Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days and frankly, this was spectacular throughout. The 2020 pours a deep, ruby-purple with an opaque core and a magenta rim; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine smells like walking into a European delicatessen; developing with notes of mostly ripe and some tart, black, red and blue fruits. There’s mixed brambles, fig, blueberry, lavender, black pepper, olive brine, a melange of cool and warm baking spices and rocky earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. It’s been a couple of years since I last enjoyed this vintage of Graillot and it remains absolutely brilliant. Drink now through 2040. — 2 days ago

Conrad Green

9.6

Wow. Intense and pure in the nose. A hint of tang with an amazing fresh core given the age. Dark tang fruit with underbrush and mineral/ iron/ iodine notes. Pure and delicious. A great bottle. — 18 hours ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

Another great one showing finesse & elegance with black cherry, berry, spice, crushed rock, licorice, graphite & violets — 13 days ago

Conrad Green

9.4

Intense. BlackBerry and a touch of tar. Iron and minerality. Dried herbs. Savory and powerful and young. Great — 21 days ago

with David and Walker

Andrew Cullimore

9.3

Medium ruby , quite wide medium ruby garnet rim . This is quite aromatic , with earthy sous bois , violets , black pepper , garrigue . On the palate quite elegant and dark fruited , bright acidity and quite strict tannins . Good cassis, blackberry , menthol touches , sous bois , grafite finish . This is ready and drinking well but will probably continue at this level for another 5-10 years or so. At Drouant Restaurant, Paris . — 7 days 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!
— 2 days ago

Rob DeShane

9.5

2001: so silky! A wine that has so much complexity and the smoky meatiness and mint was so intriguing! Just wow! — 25 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 — 19 days ago

Conrad Green

9.7

Ooh. Super fresh. Dark tangy fruit with a slightly medicinal edge. Plum and iodine. Dried herbs and a bloody, feral intensity. Amazing — 21 days ago

with Walker and David

Albert Phelps

9.1

Delicious. Smooth and full bodied but not overly powerful. Great finish. — 10 days ago