Doug Powers

9.5

Nearly 100% Syrah cuvée from the Languedoc, this is an amazing wine still, meaty, gamey, animale, garrigue, and surely topped off with some Brett, deep and complex, with layers of flavors, this seems close to mature, though I wouldn’t bet against further positive development in bottle, good acid balance, only minor nit is just a tad of dryness in the long, lingering finish, and only 12.5% ABV as well — 6 months ago

with Jim

Bob McDonald

9.3

See previous note 106 weeks ago. Dense crimson black. Quite ripe fruit on nose and palate. Lovely richness without excessive weight. Finishes dry. Medium minus acid. Georgie said some Animale note with white pepper. In our blind tasting options, Barb and Georgie thought this was Australian which was a fair assumption. Excuse the water damaged label. — 2 years ago

with Georgina

Jack Petras

9.4

2020 Grand Cras, have had it several times a hint of animale dark stones concentrated red fruits, tannic and taut. Mouthwatering acidity. Incredible value at $21 retail. A standard bearer Morgon. Just also had 2021 equally as satisfying, a remarkable wiine. — 2 years ago

Fredybeans

9.6

Robe noire légère évolution
Nez délicat épicé fruit noire sans note animale ni boise
Bouche délicate mais pleine facon côtes de Beaune superbe — 4 years ago

with Pico and El

Bob McDonald

9.8

Still a very dense crimson with no tawny rim, at 28 years of age but the tawniness is beginning. A certain feral, Animale, earthy note. Palate is ultra smooth, medium bodied / very savoury yet with a sweetish earthy note with a hint of raspberry. Jancis Robinson was invited by Stephen Henschke to a vertical tasting at the winery in May 2013 to cover vintages back to the late 1950’s. She described the 1996 as “pure hedonism “ and gave it 19/20. Medium plus intensity on the delicious palate with those gnarled old 160 year vines showing through. An absolutely stunning wine - one of the best we’ve had this year. — 8 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

See previous notes here on Delectable. Mid to pale ruby in colour. Pale yet powerful. Great aromatics of pansies, rose petals and violets also stalkiness. As Barb said the aromas of a beautiful garden. After a while an Animale, feral note not unlike some Burgundies we’ve had. Medium bodied palate - dried red fruits with a sweet yet savoury twist. A very polished new World Pinot by any measure. Tasters often identify with Central Otago and Martinborough for quality NZ Pinot Noir. Don’t forget about Canterbury in the South Island not far from the city of Christchurch. Luckily I have 2 left. Bob Campbell MW says drink through to 2025. — a year ago

Fredybeans

9.1

Robe noire
Nez de prune, frais, précis
Bouche ample gourmande et fraîche
Finale fruit noire et légèrement animale — 4 years ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Wrapping up a wild weekend, I finished this bottle of Cuchet-Beliando Cornas that I opened Friday evening. It was awesome on the pop and pour and continued to develop in a lovely arc through Sunday evening when I enjoyed my last glass. The 2017 pours a deep ruby/purple with a magenta rim and what’s basically an opaque core. Medium+ viscosity and moderate staining, with some signs of sediment. On the nose the wine is developing with notes of the most pure black and red brambles, some blueberries, a bit of animale, deli case, pimento loaf, lavender, a whole Pensey’s bag of Tellicherry pepper corns, black olives, cedar and gentle warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the palate although the brambles are a bit more red. The finish is long and with loads of meat and black pepper. This is a stunning Cornas that has some real class behind the feral Cornas curtain. I really love this…but I’m an absolute sucker for the Rhône. Drink now with some patience but this will be brilliant for decades. 2024-2057. Thanks for the assist @Lyle Fass — 8 months ago

Jay Kline

9.6

Popped and poured; enjoyed over three days. Special on Day 1. Sensational on Day 3. The 2018 pours a deep purple color moving towards a magenta rim with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. There appears to be some fine sediment as well. On the nose, the wine is developing with fascinating notes of blackberries, smoked blueberry crisp, lavender, animale, bacon fat, new leather, black olives, iron-like minerals and some faint spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish lasts for an eternity and it’s laden with purple flowers, fruit and minerals. This is a thrilling Cornas with enormous energy and character. While it’s a delight to enjoy now, I expect a long life. My next bottle will be after 2028 and I wouldn’t be at all surprised to get thrills through 2038.. The last glass had loads of fine sediment coating the glass; just something to keep in mind. — 10 months ago

Fredybeans

9.5

Robe noire
Bouche ultra ample avec une pointe animale
Coeur de bouche énorme matière presque dans un registre d hermitage et finale très très savouer usé mais plus sur la force que sur la finesse
Vin superbe mais j en attendais peut être trop — 3 years ago

with Pico