Will Stanley

9.3

I find that Saint-Joseph can come in various guises, from polished, suave and extracted to meaty, rustic and traditional – perhaps due to the sheer size of the appellation and varied characteristics of its vineyards and vignerons. My first experience with Saint-Cosme’s SJ was an old bottle enjoyed around ten years ago that was superb. So, what’s it like now – and young?

The 2020 is a burly heavyweight, somewhere between traditional and modern in style, with punchy savoury aromas of grilled meat, charcoal, along with fresh blackcurrant, steeped plums and fig paste. There is also such a floral quality that it possesses a southern-Rhône appearance. But the palate is so very Syrah, very tannic initially and laden with dark fruits, espresso, dark chocolate and a kiss of new oak. This improves with air, and will improve with age. Built for the long-haul.

February 2025 — 6 days ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of dinner which lasted a couple do hours. The 2015 pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of powerful ripe red and dark fruit: black brambles, dark cherries, black pepper, boozy Christmas fruitcake, licorice, garrigue, leather and rocky earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with sneaky medium+ tanning that build with air. The acid is there too although I wouldn’t call it the main character. It does, however, play a strong supporting roll. Definitely a wine of texture. It has been a handful of years since my last bottle of the 2015 and it’s evolving very nicely! Secondary flavors are starting to show and everything remains balanced. Extended air did get it to freshen up a bit so I’d say this still has a long life ahead. Drink now with a healthy decant and through 2035. — 3 months ago

Abbas Zand

8.9

Dark ruby color, medium intensity and body. Medium+ acidity and tannins. Aromas of red cherry and raspberry. Flavors of red cherry, strawberry, raspberry, and blackberry. Little earthy, dusty, dark chocolate and a hint of coffee. Light Oak.
$12 — 18 days ago

Ming L

9.2

So much complexity for a vinho verde. Paired beautifully with grilled sardine.
Prior notes applied. — 3 months ago

Henry Fuseler

9.1

1:2025. Dark color, good fruit and a very dry finish. Paired well with the dry aged rib eye at Hall’s Chophouse. — 4 months ago

Justin Farrar

9.0

Crowd pleaser. Milk chocolately oak. Velvety smooth — 4 months ago

Peter Krug

9.3

robust and velvety — 2 months ago

Sam Friedland

9.0

Quite fruity, with Syrah’s spices, soft tannins, went very well with spicy merguez. — 3 months ago

Nagib Nasr

9.1

Very nice vionier — 3 months ago

Mark Chandler

9.2

Lovely deep colour, lots of fruit with oak and vanilla. Well worth the £12.95 from The Wine Society. A firm favourite and will stock up more of the 2018 vintage. — 4 months ago