Hermitage, Northern Rhône
M. Chapoutier
"Le Pavillon" Ermitage Syrah 2007
Domaine Vincent Paris
Granit 30 Cornas Syrah 2022
The good: drinking great now, really open knit & accessible, almost pop and pour, and great fruit with just enough of a hint of bacon fat on the finish. Depth too. What I question is its anonymity as a Northern Syrah, & I’m not sure that’s even a criticism. Certainly not old school Syrah, and the delicious factor overrides everything debatable. — 5 days ago
M. Chapoutier
Monier de La Sizeranne Hermitage Syrah 2016
2016 vintage. Last tasted 06.10.22 (9.4). Medium-heavy body now. Decanted and tasted after 30 mins. A slight amount of sed. Earth, shrooms, motor oil, fudge, dark plum and gaminess all there for the taking. Just starting to stretch its legs out. 05.22.25. — 23 days ago
Thierry Allemand
Chaillot Cornas Syrah 2008
Elegant, floral with a silky, velvety texture showing red, black fruits, currant, olive, spice & violet — 8 days ago
Domaine Jamet
Côte-Rôtie Syrah 2013
2013 vintage. Sweet fill and cork. Trashy label. Slightly less sed than expected. Big nose on the decant. Tasted after 1 hour open and 5 hours open. Medium heavy body. Roasted nuts, earth, plummy fruit and grilled beef nose and flavors. Finishing palate added a finely ground black pepper note. Consistent throughout and absolutely delicious. 05.23.25. — 23 days ago
Domaine Auguste Clape
Cornas Syrah 2005
My contribution to a large Rhône dinner. Standouts were ‘07 Chapoutier Le Meal Blanc, ‘89 and ‘90 Jaboulet La Chappelle, ‘11 Guigal La Mouline.
An over-generalization, but what I love about Cornas is the rusticity and sometimes feral nature of the wines (which I don’t find in Hermitage or CR) and this ‘05 is in that vein. I followed this from pop (after all, we are at the almost 20yr mark) and over the course of three hours.
Interplay of red and black berry fruits, black pepper, slightly herbal (maybe closer to potpurri floral) aromatically. Bright and nimble on the palate, nothing about this is ripe or soft. Energetic acidity all the way through surrounded by notes of iron (sanguine-like) and rocky minerality. Crunchy red and black fruits (whole-cluster?), hint of gaminess but not in the meaty-style I semi-expected. Clean and pure style of Syrah. Big structure at the finish…hard to imagine drinking this 10+yrs ago. Acidity and tannin will carry this a long time, but I think this is peak window for getting depth of fruit and complexity. — a month ago
Vanessa
Damn. This is delicious and in an amazing spot 😍
It has effusive aromas & flavors black cherry preserves, dried fig, prune, rose, graphite, coffee grounds, blackberry bramble, licorice, leather, tobacco, peat, clove, star anise, cardamom, cured meat, black peppercorn, wet earth, mushroom, potting soil, balsamic glaze..
On the palate it’s dry with high - barely so - alcohol (14% ABV). The acidity is lovely and energetic. Tannins are silky and well-integrated.
100% Syrah from Hermitage hill, biodynamic and lower intervention in the winery. Textured and deep.
Delicious !!!!
— 15 days ago