Stephen Fitzpatrick

9.0

2020 vintage. Heavy floral aromas of plum and cherry on the nose, deep ruby red in color. Full bodied, a slight chew on the initial intake, but still smooth on the finish. Continued to open up, great pairing with steak, phenomenal quality for the price range, $30-$40. — a month ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Pale lemon color with aromas of citrus and tropical fruit and floral notes. On the palate flavors of grapefruit, green apple and pear fruit flavors with lemongrass and grassy tones, lively acidity. Medium+ finish ending with fruit, herbal, floral, lemongrass and salty mineral notes. Do not over chill so you can experience all of the nuances while you sip this fine wine. — 8 months ago

Delectable Wine

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9.4

The 2019 Chardonnay Seascape Vineyard is another incredibly distinctive wine in this range. Candied ginger, passionfruit, lemon confit, white flowers and tangerine oil give this mid-weight Chardonnay tons of character. Bright acids lend freshness and verve to a Chardonnay that is very much on the exotic side of things. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2023) — 3 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.5

The 2008 R. Lopez de Heredia ‘Vina Tondonia’ Reserva is a spectacular effort in a difficult growing season that saw ideal weather at harvest. Aged for six years in handmade 225L American oak vessels, this saw a further four years of bottle age prior to release. The aromatic range here is quite impressive, from toasty oak and cranberry to peat moss, pipe tobacco, leather and pomegranate seed with red floral undertones that all meld in the glass. The silky texture offers and air of elegance. Pine needles and a rich core of red fruits collide with minerals, orange zest and salty undertones on the palate. The balance here and long finish add to the enjoyment. Spectacular now at the thirteen year mark, the 2008 R. Lopez de Heredia ‘Vina Tondonia’ Reserva Rioja will provide drinking enjoyment for several more decades to come. Drink 2021-2038- 95 — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I have enjoyed this producers vineyard over many vintage and this might be the best.

The 22 vintage is stunning and as good as it is, 23 might be better based on a somewhat limited exposure at this point.

The entry is glorious…such balance and wire to wire it doesn’t change much.

Green apple, perfect lemon & lime pulp into subtle candy, grapefruit, white stone fruit, kiwi, tropical melons, pineapple, cream reduction, saline, perfect sea fossils, fine powdery taut chalkiness, crisp volcanics, white spice, grey volcanic minerals, limestone marl, mix of fresh & dry stubble herbs, honeysuckle, light caramel, warm lightly done toast, yellow florals, spring flowers with greens, grand waterfall acidity, beautiful structure-tension, incredible balance with an elegant finish that lasts two-minutes and long sets on volcanic minerals and spice.

Decanted 1 hour.

When I first started buying this bottling, it was $50-$60, now $150. Might be my last bought. My white spend has a more limited range than my red. Don’t think I’m alone.

A property Sofia & I have visited in 2015. — 6 months ago

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!! — 2 years ago

with Deked1

Jay Kline

9.3

One of the few producers that I purchase each and every vintage. I find that Laurence Feraud’s wines are consistently some of the more interesting and enjoyable wines made in all of Chateauneuf du Pape; particularly when value comes into play. This bottle is my first experience with her 2018 vintage and the first bottle of a small tranche that I swooped up upon release. Popped and poured; consumed over 5 hours. The color is deep ruby with a near opaque core; glossy and gorgeous to behold. Medium+ viscosity. On the nose, this is classic Pegaü with loads of dark cherry and bramble fruit, a veritable hillside full of garrigue, lavender, black pepper, and something that reminds me of old books. On that palate, the fruit is equally generous, brambles and cherries, exotic spices, Herbs de Provence and a somewhat sanguine-like character to it. Substantial structure, though it seems to be a notch lower than the previous three vintages at this point in its young life. The tannins are very sneaky. Almost imperceptible for the first hour and yet, by hour four, they were very much making themselves known (in the Medium+ range). Acid is also Medium+ indicating these have an exciting life ahead. The finish lasts for well over a minute. All in all, another lovely Pegaü that will likely live in the shadow of some of the more heralded vintages in the last ten years however, that doesn’t mean this isn’t a stunner. Absolutely lovely stuff and I very much look forward to enjoying these well into the 2030’s. — 5 years ago

Jeremiah Diaz

9.5

Clear, pale gold in color; on the nose, it's clean with pronounced primary aromas of grapefruit, passionfruit, and lemongrass; on the palate, it's dry with high acidity, medium body, medium alcohol, and pronounced intensity primary flavors of kiwi, lemon, white peach, and saline with a long finish. This wine is balanced and intense. Overall, I rate this wine as outstanding. — 6 months ago

with Nellie

Tom Casagrande

9.1

The 2019 edition of this wine seems looser, lower in acid, and more on the savory side than usual. Scorched earth and very pure, spicy Zin blackberry fruit on the nose. Round and and soft in the mouth. Up-front Zin fruit quickly gives way to more savory elements. A slight bitterish note, not unpleasant, as the finish progresses. Unlike other Storybook Zins, I’d drink this one sooner rather than later. — 10 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.7

My new Favorite white, just love mountain fruit! Named for mountain range dividing Napa & Sonoma, old stone winery dug into side of dormant volcano crater in 1889, remained in production ever since. Pale lemon with aromas of Tropical and stone fruit with complex spice and floral notes. On the palate flavors of apple, pear and citrus with light oak and nutty tones, fresh and vibrant, well integrated. Long finish ending with fruit and flinty mineral characteristics. Long aging potential. Nice! — 4 years ago