Shay A

9.4

94-95

My first Gonon StJo…unfortunately, I loved it. Wish these were easier to find at good prices!

At 8yrs, this was so perfumed out of the glass. At 90% whole cluster, it shows typical green/stemmy aromatics but it’s not the dominant note, trending toward green peppercorns, violets/potpurri, olive, and black cherries. Mineral notes, pepper, mix of red and black fruits, mocha, and so much verve on the palate, absolutely buzzing both days. This wine is floral and herbal but with so much power and balanced fruit…kind of a wild-ness to it that I loved. What a beautiful expression of Syrah. Killer.

Day two showed the whole cluster aromatics fade a bit, but it also showed the palate bulk up. So good. — 7 hours ago

Jeremiah Diaz

9.5

Pale ruby in color; candied cherries, hibiscus, and potting soil on the nose; medium acidity; low tannins; tastes raspberries, cranberries, and wet slate with a long finish. Nellie and I love it. — a day ago

with Nellie

Byron Hewett

9.8

WOTN. Complete. Beautiful balance, complexity and harmony. — a month ago

Vanessa

9.3

Happy Bastille Day!  Joyeux 14 juillet! 🇫🇷

A great day to sip something fabulous and French, like this 2020 Maison Joseph Drouhin Clos des Mouches. 🍷

Maison Joseph Drouhin is a dynamic, family-run estate, established by Joseph Drouhin in 1880 in the Beaune region of Burgundy.  It’s now run by Joseph’s four great-grandchildren – Philippe, Véronique, Laurent, and Frédéric – with operations spanning from Burgundy to the Dundee Hills of Willamette Valley, Oregon (Domaine Drouhin). 🫶🏻🫶🏻

This wine has a medium ruby hue and an array of aromas and flavors such as strawberry, raspberry, cherry (red and black), mulberry, rose, spice, potpourri, black licorice, forest floor, toast, vanilla bean, crème brûlée, nutmeg, star anise, cardamom, and clove.

It aged 14-18 months in French oak (25% new), lending those baking spice, vanilla, and confectionery notes.

On the palate, it is dry, with vibrant acidity, creating tension, and a medium (+) body, with warming alcohol (14% ABV), medium tannins that are polished and velveteen, and a lingering finish.

This is an outstanding wine capable of long-term aging with potential to gain complexity unveiling additional tertiary dimensions over time. 🕰️ — 12 days ago

with Deked1

Shelly Murray

9.8

This was really nice. Surprised as it’s a Shiraz. — a month ago

Juan Pablo Perez

9.2

Nariz: mora, arándano, aceituna, algo de especies, algo de violetas. Aromas primarios pero algo de evolution.

Boca: Tanino M, Acidez M, Alcohol M. Muy buen balance. — a month ago

Ian Hamel

9.1

2024 June. Maybe it’s due to the hotter weather, but recently this has felt darker and more primary to me - still lovely though — 12 days ago

David Lee

9.0

Mellowed and delicate from a long decant, but still powerful enough to pair with gamey lamb. — 16 days ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.7

Nicho rodo ludo barush pozas keno — 22 days ago

Ming L

9.5

The “Black Label” edition of the ‘18 vintage for 50th anniversary of the winery, with 3% Cab from the Backus vineyard - a first time for Insignia. Not sure that makes a difference.
Truly an exceptional wine even by Insignia standard. Complex notes of blackberry, red plum, cassis, cedar, tobacco, baking spices, menthol, and light forest floor that do not try to overwhelm your senses. Power and grace on the palate with impeccable balance.
Drinking beautifully now but patience will be rewarded. — a month ago