Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Equally enjoyable on both nights however, the nose was most powerful on Day 1. “Ampodium” (formerly Classique) is 100% Syrah sourced from a dozen or so vineyards and made in a largely traditional style; plenty of whole cluster and a very judicious use of new French oak. The 2010 “Ampodium”pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and signs of light sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe, some desiccated and some tart, black and blue fruits: blackberries, blueberry pie, fields of lavender, black pepper, bacon fat, iodine, and granite earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (mostly integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and laden with rocky minerals. Totally in balance and at peak. Lovely. Drink now through 2035. — 6 months ago
2022/9. American oak gradually dissipates a bit to reveal layers of delicious red fruit - cherries, raspberries, strawberries - with spice and herbs to complement. A great, joyful traditional Rioja. — 3 years ago
2022/4/24-25. Side-by-side with the 2017 Cannubi. This is slightly higher-toned, with more rose, lifted red berry and lighter spice. Still very young and severe, even more so than most other traditional young Barolos I encounter these days. — 4 years ago
Ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.
Nose of red and black fruits with light wood, tobacco and chocolate notes.
Dry on the palate with sweet raspberries, cherries, light oak, licorice, chocolates, spices and earth.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.
This young Grenache blend is starting to drink very nicely now, with nice complexity and a soft mouthfeel.
Will continue to age nicely in the next 15 years.
Elegant and rich. Interesting and engaging. A very traditional Châteauneuf-du-Pape in style.
Well balanced and good by itself as a sipping wine. Will also pair nicely with food.
A blend of all 13 allowed grapes in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but mostly Grenache. Hand picked and whole cluster. Aged for 2 years in large French oak barrels.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
91 points.
$110. — 4 months ago
Simply gorgeous.
A dark purple robe with mild ruby touches. The nose is deep and approachable. Cigar smoke and oak for days. There’s a plethora of dark fruits here with red cherries, blueberries, and the faintest hint of vanilla. Such a treat for the senses.
Steady but exciting. Reliable but thrilling. Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, and Mazuelo. Quite traditional but it’s just so damn good year in and year out. Nice complexity and sturdy in its youth but perfect for aging. Very reminiscent of a nice Bordeaux. So smooth and refined but welcoming. The red fruit on the palate is pure and accompanied by tobacco, earth, and nutmeg. All in all, I could drink this all day everyday. — 2 years ago
Pretty deep garnet ruby , garnet rim . This is pretty open and aromatic, with smoky creme de cassis , grafite , blackberry and cedar , light herbal touches , really quite classic and noble . On the palate this has good balance and density , good freshness also . Ripe , very fine but perceptible tannins . Dark fruits , grafite , tobacco , long and detailed slightly mineral notes on the good length finish . Really elegant , though quite serious and traditional, not easy to pull off. This is drinking perfectly now (Coravin might have helped here , I would certainly decant if I had a full bottle) , though still quite fruit driven with some tertiary complexity coming through . Really harmonious and complex . From now and over the next 15 years, maybe more . At Doppo Restaurant, Soho . — 3 months ago


Great for new drink — 3 years ago
An excellent expression of traditional Rioja! Tempranillo (80%) and Garnacha (20%) blend. Aromas of rose petals, leather and dark fruit. Pallet is full of plum, raspberry, cherry cola, balsamic vinegar and spices. Hint of orange peel. Soft/silky/dusty tannins, elegant balance and a long memorable finish. Beautiful! Even better the second day. Thank you for sharing Keith S. Revisited in May 2023. Still elegant and beautiful! — 3 years ago
Jan A
Paired with stamppot boerenkool and stamppot zuurkool. Traditional Dutch food. Comforting! — 22 days ago