Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Equally enjoyable on both nights however, the nose was most powerful on Day 1. “Ampodium” (formerly Classique) is 100% Syrah sourced from a dozen or so vineyards and made in a largely traditional style; plenty of whole cluster and a very judicious use of new French oak. The 2010 “Ampodium”pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and signs of light sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe, some desiccated and some tart, black and blue fruits: blackberries, blueberry pie, fields of lavender, black pepper, bacon fat, iodine, and granite earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (mostly integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and laden with rocky minerals. Totally in balance and at peak. Lovely. Drink now through 2035. — 6 days ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.4

Great vintage for the La La’s. But it’s not ready. The nose is stunning, captivatingly aromatic after a few hours in the decanter, layered with Northern Rhône classicism of blackberry, camphor and bacon fat. The palate is massively concentrated but oaky and stiff. Needs more time to integrate but all the pieces are there! — 7 months ago

Jody Scharf

9.4

Wow, should've sat on this for like 10 more years, Did not know to do that.. But full nose, hangs on the palate with acid that tingles the sinuses. Flavor? Dark thick fruits ..! — 9 months ago

Doug Powers

9.2

Lovely bottle sweetness, fruit shows a little fat, as acidity has mostly faded, rich and deep flavors, medium-long, lingering finish, mature but still a lovely bottle tonight!! — a month ago

with Jim

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of 90min. The 2020 pours a deep ruby/purple color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of powerful ripe dark and blue fruits: Marionberries, figs, purple flowers, bacon fat, black olives, rocky minerals and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Young, but this is another lovely vintage of Chave Saint-Joseph. Give it time. Best after 2030 and drink through 2040+. — 3 months ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.4

Love these wines. 2015 is excellent tonight after sufficient air, densely concentrated and a clear child of the solar 2015 vintage, wafting layers of dark fruit, olive tapenade, camphor, bacon fat and black truffle. The palate shows exceptional balance and detail despite the massive concentration and warm vintage with great acidity, melting tannins and superb length. Beautiful wine, but very young. — 8 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

When 1st opened this was all black & blue fruits, inky, graphite that opened with air revealing dark cherry, berry fruit, bacon fat, black olive, pepper, spice & violets — a month ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.0

Deep ruby color. Aromas of bazooka bubblegum, cherry and hint of sage. Very tasty cab blend- interesting aromas and full of red fruit on the palate. — 3 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.0

NV | Natural wine from the Mosel: Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling | with tomato tonnato | at Cammionette Antwerpen — 8 months ago

Doug Powers

9.0

Found a box of this the other day in the cellar, the original Jaboulet box was damaged and so I’d moved it to a non-Jaboulet box 7-8 years ago. Further, this was the only bottle showing any real ullage (about 1.5”), so opened it first (I do have more, and will report when I open the next bottle).

Color is medium-dark ruby, some bacon fat and meaty aromas, lovely fruit still, structured has softened, long finish, but I’m sure a pristine bottle will show even better!! — 9 months ago

with Jim