Jay Kline

9.6

Splash decanted immediately before service; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2018 pours a deep ruby/purple color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears and some sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with gorgeous notes of blackberry, fig, black pepper, bacon fat, lavender, aromatic wood resin, warm spices and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. This is already an absolute banger and hides its 15% alcohol as well as any wine I have ever encountered. I almost gasped when I saw the ABV on the label because I couldn’t believe it. This is beautifully balanced, and I feel privileged to try this wine in its relative youth. Drink now with a splash decant and through 2052+. Bottle No. 15902. — a month ago

Tom Casagrande

9.3

Yet another exemplary wine from this co-op. Bloody and irony on the nose, some nice fruit underneath the primal elements. Very linear on the palate, medium body but great intensity of savory flavors. So soft and enveloping but without excess weight. Very nice acids. — 8 months ago

with Angelo

Andre

9.0

Tough Hermitage competition last night and it ranked slightly behind top producers JL Chave and Jaboulet (La Chapelle). Not quite as long and explosive, but who’s to complain — 2 years ago

Brada

8.9

Funky but I’d get it again — 5 years ago

Casey Schneider-Mizell

8.9

Surprisingly good, and as clearly northern Rhone syrah as any wine can be. It has the strong fruit and the floral complexity, but remains smooth on the palette and well balanced. — 6 years ago

Eryn Flynn

9.0

Fruity, medium bodied, easy to drink. Pairs well with meat and cheese.
— 6 years ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.1

vintage 2021 | Strict ánd cheerful. Cherries. Well balanced. Topwine from cooperative. . — a month ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

Epic night of Chave tonight with JL leading the tasting direct from his cellar. Group liked the newer 16 & 18 although the 04 was youthful & fresh — 4 months ago

Henry Wallace

9.4

Absolutely gorgeous. — 9 months ago

Lyndsey Wegner

9.1

This beautiful and aromatic Viognier is exactly what I look for and expect in this varietal. Lots of peach, white flower, citrus, with plenty of acidity and a lingering finish. It's got a little pep in its step and it's delightful! — a year ago

with Jamie

Michael Phillips

9.1

Nice mature well balanced. Earthy with dark fruit, garrigue and soft tannins. — 5 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.1

2016 vintage. Dark red. Black fruit, fresh herbs and a tarry hint, still holding back but obvious underlying complexity. Ripe blackberry and cassis, good focus and fresh acidity, refined tannin and an overall sense of harmony. Cave de Tain is probably the best co-operative in France and this is another fine showing. Good value for Hermitage at about 36 euro. — 6 years ago

Carlo Maria Rossotto

9.0

I discovered this fine Syrah on AF — 7 years ago

Angelo Casagrande

9.0

Deep , dark intensely black fruity; nose reminds me of my Nonno’s cantina. Soft, elegant, and delicious. Usually with grilled steak I opt for Zinfandel, but this change up really hit. Thanks for the wine, Tom. — 4 months ago

Kurt Schuster

9.1

Waxy, stone, fruit, white peach, crumbly limestone mineral water without the chalkiness. Un ripe stone fruit and lychee fruit tang. Very delicious, wish I would’ve had it a tad bit colder.  — 5 months ago

with Denise

Tom Casagrande

9.1

Truncated family party notes. So solid and typical and satisfying. As always. This Crozes is such a great value. Drink up. — a year ago

with Dan, Douglas and 2 others

J B

9.0

Eileen and Jack at apt in Paris with Roast Pork Tenderloin, mushrooms and Bak Choy. Good wine with a little spice-texture. Less than 10 euro grocery store selection — 5 years ago

Scott Petrus

9.4

Their was an earthiness where I was expecting meat and pepper. Still extremely good and with great depth. — 6 years ago

Matthew Cohen

9.2

Nose is floral/tropical.

Palate is honey and cantaloupe.

As this opens its quite elegant. Not a great wine. But as the English would say lovely. Palate has apricot pits and almost diluted honey. Not an in your face honey. But an elegant one.

Bought from fass selections. — 6 years ago

Severn G

9.2

Confrerie Des Chevaliers du Tastevin Sous-Commanderie d'Albany, Pauleé Dinner; 27 January 2019 at Lake Ridge Restaurant, Round Lake, NY — 7 years ago