Textbook Northern Rhone Syrah in a very affordable, drink now package. Bing cherry, currants, light and pleasantly integrated peppercorn and smoke notes, a touch of beef bouillon and soil. Medium bodied, pure textures of finely grained tannin and perfectly integrated acidity. Med+ on the finish. If you have been drinking new world syrah and are hesitant to buy in on a Cote-Rotie, Hermitage or even a Saint-Joseph, this is a nice entry point. — 4 years ago
This is so good and fun to drink. V fruity and a nice dry finish — 5 years ago
Ripe red fruit, dried herbs and some characteristic blood and sweat. A bit hot. — 6 years ago
Glou glou. Goes down fast and easy. — 7 years ago
It’s been almost 2 years since my last bottle of this, and the cellaring has been beneficial. Powerful nose shows all sorts of animal and mineral notes. Some pungent tiny berries underneath. A little sponti funk note too. It explodes on the palate. Dense, mouthcoating flavors, but they’re almost electrocuted by the zingy acids on steroids. Loads of tiny, zingy, dark mountain berries. There’s a fair amount of tannin, but they’re very soft and pillowy. Well done. Will last and improve several more years. — 3 years ago
Savory and delicious. Mushroomy dirt nose to start that blew off pretty quickly. Dark fruits, tobacco, green pepper notes. Smooth sandpaper and a longer than expected finish. Excellent wine. — 6 years ago
2020 vintage. 75% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. Owned by the Despagne family since 1812, and the current 7th generation (François Despagne) seems to be serious about quality. This 2020 displays impressive aromatics, concentration, depth, and precision, with fresh acidity balancing the 15% abv. — 2 years ago
Bright this back from Paris 2018 and opened for Christmas 2022. Wasn’t sure how this was going to age but opened as funky and delicious as I had hoped. Notes of blue cheese and fermented blueberries. Bright notes of kombucha in the taste. Natty wines can age! — 4 years ago
Easy drinking, like a fruit-salad kombucha. Floral notes of hibiscus (and maybe violet?) picking up tart berry in the mouth. Easy finish. — 6 years ago
A farmer wearing a suit. Delicious. — 6 years ago
High tannin, fruit forward, red fruit. Lasting flavors on the palate. — 7 years ago
Jay Kline

Opened just prior to dinner and decanted. The 2010 “Reflet” 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 heady notes of dark brambles, spiced cured meat, purple flowers, black pepper, Kalamata olive, dried green herbs, granitic earth, and a kiss of warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. This is squarely in the zone and fantastic stuff. Drink now through 2035+. — 6 months ago