Jae Cho

9.1

A very serious return to a cool vintage taste profile I don’t recall since the ‘14. Lavender, herbs, mineral in addition to the sweetly ripe blackberries and stems. Appreciating the 13% abv. — 19 days ago

Michael Greene

9.5

Brilliant Syrah. Still young but open. Velvety tannin. Inky dark fruit. Dried herbs. Amazing with rotisserie leg of lamb. — 22 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

The vines for Chapoutiers “L’Ermite” are largely pre-phylloxera and some are well over a century old. Along with the typical associated fruits and non-fruits: brambles, spiced grilled meat and minerals, this bottle of the 1999 had a bit of a radish note, some old dusty leather-bound books and also had a touch of ethyl acetate. A touch closed relative to the other wines in the Hermitage flight but certainly didn’t seem to be fading and the grilled lamb and Moroccan spices helped to unlock some of its character. Drink now through 2035. Merci Dave!  — a month ago

Matthew Cohen

9.6

Nose: dark. Dense blackberries. Pencil shavings. As this opens more suave. Crushed lilacs.

Palate: graphite. Sweet dark blackberry. Long. Dense. Very good. As this opens. Silky.

Fass selections — 11 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.0

2019 vintage. Needed to chill it down 10 degrees. Last tasted 3.8.23. — 24 days ago

Jacob Onufrychuk

9.5

Just ridiculously good. Such a deep purple color, smells and tastes of blueberry and plum. Long finish that coats my mouth with that dark fruit taste. — 25 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

The 1994 was initially a bit shy on the nose but after many hours in the decanter, it showed such amazing character. In fact, it shared some characteristics with a lightly peated single malt scotch, with light smoke, marmalade, honey, golden raspberry and wet stone. More of its character was unlocked with food. In this case, monkfish, sweet potato, leek, and winter truffle. Drink now through 2034+ — a month ago

Doug Powers

9.5

Wow, nearly one year later another pristine, non-cork-tainted, bottle of this outstanding 35-year-old Hermitage — outstanding fruit which is still surprisingly youthful, complex, long finish, just an amazing wine that seems 10 more years from maturity (good cork dependent), great juice!!! — 16 days ago

with Jim

Joe Weinberger

9.4

This was still incredibly youthful. Would never have guessed ‘89. — 4 months ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Not to be outdone, the 1989 Chave Hermitage Rouge showed more brambles than the ’88 along with other desiccated blue and black fruits. Dried flowers, beef, blood, leather and mushrooms. Every time I have the pleasure of drinking old Chave, I’m reminded that these wines have so much character and there is a reason they are so adored. Lovely with grilled lamb and Moroccan spices. Drink now through 2040. — a month ago