One of my favorite Napa cabs. This vintage continues to improve. Last had in ‘21. Not a ton of oak or alcohol. The fruit isn’t bombastic yet not austere either. Closer to austere, but not at all simple. It’s earthy, berry, cherry, and tobacco with round tannins. Love this! I wish more Napa cabs went down this route. — 20 days ago
2019 vintage. Pinot Noir from Burgundy, Grand Vins de Bourgogne. This is an appellation wine from a thin, sloped strip of land called the Cote de D’or then you travel to a hillside in the Joseph Drouhin vineyard for Gevrey-Chambertin. This is a delicious wine. It’s designated as an intro wine from the region — appellation. The pinot noir vineyards in Burgundy trace back to medieval times. Button mushroom and spice on the nose. A light, Balanced, silky, long finish, cherry, Pomegranate, a bit of potting soil moderate acidity that is balanced with low tannins. Get a case. If this is classified as an appellation wine from producer Joseph Drouhin, I can’t wait to try a Villages and Crus. — 7 hours ago
It’s always a resounding ‘YES’ for JL Chave!!
That includes this luscious and concentrated Syrah from Saint-Joseph AOC in the Northern Rhône of France.
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave is a benchmark and icon of the Rhône Valley – a family-run operation since 1481 – with an entire range of deliciousness through the Domaine Jean-Louis Chave and JL Chave Selection portfolios.
This wine is deep ruby, trending on purple. It has pronounced aromas and flavors of boysenberry, blueberry, black cherry, cassis, pomegranate, also violet, bacon, sanguine, saddle leather, pipe tobacco, clove, cigar, damp earth, and black peppercorn. Alcohol is high (14.5% ABV) with medium (+) fine-grained and well-integrated tannins, medium (+) acidity, a medium (+) body, and a long, elegant finish.
It has a rustic and savory character with robust dark fruit notes; it’s layered, complex, structured, and age-worthy, benefitting from decanting. Still, it’s tasting wonderfully now.
Cheers to JL Chave and treasures of the Rhône!! — a month ago
Nothing profound or particularly thoughtful here. Just an easy, simple, clean wine that asks very little of you in a great way. — a month ago
2024 spring. This has taken something of the place of de Villaine’s La Fortune due to price and availability - for now. Sigh… — 8 days ago
The 2012 Insignia is in great shape today. Bright acids lend tremendous energy to a mid-weight Insignia that is more about finesse rather than power. Sweet red-fleshed fruit, cedar, tobacco, mint and rose petal are all beautifully delineated. There's not much left to say. The 2012 offers tons of pure pleasure. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2024)
— 15 hours ago
In a nice place at shade under 10 years. Popped and poured and was surprisingly ready to go, though 30 mins in the glass helped for sure. Nice mouthfeel and density. Tannins are there but very well integrated. Good dark berry fruit and some pepper on the long finish. Delicious with steak and a pork chop at The Grill. — a month ago
Very smooth. Served by Kathryn at the Secession house. — a month ago
Lee Pitofsky
Love these wines. Rare to find with some age! 2011 is superb tonight, complexly aromatic wafting layers of dark fruit, olive tapenade, camphor, bacon fat and black truffle. The palate shows excellent density and concentration with balanced acids, melting tannins and a stunningly long finish. Beautiful wine. — 6 days ago