David Shaw

9.1

First pour of this vintage. Brilliant red with light pigment extraction, excellent clarity. Strawberry nose with hint of raspberry. Candied strawberry flavor, slightly tart finish with seed tannin bitterness. Light body. — a year ago

Adriana Fabbro

9.4

2010 is in such a lovely place right now. Such freshness and so fragrant (opened an hour before Xmas dinner): raspberries, red and black currant, bing cherry, geranium, anise seed, dill, potting soil, sandalwood, cocoa butter, cayenne pepper, cumin, iron. Paired with herb-crusted, slow roast pork butt, heirloom beans, turnips and chard (aka Christmas carnitas). — 3 years ago

David Shaw

9.0

First bottle I’ve opened of this vintage. Ruby red, moderate pigment extraction, very good clarity. Strawberry and barrel notes in nose. Strawberry, cherry in mouth with good fruit length, good acid, delightfully light on the alcohol. Slight seed and skin tannins on finish, aftertaste. Light bodied. Worth reading up about online — 3 years ago

MaJ CappS

8.9

Smells of lovely cacao..

Cacao, hints of tabac, blueberry seed,! Bits of barnyard. A good Wine of hefty weight, yet certainly reminds me of a SoCal Syrah, with huge extraction.
A winters warmer, nonetheless.
— 4 years ago

Nicole Tyler

8.9

Smooth and a little juicy. Nice sipping with a light summer dinner. — 2 years ago

David Shaw

8.9

Last bottle of vintage, see my tasting notes from 2019. Today, purple-red with light to moderate pigment extraction. Raspberry and black currant flavors with pomegranate-like tannin, acidity and flavor present. This wine is seed tannin-forward with length of flavor and moderate skin tannin finish. Aging well… — 2 years ago

David Shaw

9.3

Purple to garnet red, moderate pigment extraction, very good clarity. Leather, wood and blackberry notes in nose. Blackberry, cherry flavors with length, raspberry on finish. Good balance, acid a tad above the ethanol but nicely so, some unresolved fine-grained seed tannins on initial pour with moderate skin astringency. I’m liking this one after 30 minutes, and wishing I’d bought more. 425 cases made. A solid version for WA state cab fans — 3 years ago

Vanessa

9.1

This is a medium ruby wine with medium(+) intensity of ripe plum, prune, red currant, black cherry, violet, anise seed, nutmeg, cardamom, clove, leather, and forest floor notes.

Tannins are ripe, fine-grained, and well-integrated. Alcohol is high!!! 16% ABV.

This is a ripe, full-bodied, and high octane wine that has great potential for further aging. I’m excited to revisit down the road.

Clos Saint Jean Vieilles Vignes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge (2019) — 2 years ago

with Deked1

David Shaw

9.2

270 cases made. Ruby red, very good clarity, light to moderate pigment extraction. Strawberry and cherry skin aromas, flavors. Rounded soft mouthfeel with slight skin astringency and red berry flavors on finish with light seed tannin bitterness. Slight spritz with orange and black pepper aftertaste. There’s an earthiness and bright fruitiness that I have not gotten from other Washington state Grenaches. Fresh cherry flavor develops after 90 minutes. Complex yet on point varietally, well crafted as is typical from this producer. — 3 years ago

David Shaw

9.2

Royal Slope Grenache, 152 cases made. Excellent clarity, garnet red, light to moderate pigment extraction. Tangerine and wood aromas, cherry flavor with cherry cough drop, wood and tangerine finish. Good acidity and balance, flavorful, though there’s a solid seed tannin backbone on the finish. Consider aging this one or decanting a few hours. A serious take on this varietal, worth seeking out. — 3 years ago