Domaine Jean-Louis Chave
Saint-Joseph Syrah
St. Joseph, Northern Rhône, Rhône, France
Some Brett, which is a little distracting for me, but doesn’t totally ruin it. Rich and savory, lots of herbal quality, bramble raspberries and dried cherries. A bit hot, which is surprising given the green notes in there. Going to let this open up for a day or two as it’s a bit linear right now, and check back in with it later. It’s a nice Syrah, but I was hoping for more. EDIT: Day two, after decanting and leaving in a partial bottle, this wine was totally singing. Opened right up, almost Barbaresco-like character. Totally shows off what Syrah can do. Rating upgraded.
Some Brett, which is a little distracting for me, but doesn’t totally ruin it. Rich and savory, lots of herbal quality, bramble raspberries and dried cherries. A bit hot, which is surprising given the green notes in there. Going to let this open up for a day or two as it’s a bit linear right now, and check back in with it later. It’s a nice Syrah, but I was hoping for more. EDIT: Day two, after decanting and leaving in a partial bottle, this wine was totally singing. Opened right up, almost Barbaresco-like character. Totally shows off what Syrah can do. Rating upgraded.
Aug 14th, 2021
Brilliant. Wide, deep and expansive, darkly fruited nose. Tiny purple flowers and pink peppercorn. Perfumed. Some doughy aromas. Ripe black cherries with herbal notes of savory, oregano and menthol on the salty, long finish. Fruity, suave, nicely tart and concentrated palate. Just getting going.
Brilliant. Wide, deep and expansive, darkly fruited nose. Tiny purple flowers and pink peppercorn. Perfumed. Some doughy aromas. Ripe black cherries with herbal notes of savory, oregano and menthol on the salty, long finish. Fruity, suave, nicely tart and concentrated palate. Just getting going.
May 21st, 2021Unfortunately disappointing. Lacked structure, definition and energy. A bit too rich and clumsy. Not modern but lots of new world fruit. Hopefully it sheds some baby fat and transforms but unlikely.
Unfortunately disappointing. Lacked structure, definition and energy. A bit too rich and clumsy. Not modern but lots of new world fruit. Hopefully it sheds some baby fat and transforms but unlikely.
Jan 4th, 2021
Fresh, savory, drinking very nicely. Raspberry coulis, macerated huckleberry, apricot, candied olive, smoke, black truffle, talcum, violet, pepper and sweet smokey meat. Tannin and acid playing nicely off one another, great harmony on that front. Texture from front to finish is elegant, long, has pedigree with Burgundian leanings. Perfect with chou farci, vadouvan, and black truffle.
Fresh, savory, drinking very nicely. Raspberry coulis, macerated huckleberry, apricot, candied olive, smoke, black truffle, talcum, violet, pepper and sweet smokey meat. Tannin and acid playing nicely off one another, great harmony on that front. Texture from front to finish is elegant, long, has pedigree with Burgundian leanings. Perfect with chou farci, vadouvan, and black truffle.
Dec 15th, 2020
Clove, all spice, currant and cured meat. Pretty tasty.
Clove, all spice, currant and cured meat. Pretty tasty.
Dec 7th, 2020Rich and flabby. Lacked texture. Classic n Rhône notes back no energy or crunch.
Rich and flabby. Lacked texture. Classic n Rhône notes back no energy or crunch.
Dec 2nd, 2020Taking a few of the 2017s for a test drive. More complex and robust than the Offerus. Blackberry, tart cherry, pork fat and smoke. Not too closed today with air but will get better over time.
Taking a few of the 2017s for a test drive. More complex and robust than the Offerus. Blackberry, tart cherry, pork fat and smoke. Not too closed today with air but will get better over time.
Jun 23rd, 2020
From one of the King’s of Rhône, JL Chave, and from the great ‘03 vintage. A real pleasant surprise how well this showed. A true representation of terroir and it’s region. Still alive and well and maybe not even peaked. Animalistic, powerful and intense. Black fruits, camphor, dried herbs and spices. Really impressive depth and complexity. Finishes with excellent length as well. Thrilling.
From one of the King’s of Rhône, JL Chave, and from the great ‘03 vintage. A real pleasant surprise how well this showed. A true representation of terroir and it’s region. Still alive and well and maybe not even peaked. Animalistic, powerful and intense. Black fruits, camphor, dried herbs and spices. Really impressive depth and complexity. Finishes with excellent length as well. Thrilling.
May 27th, 2020
Unbelievable. Velvety smooth. Alluring aroma. Drinking well now but will definitely improve over many many years.
Unbelievable. Velvety smooth. Alluring aroma. Drinking well now but will definitely improve over many many years.
Mar 24th, 2020Great density on the palate that remains focused. Very seamless across the palate, with oak, acid, tannin, and alcohol all in balance. Classy but still has a wholesome nature to it. Beautiful aromas and flavors of cooked mulberry, blackberry jam, charred meat, pastille, bacon, cedar, bitter roots, graphite, woodsmoke. Drinking great right now
Great density on the palate that remains focused. Very seamless across the palate, with oak, acid, tannin, and alcohol all in balance. Classy but still has a wholesome nature to it. Beautiful aromas and flavors of cooked mulberry, blackberry jam, charred meat, pastille, bacon, cedar, bitter roots, graphite, woodsmoke. Drinking great right now
Feb 20th, 2020