Jay Kline

9.1

Presented to me double-blind. The wine pours a deep purple color with an opaque core and a magenta rim with little to no variation; medium viscosity with significant staining of the tears and no signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of slightly funky mixed brambles, purple flowers, black olive, cures meat, inorganic earth and a gentle mix of cool and warm spices. It’s like an adolescent Frenchman at a delicatessen eating a muffuletta sandwich. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. The alcohol is medium.

Initial conclusions: this is a Syrah, Tempranillo, GSM-blend (with a heavy dose of Syrah), Merlot (or based blend), or maybe even a Malbec from France, Spain, the United States, Australia, Chile or Argentina. But I’m not getting pyrazines here, I’m getting rotundone. So I’m eliminating Bordeaux varieties. And, I’m getting so much rotundone that I’m eliminating Tempranillo too. Could this be a GSM? I don’t think so. The ABV seems more restrained and it’s hitting all the Syrah hallmarks from its cultural hearth so, I’m eliminating the New World. I’m taking this to France. It is practically screaming Northern Rhône and from a place that’s known for aromatics without the lavish use of oak (so Hermitage is out). It doesn’t have the feral qualities I generally associate with Cornas, nor the brilliant elegance I get from Côte Rôtie. So it comes down to Saint-Joseph or Croze-Hermitage and I like the former here. Final Conclusion: this is Syrah from France, from the Rhône, Saint-Joseph, from a warm, relatively recent vintage like 2020. How about that! A tasty fastball right down the middle of the plate! Drink now through 2037. — a day ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2022 vintage. Last tasted 3.27.25 (9.3). Decanted and tasted after 10 minutes. Medium/medium heavy body. Espresso and Ground Control to Major Tom earth notes in the nose. Flavors swayed by bigg blackberry (and corresponding acidity) on the back end. Feel like the overt BB acidity will dissipate/intigrate in the next two-three years but, for now, offers a refreshing Côte-Rôtie style with fruit, earth, body and versatile tannins. 12.7.25. — a year ago

Joe Weinberger

9.0

Would have liked to see how it evolved over the night but just got one glass at a party. It was good, but I think with more time/air this would be even better. — 2 years ago

Matt

9.6

Bessards-Greffieux. Tastes 3 years old 😂😂 enveloping richness tempered by sturdy tannin and that classic Hermitage granitic bite. Layered, some part coarse and angular marrying with some parts supple and round. All working very well IMO. The Faury finesse and subtlety is there, this is a thinking wine, perfect for not sharing on Father’s day. — 3 years ago

Roberto Carli

9.1

Starts out super aromatic, over the top intensity of stone fruit, white flowers, marble, just a touch of vanilla in the background. On the palate viscosity strikes first, with fruit stepping back, some phenolics bitterness and a mouth-coating finish — 5 years ago

Big Wave Dave

9.2

Impressive p/q. Took@some time to express itself, but when it did it was all savoury, pepper, and herb de provence notes. Nice pure dark fruit mixed with pepper, forest floor, and a sour kick at the end. Prominent fine tannin brings the whole thing together. — 6 years ago

Anthony Giarrusso

9.0

Delicious, smooth and silky. — a month ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

Blend of Gros Manseng (80%) and Petit Manseng (20%). Medium golden color. Aromas of citrus, stone fruit, wet stones and white flowers. Flavors of lemon/lime, white peach, grapefruit and apricot fruit with a touch of honey. Firm mineral backbone comes to the forefront on the long and lingering (slightly tingly) finish. Vibrant acidity and a chalky texture. Quite complex and vibrant! Bone dry, medium-minus bodied and very refreshing. Solid value. — 5 months ago

Bill Morgan

9.0

Very soft on the palette with floral and some spice — a year ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2022 vintage. Seduced the last few years by this producer's "Vieilles Vignes" St. Joseph efforts. This one rolls in the mid $20's resto cost and has washboard abs. Tough to say no for the QPR and I didn't. No fat on this effort (unlike the VV) but an excellent food wine. 03.27.25. — 2 years ago

Timothy Eustis

Wine Director, Red Lion Inn

9.2

There are two kinds of st Joseph. This is one of the good ones. Long finish. Complex. Quite serious. — 2 years ago

Scott Petrus

9.2

Delicious bold and meaty — 5 years ago

Momo Sa

9.2

Shower wine :-) — 5 years ago

Jack Petras

9.1

Having this 2010 in 2026 after given to me by a friend who has it in his cellar. Very full and fresh, with air it is showing its beauty and complexity. Quite masculine with dark petrified wood stories. Deep macerated berries with a cooling soft tannic finish. Quite nice. — a month ago

Jake Hajer

9.2

Clean fruit. Mixed peppercorn. Tasty old world Syrah. — 6 months ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.1

2018 vintage. Owned by the same family since 1870, until the fifth generation, Lionel Poitou sold this 10 hectares estate to 3 Israeli winemakers. La Tour du Haut Moulin has a long reputation for value for money, and this 2018 is no exception. Solid dark red colour with only a little evolution. In the mouth it features a serious black fruit concentration, balanced by fresh acidity and a serious tannic backbone, while avoiding the alcohol heath that sometimes characterises this hot vintage. It has an old school slightly rustic feel about it, but it's incredible value for money. Drinking very well now, but no need to hurry, I am convinced it will last at least for another decade. I found this in a local supermarket for 8,09 euro, I kid you not! Life is fine for wine lovers in the Bordeaux region. Abv. 13,5%. I am curious to see what the new owners will achieve with this estate, there should be huge potential . — 8 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

Dark ruby color with purple highlights and a slight garnet rim. Savory aromas of wet earth, ripe black fruit and coffee. Ripe blackberry, black currant and blueberry lead the palate with additional hints of espresso, charcoal and Asian spices. Long and very earthy finish. Extremely concentrated, vibrant and well balanced. Settling in to its “sweet spot.” — 2 years ago

Matthew Cohen

9.3

A difficult vintage. Made by a master. Rest In Peace Lionel.

Nose is swirling cherry and cherry licorice.

Palate is red and bLack cherries. Cherry cough syrup some bitterness

This peaked 7 years ago but still a lovely drink. — 4 years ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Popped and poured; no formal notes. This is a hugely floral wine; yellow flowers and honey suckle. Low-ish acid. Lovely with brandade. — 5 years ago

Pontus Öberg

9.3

Riktigt gott. Biff å bearnaisesås. Levererar i paritet med prislapp. — 5 years ago