Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2019 vintage. As rustic as ever. Blood. Earth. Plum. Stems. Heavy body. A step or two above a solid workhorse but not flighty. Tremendous punch. Could be wrong but think this producer only does Saint Joseph and Crozes-Hermitage and both are great QPR. 10.30.24. — 2 months ago

Jason snyder

9.2

Lots of interesting fruit - pineapple, mango. Honey. Creamy mouth. Northern Rhône. Drink cold. Probably with cheese. — 10 months ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.3

super complex nose, vanilla and oaky, most woody and complex, spice and juiciness on the nose, sawdust, amazing depth and spread, parcel between jaboulet and chave. def the most woody, juicy and complex with sappy purity and freshness, big big tannins, woody though. but it will integrates, needs a decade or more. — a year ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Brought to Tasting Group, popped and poured, and then served double-blind to the group. In the glass, the wine pours a transparent ruby color, with no signs of sediment. Medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is redolent of dark fruits, black pepper, olives, olives, and olives with some purple flowers and gravelly minerals added to the mix. On the palate, confirming the fruit and non-fruit characteristics. The wine is bone dry with medium tannins and medium+ acid. Due to the non-fruit characteristics, it is very difficult to place this in the New World, although there are some new producers, making wine similar to this. That being said, it’s hard to get outside of the Northern Rhône, vacillating between Côte Rôtie, Cornas, and Saint Joseph (no one in the group felt the oak was lavish enough for Hermitage). There were good arguments for each…and then the reveal. What a joy to drink this. Too bad even the “Les Iles Feray” has become near unobtainium. If someone wants to experience what Northern Rhône Syrah is supposed to taste like, this would be a contender for Exhibit A. The 2019 “Les Iles Feray” will be enjoyable for many years but I think this should be enjoyed in its youth. Drink now or over the next 5-10 years. — 2 years ago

Seth Masterson

9.3

This has to be one of the most refined and finessed sangiovese I've tried. Think Hermitage or Saint Joseph levels of refinement and balance. — a month ago

Andrew McIntyre

9.1

One of my all time favourite producers. Meaty, earthy and blackberries. Easy drinking — 3 months ago

Adam Gäfvert

9.2

Guigal considers this Saint Joseph lieu-dit to be their fourth Lala wine. As the name suggests this plot was once owned by the hospital and is a steep slope opposite the Hermitage mountain. It sports dark ripe fruits that are elegantly tamed by Guigal’s famous oak programme. Bursting with aromas and flavour. Dark berries, spice and really luxurious roundness. — a year ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

E Guigal produces fine Rhône wines. Dark Ruby color with aromas of berry fruit and earthy spice. On the palate flavors of black cherry and blackberry with cedar, cacao and earth notes, vivid acidity nice structure. Fine tannins, long finish ending with fruit and spice character. Good now will cellar well, a bargain compared to its Hermitage neighbors. — 2 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured, enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 2017 pours a deep ruby/purple color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with drop-dead gorgeous notes of mixed bramble fruit, fresh blueberries, freshly cracked black pepper, purple flowers, spiced and grilled kofta, dried green herbs and hot asphalt after a rain. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. This is a beautiful wine and one of the best New World Syrah’s I’ve had. If Tynan’s “Judge Family” is to Hermitage, The Joy Fantastic’s is to Saint -Joseph. Stunning. Drink now through 2032 — 4 months ago

K. Syrah

9.3

2015: Rich and concentrated Syrah with a mouthful of minerals and leather and meaty flavors. Not quite as funky as Cote-Rotie but still complex, with a long and unique finish. Legit: I like this more than the Jaboulet Maison Bleu Hermitage at this stage. $60 at VR. — 2 years ago