Les Balcons Du Rhône

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

Saint-Joseph Syrah 2020

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of 90min. The 2020 pours a deep ruby/purple color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of powerful ripe dark and blue fruits: Marionberries, figs, purple flowers, bacon fat, black olives, rocky minerals and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Young, but this is another lovely vintage of Chave Saint-Joseph. Give it time. Best after 2030 and drink through 2040+. — 4 days ago

Tom, Juan and 9 others liked this

Domaine Charvin

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2016

Ripe red cherry. Grilled game. Black peppercorn. Tannins strong yet softened. Acidity medium minus. 15% alcohol fairly well hidden. Nice mouthfeel though a bit unbalanced. Medium finish. — 21 days ago

Joe, Paul and 7 others liked this

Château de Saint-Cosme

Côtes du Rhône Syrah 2012

Mag! Last of 6 that I bought back in 2014 for $15 each. What a steal and has aged so well. 100% Syrah. Dark purple, black plum. blackberry, olive tapenade, med tannins. — 24 days ago

Thierry Allemand

Chaillot Cornas Syrah 2015

After 2 hours in the decanter 2015 Chaillot is showing beautifully, fully open and giving wafting distinctive Allemand aromas with a seductive, mineral inflicted palette and fine grained tannins. It shows the warmth of the vintage but not at all hot, and its liquid rock minerality and floral lift adds a seamless balance to its fruit character. This is going to keep getting better. Love these wines. — 18 days ago

Jan, Bob and 7 others liked this

Domaine de la Janasse

Vieilles Vignes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2010

2010 vintage. Aging gracefully with medium body and plenty of spice + structure still taking it all in. 01.18.25. — 18 days ago

Ruud, Jan and 8 others liked this

E. Guigal

Château d'Ampuis Côte-Rôtie Syrah 2016

Holy balls! I need more nostrils to smell this. Brooding with game, bramble, and coffee grounds. Palate is slick but well concentrated with weight and tannin that linger spectacularly. Not cheap. — 23 days ago

Veronika, Scott@Mister and 6 others liked this

Domaine du Pegau

Cuvée Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2020

Fabulous CNP. Medium to full bodied, highly perfumed, garrigue, strawberry and raspberry, very smooth and elegant. Predominantly Grenache. — a month ago

Joe, Rob and 3 others liked this

Domaine Jamet

Côte-Rôtie Syrah 2012

Classic Jamet showing a concentrated, complex nose of red & black cherry, berry fruit, smoked meat, black olive, pepper, savory spice, mineral, menthol & violets. This is still on the youthful side that should keep developing for many more years. — 11 days ago

Rob, Shay and 11 others liked this

Château de Saint-Cosme

Gigondas Red Rhone Blend 2020

First bottle from a case of the 2020 Gigondas village from Ch. de Saint Cosme. It could even be my first time trying Gigondas from Louis Barruol, 14th-gen winemaker here, though I do recall a memorable St Joseph from my birth year that I enjoyed around ten years ago.

This wine is strawberry pink in colour, with good clarity. The nose is shy on the first night, better second; very pretty, with fairly light aromas of blackberry, candied cherry, liquorice, wild herbs, and a hint of grilled meat.

The palate is beautifully polished, striking effortless balance between structure and clarity, sweet fruit and acidity; the tannins are mild and it has wonderful grace through the finish, like a ballroom dancer gliding across the floor. Overall this is a really pure, fresh and elegant expression of Gigondas and has none of the rusticity for which this old appellation is oft known. In fact, it bears greater similarity to old-vine Grenache from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which is no bad thing. Also zero trace of heat despite the 15% abv. Very good stuff from Louis Barruol. This will age with Burgundian grace. Can’t wait to try it again – make sure to decant.
— 17 days ago

Bob and Neil liked this

E. Guigal

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend

Red berry aromas, cherry, well balanced — 10 days ago