John Willison

9.1

Crisp, clean. Citrus and oyster liquor. — 5 days ago

Tareyn

10

Special housewarming wine from Dr Blease. Enjoyed with mom and sisters after dress shopping for tris — a month ago

Ming L

9.2

The house style is still here with ripe, slightly over extracted blue fruits, baking spices, cocoa, and a plush velvety palate. But the fruits become less confectionary and some savory components have emerged. Acidity seems more apparent. Really nice integration.

I think Pinot bottlings from Belle Glos are at their best with 5-8 years bottle aging. This is another proof. — 2 months ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.3

Papas gaucho — 4 months ago

Matthew Cohen

9.4

N white flowers.
P nice acid. Mineral. Undefined citrus. Elegantly rich. Burgundian.

Darkroom *

Grapevine 39 3/5 else 40.50 — 5 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Opened prior to dinner. The 2009 “Le Méal” Blanc pours a light gold color with medium+ viscosity. On the nose, the wine was initially a bit reductive but that eventually gave way to ripe peaches, passion fruit, a mix of white and yellow flowers, beeswax, almonds, minerals and there was also a wild note of Bandaid with Neosporin (you can’t make this up). On the palate, the wine is dry with medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. The alcohol is high but balanced. Drink now with patience through 2039. — 8 months ago

Jack Petras

9.0

This 2022 Syrah petit Verdot blend is a very easy drinking wine. Has som finesse and subtleties. Cooling finish refreshing palate. — 2 years ago

Raun Kupiec

9.5

Just wow. Refined, interesting, precise, ethereal. — 4 days ago

Bernard Benninghoff

9.4

Great tasting, Fruit forward Cab — a month ago

with Brenda

K Brooks

8.9

Quite nice with Pat’s chicken. Oaky, floral, fruity, acidic. — 4 months ago

Mark S.

8.9

Cherry red. Black Fruity matured. Good concentration. Black pepper is not much. Fermented flavor.
Fruitiness M+ Sweetness M Acidity M Tannin M Soft Bitterness M Body M Finish M %
Balanced Concentrated M. Chapoutier Domaine de Bila Hait Occultum Lapidem Syrah Blend 20 @1000, city, 260629 — 4 months ago

Rufus King

9.1

Rich French red blend, served on Viking Danube cruise — 7 months ago

Gustavo

9.8

Maria Victória — 9 months ago

Thomas Hillskog

9.0

Good and balanced with a long finish but with a slightly earthy flavour that I did not quite like. — 9 months ago

Raun Kupiec

9.1

Superb, loved it. — 4 days ago

Michael Wehner

9.2

Floral nose. Pepper, red fruit, some gravel — a month ago

with Margaret

Alvaro Bustillos

9.0

Geras en santi — 3 months ago

Lyn Farmer

9.3

Deep Ruby color with intense black fruit aromas of cassis, black cherry, blackberry, violet, vanilla, cedar and crushed stone minerality. Light eucalyptus, forest floor, cigar box and graphite. Well balanced tannin and acidity though the wine feels a bit over-extracted. Delicious but a little heavy. Lots of room for development. — 4 months ago

Jamie Lauder

8.9

2024 vintage.
Grenache and Syrah blend.
Bright ruby colour.
Medium bodied, spicy, lively and juicy.
Plums, cherries, raspberries and currants with a woodsy, slightly earthy and a white pepper finish.
— 6 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

M. Chapoutier “De L’Orée” Ermitage Blanc 2021, Rhône Valley, France 🇫🇷

Overview
One of Chapoutier’s most celebrated single-vineyard Marsanne wines, sourced from very old vines (60–70 years) in the Les Murets parcel. The ancient alluvial soils contribute immense concentration and depth.

Aromas & Flavors
Intensely aromatic with citrus, acacia, caramel, ripe orchard fruit, and floral undertones, layered with toasted nuts and subtle spice.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied, powerful, and incredibly complex with remarkable length and precision.

Food Pairings
Lobster, scallops, foie gras, roasted poultry, or rich cream-based dishes.

Verdict
A monumental expression of Hermitage Blanc that demonstrates the extraordinary potential of old-vine Marsanne.

🍷 Personal Pick
My absolute favorite of the lineup. This single-vineyard Hermitage shows the firepower of old vines with stunning depth and complexity, easily among the best Marsanne ever tasted. Phenomenal.
— 8 months ago