Andrew Cullimore

8.9

Medium deep garnet , medium terracotta rim . A very healthy looking colour. Quite mature and venerable on the nose , sous bois , iodine, plum, old wood , earthy with herbal touches and fresh tobacco . Reasonable volume on the palate with light sous bois and nori notes , quite fresh acidity and slightly gritty tannins still. Tobacco , grafite slightly short finish. Quite a good showing for a wine of almost 80 years old, enough interest and volume on the palate . Probably better a few decades ago , but certainly more than a curiosity as the wine stayed with us well for over 2 hours . Drink now . This was an ex chateau bottle that had been reconditioned at some point , I would imagine by the looks of the cork , about 20-25 years ago. No mention of this on the bottle however . Into neck fill. — 14 hours ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

This needed a couple of hours decant to shed some of its tannin structure & open to show mostly black fruits, spice, earth, leather, pepper & tobacco — 3 days ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Presented to me double-blind. The wine pours a brilliant, deep ruby color with a transparent core and some rim variation; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and faint signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with a heady perfume of mostly ripe and some tart fruit: mixed brambles, black cherry, purple flowers (lavender?), animale, some pepper, a touch of olive, a touch of leather, some green herbs, fine warm spices and rocky earth. I believe this has seen oak and it’s beautifully balanced and smells expensive. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Alcohol is medium+. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the texture is grippy. This is delicious.

Initial conclusions: this could be Sangiovese, Pinot Noir, Gamay, a Grenache-based blend or possibly Syrah; from Italy, or France. Immediately after I was presented the glass, I liked this being Sangiovese, however, there was too much new French oak for me to feel comfortable. Besides, the florals were too purple to be Sangiovese anyway (never mind Grenache or Pinot Noir). Then there were the non-fruits: it could be justified by whole cluster Pinot or Gamay…or was this a really impressive Syrah? This wine seemed familiar to me. This could be Chave. I did think this had some age based on color and rim variation. Final conclusion: I’m calling this Syrah, from France, from Northern Rhône, Hermitage, with 20+ years of age, from a decent vintage like 2004. And for the hell if it, I called producer: Jean-Louis Chave. Boom. Bottle No. 3981 — 18 days ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour or so. No formal notes due to the setting. The 2009 seems to break from the reputation of the vintage with a freshness and verve that surprises. The typical quality of Cristal is there with its persistent mousse and attractive texture. Good acid too. Pretty tasty stuff and I’m not sure I would ever turn down a glass of this. Drink now through 2039. — 10 days ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Opened a few hours prior to service and enjoyed over the course of an hour. This bottle of the 1986 was re-corked at the chateau in 2011. The wine pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and some dried dark and red fruits: black currants, brambles, black plum, tobacco, pencil shavings, some dried flowers, green pepper, leather, some earth and a gentle mix of cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. This seemed evergreen and this bottle spending most of its life in the cellars of the chateau likely has a lot to do with that. Fabulous stuff. Drink now through 2046. — 18 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Drinking well that opened with air showing lots of dark cherry, berry fruit, spice, crushed rock & violet — 4 days ago

Louis Martin

9.2

Ruby red, cherry aroma, medium tannins, paired well with duck croquettes. — a day ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Saint-Joseph 2018 – Northern Rhône, France 🇫🇷
A bold, complex expression of 100% Syrah from a vintage that gifted power, structure, and finesse. The V.2018 shows off the Northern Rhône’s savory elegance with a well-knit depth that speaks of place and patience.

Aromas open with an inky burst of blackcurrant, plum, and blackberry, followed by savory black pepper, nutmeg, and hints of honeysuckle and dried herbs. Deep and inviting, with layers that continue to evolve in the glass.

On the palate, expect a symphony of smoked meat, tapenade, and roasted herbs de Provence. There’s a velvety interplay of dark chocolate, licorice, and a touch of oak. Earthy yet polished, with that unmistakable Rhône grip.

Mouthfeel overall: Full-bodied and structured, with round, supple tannins and great tension between ripe black fruit and savory complexity. Black tea, bay leaf, and meaty notes add intrigue and a lasting, soulful finish.

A wine with serious aging potential, ready to drink it now with a decant or cellar for 10+ years to let the tertiary charm fully unfurl. A standout for Rhône lovers.

Pair with roasted lamb, duck confit, or aged cheeses. Santé!
— 4 hours ago

David Koenen

9.5

Gorgeous nose! Grilled red pepper. Charcoal, thyme, warm earth. Pleasant, still quite rough tannins, iron and blood in the aroma, ink, iodine, sun-dried tomatoes, balsamic like acidity. Brilliant now, no rush. — 5 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Drinking well showing red & black fruit, graphite, spice, leather, mineral & tobacco — 2 days ago