Bob McDonald

8.9

Initial varnishy notes - a little cold. Barb said cherry and mint notes but she was not a fan of this wine. Not living up to being the younger brother of the Clape Cornas. The palate showed mineral and black currant with a tarry note. I have had better examples of Renaissance. — 17 days ago

Shay A

9.4

94-95

My first Gonon StJo…unfortunately, I loved it. Wish these were easier to find at good prices!

At 8yrs, this was so perfumed out of the glass. At 90% whole cluster, it shows typical green/stemmy aromatics but it’s not the dominant note, trending toward green peppercorns, violets/potpurri, olive, and black cherries. Mineral notes, pepper, mix of red and black fruits, mocha, and so much verve on the palate, absolutely buzzing both days. This wine is floral and herbal but with so much power and balanced fruit…kind of a wild-ness to it that I loved. What a beautiful expression of Syrah. Killer.

Day two showed the whole cluster aromatics fade a bit, but it also showed the palate bulk up. So good. — 11 hours ago

Damian

9.2

Dark ruby opaque color. Medium acidity, low integrated tannins with mushroom, plum and notes of wet soil on the nose. 2019 was a hot year in Rhone, maybe that’s why ripe plum comes as a first tasting note, accompanied with pepper and cocoa. — 6 days ago

Justin Bothur

9.1

Blueberry jam, minty herbs, savory flavors, smoke, pepper, fig, dark fruits. — 18 days ago

Timothy Eustis

Wine Director, Red Lion Inn

9.2

So good. Tight but opening. Dark, plummy fruit. Long finish. 2017. Wonderful. — 20 days ago

Jay Kline

9.5

This bottle was a library release from the Chave cellars. Decanted about an hour prior to service (but could have benefited from more time) and enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 2001 Chave rouge pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of charred blueberry pie, mushrooms, scorched earth, grilled meat, coffee, black pepper and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and super complex. With more and more air, this really came into its own. Totally Chave. Totally Hermitage. Totally awesome. Drink now with a little patience and through 2041. — 20 days ago

romo

9.2

As can be seen, got the last dregs. Way more herbal than the Gonon, but still a youngster at 16. — 21 days ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.4

Smoke show of a wine. Literally and figuratively. — 21 days ago

Austin Hohnke

9.3

Wild and smoky, presenting deep ruby in the glass. Palate is stylish and peppery with alcohol in check. Possibly whole cluster? Violets and coffee grounds come around with air. Guessed Faury St. Joseph 2015 blind, a’thank you! — a month ago

Dillan

9.0

Red fruit that’s nicely balanced with vanilla from its time in oak. Very pleasant and full bodied wine. — 6 hours ago

with Brooke