Willie Carter

8.9

Deep, deep purple with medium garnet undertones and a wide brim. Pretty classic Rhône nose full of violets and red and blue fruits slowly giving way to cracked black pepper and earth. So much lighter than I was expecting because I’ve been drinking so many domestic Syrahs lately. There’s absolutely nothing cumbersome going on here. Silky and smooth on the tongue with a nice streak of spice running throughout. Much more on the easy drinking side of Crozes-Hermitage with some underlying power. Dark cherries, blackberries, baking soda, and milk chocolate on the palate with a ton of smoke coming in later. French Syrah really is where it’s at. — 4 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

Another great vintage from the master that was complex, polished, silky & floral. — 4 days ago

Mike Saviage

9.2

Dark scarlet tawny, almost opaque. Strongly scented. Notes of kirsch, dark soaked cherries, blue fruit, herbs, and some pine wood. Powerful in the mouth. Almost over the top. A bit hot and Port-like, and a bit too stewy to enjoy unless accompanied with something like cheese to tone it down. Representative of the vintage, but not my preferred style. — 18 days ago

Mike Saviage

9.6

Tasted blind. Bright scarlet tawny. Barely translucent. Notes of cherry, hickory, sweet fruit, smoked meat, some spice and a little menthol. Silky and rich in the mouth. Coats the mouth with luscious fruit. Very long finish. Love the 95 Chave as it always delivers. — 3 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Mid to dark ruby in colour with a tawny edge. Lovely perfume with roasted meats, dried flowers, and earthy notes. With time in decanter more barnyard cowyard notes developed, but in no way was this Brett. On the palate ultra savoury but also quite sweet initially. Soft resolved Tannins and ready to drink. Not unlike a top Burgundy with more fire power. After about 6 hours it had developed tarry aromas with coal dust and liquorice. Loved this wine. Usually have our top wine of the week at Sunday lunch. This matched well with Roast Pork. — 17 days ago

Josh Morgenthau

9.4

Grape, blood, stewed fruit, cherry cola. Prune and lively berry of all colors. Some sweaty funk.
Blazing acid and gentle tannins. Just beautiful. What I want with all food. — 8 days ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.0

Vintage 2017 / made from Syrah / cherries! powerful when tasted without food, velvety structure with food / at Pollevie — 7 days ago

Douglas Braun

9.0

Ok should have waited on this - and I kind of knew it 2016 Vintage - purple rim boysenberry ,peppercorn ,big tannins having it with pan fried steak works ok ( I think I have another thankfully) Aeration helps here — 5 days ago

Evan Bienstock

9.3

Opened a little funky but that blew off and it showed real elegance and grace. Soft and velvety mouthfeel. Just terrific. — 6 days ago

Matt Perlman

9.2

Still developing, all business at this point, nothing flashy but has it together. All of the classical northern Rhône things are there (violets, pepper, smoked meat, herbs et al). A nice way to experience the maestro without shelling out big(ger) bucks for the Hermitage — 13 days ago