Scott E. Becker

9.2

[Tasted on November 26, 2024 at Home with Michael and Rachel]

Blackberry, blueberry, smoked meat and garrigue. Wine is #14 on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 of 2019. — 25 days ago

Jay Kline

9.5

This bottle was a library release from the Chave cellars. Decanted about an hour prior to service (but could have benefited from more time) and enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 2001 Chave rouge pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of charred blueberry pie, mushrooms, scorched earth, grilled meat, coffee, black pepper and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and super complex. With more and more air, this really came into its own. Totally Chave. Totally Hermitage. Totally awesome. Drink now with a little patience and through 2041. — 5 months ago

Joe DAscoli

9.6

Wow. Closed nose but bright blueberry hits your palate first followed by a rush of dark and robust flavors to stand up to the ribeyes. — 2 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.4

Primarily Cabernet Sauvignon (77%) with the balance being a blend of Petite Verdot (12%), Malbec (8%) and Merlot (3%). Aromas of blueberries, kirsch, violets, forest floor and cedar wood. Well integrated flavors of blackberry, blueberry, black cherry, chocolate, tobacco, and graphite. Beautiful notes of vanilla, wild herbs and clay on the long and earthy finish. Amazing complexity and balance! Medium-plus bodied. Beautiful creamy texture and velvety tannins. So good for being so young. Looking forward to trying this wine again in a few years. Thank you so much for sharing this one, Keith S! — 2 months ago

Mark S.

9.3

Blueberry red and aroma in oak. Sweet and spicy. Makes me crazy its balanced taste. Comfortable and complex. Acidity is changed a lot. Yogurt. vega sicilia valbuena 5 ribera del duero 18 @8500, X, 240607 — 6 months ago

John W

9.0

Deep ruby coloration. On the nose, forest floor, plum, cherry, currants, spice and bbq. On the palate, blueberry, blackberry, cherry, plum, and high acidity right out of the bottle. After breathing some, notes of cedar, minerals, tobacco, and spice, carrying through to a longer finish of cherry, vanilla and mint. Tannins strong but balanced. — a year ago

Kapyrick Wine

9.5

v11. Outstanding! Soft leather nose. Fresh blackberry, blueberry and black licorice fruit. Velvety smooth, slightly chalky, mocha finish. Totally balanced. — 3 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

Owned in collaboration with Chris Ringland, Jorge Ordonez, Miguel Gil and others, located in Valley of La Aragona inside the Murcia district of Jumilla. Very dark Ruby, purple edges with floral fruit aromas and floral spice. On the palate blueberry and sweet black cherry flavors, savory with great mouthfeel, 24 months aging on French and American oak, the 70% Monastrell and 30% Cab Sauv has fine soft tannins, well integrated with oak, long finish ending with mineral tones, Will age well! — 4 months ago

Jess

9.2

Deeep purple color.
Aromas of baked blueberry, blackberry, green bell pepper, hint of vanilla.
Dry. Flavors of cassis, vanilla, cedar, licorice. Medium-rich, chewy tannins.

Intensity: 4/5
Complexity: 3/5
Balance: 5/5
Finish: 5/5 — 8 months ago

Severn Goodwin

9.3

Nose has dried plum, blackberry, cedar plank, light green herbal notes and damp white pepper.

Palate has ripe blackberry, dried blueberry, chocolate twizzlers candy, notable but fading tannins.

Purchased in February 2005; $33.
Paired to grilled lamb chuck (shoulder) chops.
Cork pulled for slow oxidation, 12H. Will hold until tomorrow, with expected improvement.

66% Cabernet Sauvignon / 24% Merlot / 5% Petit Verdot / 3% Cabernet Franc / 2% Malbec

Really a wow wine, wasn't expecting this showing, TBH this has 8-10Y in the tank still. — 2 years ago