Oh boy…is this real life? A DRC from back in the days when Lalou was involved in the process. Enjoyed out of the Baccarat DRC glass which is hilarious to behold but I’ll be damned if wasn’t a pretty effective glass. The 1988 Richebourg pours a deep ruby color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with heady notes of ripe and slightly desiccated red and black fruits: strawberry, spiced meat, red flowers, forest floor, and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long with lovely, savory minerals. There is so much density. Honestly, this still needs a ton of air. It’s remarkable how youthful it’s showing. Drink now with loads of patience and through 2038. Bottle No. 4044. — 7 days ago
The 2010 Montée de Tonnerre pours a straw color with medium viscosity. On the nose, this is an absolute powerhouse; sizzling with energy, tropical and orchard fruit: passionfruit, tangerine, green apple, crushed seashell, lemon curd and chalky minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and full of minerals. A supercharger of a Chablis. Tonight, this was truly sensational and an experience I won’t soon forget. Drink now through 2040. — 8 days ago
Classic CdP and an iconic producer. Blackberry, dark fruits, herbs, spice, olive, earth. Full bodied, but low-to-medium tannins and great concentration. Fantastic with Mediterranean food. — 3 days ago
Popped and poured. Took a while to put on some weight. Beautifully balanced with superb nose and excellent silkiness. Somewhat less in complexity. — 9 days ago
Granular, ripe and heavy. Syrupy berry and smokey notes. Quite smooth. Enjoyable? Yes. Whopping alcohol level? Yes. Worth fifty bucks? No. — 16 days ago
Deeper ruby , redder thinner ruby rim . Quite round and rich , inviting , earthy dark cherry , spicy blackberry notes , touch of tobacco and dark chocolate. On the palate this is also riper and richer , though with a mix of red and dark fruits , cassis , raspberry, cherry , red plum . Round sweet tannins , balanced acidity , a bit more alcohol perhaps and slightly sweeter medium length finish. Still quite young and fruit driven , probably will enjoy another 10 years of prime drinking . Quite generous and plump in personality , but still balanced with enough freshness and polished tannin — 24 days ago
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of 90min. The 2020 pours a deep ruby/purple color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of powerful ripe dark and blue fruits: Marionberries, figs, purple flowers, bacon fat, black olives, rocky minerals and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Young, but this is another lovely vintage of Chave Saint-Joseph. Give it time. Best after 2030 and drink through 2040+. — a month ago
Carmen
Concentrated fruit, soft, and a bit of spice -
Some of the best value CdR out there, sourcing fruit from around Southern Rhône!! Jean Louis Chave expertise at an entry-level price.
This was a young wine but 2022 was a good year: Extreme drought vintage resulted in lower yields and concentrated, freshly acidic wines. — 11 days ago