Rhône, France

Domaine Auguste Clape

Cornas Syrah 2005

Shay A
9.4

My contribution to a large Rhône dinner. Standouts were ‘07 Chapoutier Le Meal Blanc, ‘89 and ‘90 Jaboulet La Chappelle, ‘11 Guigal La Mouline.

An over-generalization, but what I love about Cornas is the rusticity and sometimes feral nature of the wines (which I don’t find in Hermitage or CR) and this ‘05 is in that vein. I followed this from pop (after all, we are at the almost 20yr mark) and over the course of three hours.

Interplay of red and black berry fruits, black pepper, slightly herbal (maybe closer to potpurri floral) aromatically. Bright and nimble on the palate, nothing about this is ripe or soft. Energetic acidity all the way through surrounded by notes of iron (sanguine-like) and rocky minerality. Crunchy red and black fruits (whole-cluster?), hint of gaminess but not in the meaty-style I semi-expected. Clean and pure style of Syrah. Big structure at the finish…hard to imagine drinking this 10+yrs ago. Acidity and tannin will carry this a long time, but I think this is peak window for getting depth of fruit and complexity.
— 21 days ago

Jay, James and 22 others liked this
Jay Kline

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Awesome note

Château Rayas

Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Grenache Blend 2008

Cena rayas acker nyc manhatta 3ero wont — 17 days ago

Bob, Jay and 9 others liked this

Dom Pérignon

Brut Champagne Blend 2013

Always a pleasure and has an enjoyable luxury about it...this bottle was a bit muted though — 12 days ago

Daniel, Ted and 16 others liked this

Domaine Jamet

Côte-Rôtie Syrah 2013

2013 vintage. Sweet fill and cork. Trashy label. Slightly less sed than expected. Big nose on the decant. Tasted after 1 hour open and 5 hours open. Medium heavy body. Roasted nuts, earth, plummy fruit and grilled beef nose and flavors. Finishing palate added a finely ground black pepper note. Consistent throughout and absolutely delicious. 05.23.25. — 13 days ago

David, Bob and 11 others liked this

Domaine du Pegau

Cuvée Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2016

Still signing into day 3. Delicious. Plum. — 14 days ago

Joe, Vanessa and 4 others liked this

Château Latour

Premier Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1983

Château Latour is an iconic estate in the Pauillac commune on the left bank of Bordeaux, achieving coveted ‘First Growth’ status in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification.

The estate has roots dating back to the 14th century and derives its name ‘La Tour’ from a fortress tower built during the Hundred Years’ War, which no longer exists but is prominently featured on the label in recognition of its history.

We weren’t sure what to expect, as many have predicted these 1983s are likely past their prime, but this wine was a masterpiece. 🤩

It was medium garnet in color with expressive notes of cedar box, cigar, clove, peat, leather, forest floor, fig, prune, dried black cherry, plum, cassis, blackberry compote, cardamom, cinnamon, star anise, dried violet, potpourri, kalamata olive, pencil shavings, graphite, & bacon fat.

It had the most velvety, fine-grained tannins that washed across the palate with ease, with a gentle but notable acidity that maintained lift and balance. It was concentrated, complex, and had a long, elegant finish.
— 17 days ago

Deked1
with Deked1
Deked1, Ted and 18 others liked this
Paul K

Paul K

Happy Birthday @Vanessa way to celebrate in style!
Vanessa

Vanessa

@Paul K Thank you for the bday wishes! It was an auspicious and delicious way to start my next trip around the sun ☀️ Cheers! And we hope to reconnect with you guys soon! 🍾🥂
Paul K

Paul K

We will absolutely figure out something this summer!!!

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

Hermitage Syrah 2009

Only my second time with this wine, so so good. Decanted in glass for a 2-3 hours, opened up perfect. Had with masala burgers which worked great. — 10 days ago

Clos des Papes

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2005

Very lush and punchy. Dark plum and cherry with a hefty dose of alcohol. Rounded and bright. Black cherry and violets. Good — 18 days ago

Jay, Shay and 6 others liked this

Louis Roederer

Cristal Brut Champagne Chardonnay Pinot Noir Blend 2009

From mag. Very fresh and driving. Chalk and sizzling lemon acidity. Great fruit and loads of lift and drive. Young — 2 days ago

BOT Matt LichtenbergPaul Woolls
with BOT, Matt and 1 other
Dave, Tom and 10 others liked this

Château Palmer

Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2000

+2 hour decant(decent chunky/fine sediment). An amazing dark garnet color. On the nose: You must breathe in this captivating nose of dark red fruit, herbaceous, smoke, sweet florals, worn leather, licorice. Taste: layered, balanced, silky wine with brambly raspberry/cherry, peppery tobacco, gravel, smoked leather, tar, and a long drying finish. YUM! No need to hurry plenty of time to go. — 11 days ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Brenda, Paul and 21 others liked this