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 — 6 days ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.6

Mature. Of course.
But…, it keeps on changing in the glass….
So much life and panache….!
A fantastic example of aged Hermitage. — a month ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.6

07 is in a fabulous place, expressive, detailed and defined wafting layers of creme de cassis, camphor and violets with a vibrant and velvety palate with soft tannins and a long mineral inflicted finish. An absolute classic and an elegant rendition in 2007, and fully open for business! — 3 months ago

Vanessa

9.6

Where do I begin… this wine is stunning.

It is positively golden in color with concentrated notes of caramel, butterscotch, vanilla, creme brûlée, dried apricot, yellow apple,peach, nectarine, yellow cherry, kumquat, baked quince, lemon curd, honeysuckle, butter cream, lavender,, dried herbs, fennel, beeswax, honey, chamomile, hazelnut, praline, honey, & wet stones…

It’s textured!!! Waxy & mouth coating, full bodied, round, & opulent.

Alcohol is high at 14.5% ABV — it’s warming but balanced and integrated with the deeply rooted flavors and elevated, vibrant acidity. Yum!!!!!
— 6 days ago

with Deked1

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2016 vintage. Last tasted 06.10.22 (9.4). Medium-heavy body now. Decanted and tasted after 30 mins. A slight amount of sed. Earth, shrooms, motor oil, fudge, dark plum and gaminess all there for the taking. Just starting to stretch its legs out. 05.22.25. — a month ago

Ed Chin

9.4

Not what I expected i assumed elegance and was surprised that it was so full of fruit at this age. Another 5 yrs would help but right now it so pleasurable. — 2 months ago

Doug Powers

9.3

Youthful medium-dark color, great red and blackfruit aromas and flavors, excellent balancing acidity, still shows quite a bit of structure, but tannins are not harsh, I’d guess 3-5 more years of further aging is merited, but it may last much longer than that, long, lingering finish, excellent Crozes!! — 21 days ago

with Jim

Henry Fuseler

8.9

5/2025. Great flavor and mouthfeel. Nice color. Drank well even with an alc of 12% — a month ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.8

Amazingly fresh and vivid. Seems at least 5 (or 10?) years younger….!!
One of the most impressive examples of how White Hermitage could age.
Marvelous…!!! 🤪 — a month ago

Robert Stackowiak

9.0

100 per cent Syrah. A very nice Crozes Hermitage that will provide a day to day solution for those of you who like Hermitage wines. May 2025. — 2 months ago