, some width and grip, some cherry notes, but the fruit is a little discreet. There are tannins popping up in the rear, disturbing the mouthfeel, powering up a tangy finish with cherry and a nice bitter note along with a tiny salty touch, almost sea breezesque if that makes sense. This is a serious beaujo, very different from fruit bombs and other crowd-pleasing usual expressions that people tend to rave about. This is gastronomy wine and playing in the same league as some other wines from a different varietal that grow a bit farther to the north. — 4 months ago
It’s always a resounding ‘YES’ for JL Chave!!
That includes this luscious and concentrated Syrah from Saint-Joseph AOC in the Northern Rhône of France.
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave is a benchmark and icon of the Rhône Valley – a family-run operation since 1481 – with an entire range of deliciousness through the Domaine Jean-Louis Chave and JL Chave Selection portfolios.
This wine is deep ruby, trending on purple. It has pronounced aromas and flavors of boysenberry, blueberry, black cherry, cassis, pomegranate, also violet, bacon, sanguine, saddle leather, pipe tobacco, clove, cigar, damp earth, and black peppercorn. Alcohol is high (14.5% ABV) with medium (+) fine-grained and well-integrated tannins, medium (+) acidity, a medium (+) body, and a long, elegant finish.
It has a rustic and savory character with robust dark fruit notes; it’s layered, complex, structured, and age-worthy, benefitting from decanting. Still, it’s tasting wonderfully now.
Cheers to JL Chave and treasures of the Rhône!! — a month ago
Full-bodied Provençal rosé, served with pizza in Toronto — 8 months ago
Dark garnet hue. Aromas and flavors of cherry, oak, raspberry, rose petal, sage, strawberry, and tar. Light bodied, with plus tannins and high acidity. Length finish of baking spice and red fruits. Floral and fruit bouquet. Very easy drinking. — 2 months ago
The 2013 Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru has a slightly dusty bouquet at first, more black than red fruit, cooked meats, a touch of sous-bois and singed leather. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly rustic tannins. For a Grand Cru, I would have wanted more depth and grip, though that said, it is fresh with a pleasant dash of balsamic on the finish. Fine. (Neal Martin, Vinous, October 2023)
— 7 months ago
Pagodes de Cos is a second wine of Château Cos d’Estournel. 3 hour Decant. Web article, Second Growth Bordeaux according to the Bordeaux classification of 1855. Located in St.-Estephe, the château includes 160 acres of vineyards planted to 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. The average age of the vines is 35 years. Founded in the 18th century by Louis Gaspard d’Estournel, the château’s wines were so admired in the 19th century that they were in demand all over the world. The château was bought and sold many times during the late 19th and 20th centuries, and in 2000 it was acquired by Michel Reybier, under whose direction the château has continued its climb to excellence. Robert M. Parker Jr. has noted that Cos d’Estournel “has been particularly successful in difficult vintages” and “remains impeccably managed.” Some 200,000 bottles of the signature Cos d’Estournel are produced each year. — a year ago
Josh Morgenthau
This is still very pretty, lots of nice texture, nuance, impeccable balance. Confectionary, fennel seed and floral nose, mineral, tangy, licorice root palate. Still some freshness but it may be time to drink up. What a steal this was. — a day ago