Again, these are love it or hate it style wines, and I fall on the “love it” side every single time. This was part of a blind lineup for “Rhône style wines”. These wines are a bit difficult not to identify in a blind lineup due to their distinctive aromatics.
My note here is pretty similar to the 2011 I opened a year and a half ago. In true to Christophe Baron style, this is a savory packed punch wrapped in elegance. Aromatically, it’s a heady display of soy, teriyaki, green olive, peppercorn crusted smoked meats, currant and spicy rhubarb. At 10yrs, the palate is almost a dead ringer for high end northern Rhône Syrah. The savory/iron driven components from the nose continue but there is great acid followed by stems, herbs de Provence and lots of wildflowers/potpourri for a floral finish. I found the 2011 to have a lighter/more floral profile, but this one certainly has more stuffing and aging potential. This seems to just now be entering a peak drinking window.
Also in the lineup was a 2014 Hors Categorie (also from Christophe Baron), and I found the 2012 HP to taste younger, while the 2014 HC had a bit more heft in the mid-palate. Love both. — 2 years ago
Fresh natural wine. — 5 years ago
This kept getting better and better. Day 2 was special. Want to buy again and pay more attention — 3 years ago
NOSE: sherry and brandy-like. Distinct raisin, caramel. Orange (candied), lozenge, varnish, vanilla, baking spices (cinnamon, clove, etc), Rum-like marshmallow. Irish (pot still) whiskey. Laffy taffy.
TASTE: More acidity than expected, over the top raisin. Sulphur (not in a bad way, in a raisin way). Chilled apple cinnamon hibiscus tea with sugar and orange juice. Not my style - but it is made well. 90.
EDIT: someone mentioned roasted nuts and they are right. — 2 years ago
Mise de Septembre 2003. Tasted June 2020. Mahogany/red brick color. Acetone aroma that quickly blows off. Palate is racy, sweet/sour. Balanced and complex. Good with parma prosciutto or serrano ham, thai chicken satay with peanut sauce, and pad thai. — 4 years ago
Tart with a slight bitter earthiness, mineral flavor. Excellent chilled with hors d’oeuvres. — 5 years ago
Time for #MerlotThursday. Here is a tasty one from Israel.
Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish/ brick rim.
Pretty nose of blueberries, black currants, plums, sweet cherries, wood, licorice, spices, vanilla, earth, light vegetables, milk chocolates, black pepper and tobacco.
Medium plus in body with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, sweet cherries, cedar, leather, earth, vanilla, licorice, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, spices and peppercorn.
Long finish with fine tannins and tangy cranberries.
This Israeli Petite Syrah /Merlot blend is very enjoyable now. Spicy and elegant with lots of fruits. Showing nice complexity and a great mouthfeel.
This five year old is drinking very nicely now, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.
Good right out of the bottle and gets more complexity as it opens up (30 minutes). Right out of the bottle, it reminds me of an elegant Napa Bordeaux blend. After two hours in a decanter, it changes somewhat, and it feels more like a right Bank Bordeaux.
A very interesting wine, and nice as a sipping wine to enjoy with friends and talk about.
This series is not produced every year. This is bottle number 50 out of 2,500 produced.
Good by itself or with food. I paired it with a triple cream Brie cheese, and crackers.
A blend of Merlot, Petite Syrah and Cabernet Franc. Aged for 24 months in New French Oak barrels. Kosher and delicious.
13.5% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$85. — 5 years ago
Matt Tinnon
Amazing. Funky. — 4 months ago