Vanessa

9.3

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!! — 12 days ago

with Deked1

Michael Greene

9.5

Brilliant Syrah. Still young but open. Velvety tannin. Inky dark fruit. Dried herbs. Amazing with rotisserie leg of lamb. — 16 days ago

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9.2

The 2021 Saint-Joseph used roughly 50% whole-clusters during fermentation. In comparison, 2022 saw 85% inclusion, while in 2017, no destemming was applied. Coming in at 12.5% alcohol, the deep purple-hued 2021 unfurls with pretty red fruits paired with leafy undertones and cedar. Orange blossom and rose petal add welcome floral lift. Light to medium in body, this is a delicate Gonon, neatly framed by velvety tannins and bright acidity. It should drink well right out of the gate. Tasted twice with consistent notes. (Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous, March 2024)
— 19 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.5

Another great btl that is structured showing finesse with beautiful aromatics of dark fruits, olive, iron, spice, crushed rock, graphite & violet. Still youthful that will continue to develop for many years. — 3 days ago

LM Segal

9.7

Spectacular. Ethereal nose of strawberry and faint notes of cured meats. 1,000 layers after it came to temp, needed a short decant. This has turned towards Burg with a lightness and power. Silky smooth. Thanks, Aaron. 🙏🏼 — 18 days ago

Bryan Kesting

9.3

Wine dinner at Matt’s. In a great spot and drinking beautifully. — 17 days ago

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9.6

The full-bodied 2020 Cornas is a wild thing. Concentrated and expressive, it combines all the elements that Clape-enthusiasts rave about: a juicy core of fruit, ferrous gradations, crushed flowers, meaty undertones, rustic funkiness and an herbal edge. Remarkably round tannins lend solid structure to the delicious 2020, an instant classic that shows excellent persistence on the savory finish. (Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous, March 2024)
— 19 days ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.8

Remarkable. Juicy and so dense but my goodness this is so elegant. It’s amazing how light on its feet the wine is for such a big boy. Genius. — 9 days ago

Jae Cho

9.1

A very serious return to a cool vintage taste profile I don’t recall since the ‘14. Lavender, herbs, mineral in addition to the sweetly ripe blackberries and stems. Appreciating the 13% abv. — 13 days ago

Raun Kupiec

9.3

Very integrated, good structure, at first, 20 min after opening got more blackberry and dark fruits. As it opened up there was more peppery, smoky Syrah. Didn’t get the licorice that I commented on previously. Cassis on the finish. Long finish. But it’s 2+ years since the last bottle of this vintage. Very good, complete, enjoyably wine. — 15 days ago

with Barbara