Cena casa augusto con peter z — a year ago
The Mâcon-Vergisson, Cuvée Antonine Lachaize is a distinctive Chardonnay sourced with grapes from less than 6 miles from Mâcon, sharing and facing same terroir of the famous domaine “Roche de Salutré, it provides an authentic baked pear aromas, well-balanced on the mid-range palate with some yellow apples taste and a very soft toasted notes. Barely any cream or butter-like mouthfeel, and stays on the lighter side, not lingering finish. — 2 years ago
An absolute monster of a wine. 4 hours in the decanter served perfectly to allow this 2001, perhaps one of the best Hommage vintages ever, to flaunt its incredibly complex aromatic array of black fruits, roasted Provençal herbs, licorice, campfire smoke and Christmas spices.
It’s still youthful with ripe tannins and a ton of muscle. Nowhere near its peak. But it’s entering its drinking window seamlessly, being incredibly giving and expressive with sufficient air. Similar to how VV Gonon differs from the regular bottling, Hommage just cranks everything up to 10 and it’s concentrated flavors come at you in waves. But it never gets heavy as there is just enough lift and precision to keep everything harmonious. A very special bottle from a very special vintage indeed. — 5 years ago
Cuu amogos — 3 months ago
A very palatable Chardonnay sourced from a vineyard located in Vergisson, which faces the prominent “Roche de Solutré” within <6 miles from Macôn. It displays all about balance between acidity and creaminess, white florals on the nose, some appealing citrusy notes, yet an inviting minerality provides a great balance as soon the wine navigates through your palate. Overly clean with some distant Quincy notes as well. It is a splendid casual sipper! — a year ago
Off the charts good, textbook classic Syrah made in a clean and almost too perfect way. Where are the faults? Kidding aside this is about as good as anything I have had from St. Jo from Gonon or anyone else. All the classic notes of black pepper, roasted meats, bacon fat, olive, the hole package...the nose is very pronounced and the palate has freshness to the generosity, a super long finish and a very fun and enjoyable bottle! — 4 years ago
JG. M. Open good — 6 months ago
For me the current best wine in St. Joseph. Just a stunning stunning expression of St. Jo. Nose is insane. The most detailed olives ever. Just gorgeous. Also herbs de Provence and so much granitic intensity. Also dark flowers. Dark blueberry fruit and dark berry fruit. Just so deep, intense and utterly brilliant. I love this wine. Wow that palate. So so elegant and juicy and with achingly beautiful finesse. My god this is so delicate and I am sorry but this has more elegance than. Gonon. Just wow. The concentration is off the charts and my goodness the inner mouth olive flavors intermingled with wild mint are to die for. Unreal refined and classy tannins and is juicy, balanced and perfect. Wow. Can’t wait to see what air does. 9.8 for now. With some short term air the nose is just crazy. So complex and floral. So sleek and juicy and man those tannins are all class. The quality of the fruit is exquisite! — 2 years ago
I met up with a buddy who is a huge Napa guy. It’s what he knows and to his credit, he has great knowledge of producers and has good taste. We decided to grab a bite at Buvette and he asked if I would pick out the bottle. He said he trusted my judgment, so I walked over to the Rhone wall and noticed the 2019 Jean-Louis Chave Saint-Joseph. Knowing the style, I figured it would touch some of the things he would be familiar with, particularly right now in its youth.
Popped and poured; no formal notes. The 2019 Saint-Joseph pours a deep purple color that stains the glass. On the nose, the wine is fresh and redolent of ripe black fruits and some blue fruits: blackberries and other dark brambly fruits along with some blueberries. The non-fruits were also there: beautiful purple flowers, black pepper, rocky minerals and some lovely vanilla and baking spices. On the palate, the wine was big, full-bodied and had great structure, nearing that medium+ range across the board. The acid is fantastic and the finish was long and savory. It’s easy to draw comparisons between Chave and Gonon as anymore, they share a similar price point and both are known leaders in the appellation. From my perspective, the Chave S-J comes across a bit more focused on the fruit, floral and spice characteristics while the Gonon S-J highlights the bacon fat and rotundone. Otherwise, both are excellent examples. FWIW, my buddy loved the wine (chalk one up for the Old World!) and it was an excellent pairing with our braised short ribs. Drink now to enjoy its youth or enjoy through 2034+. — 3 years ago
Sick wine. Opened after 15 Gonon was corked. Wild nose. Game. Blackberry. Olive. Dark violets. Palate is sweet, succulent and super tangy with great freshness and purity. Amazing tiny berry concentrated fruit and impeccable balance. Nose now coming into focus with lovely high toned violets, red and blackberry and even some cassis. This is truly wonderful. Terrific concentration and layering. Awesome fruit on this and wonderful minerality. Profound in every sense of the word. Super and very very complex. — 5 years ago
This was a real surprise. Pale gold in the glass, quince paste, tangerine, floral, a touch nutty, but with real acidic verve—not even remotely tired or flabby. Not quite on the level of Gonon Oliviers but really fantastic. Maybe I should rethink my biases re: rhone whites. Excellent with cast iron chicken with olives and artichokes — 5 years ago
Ron Siegel
Dark red cherry, berry fruit with notes of meat, savory spices, licorice, violets & tobacco — 9 days ago