Northern Rhône, Rhône

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

L'Hermitage Syrah 2018

Splash decanted immediately before service; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2018 pours a deep ruby/purple color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears and some sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with gorgeous notes of blackberry, fig, black pepper, bacon fat, lavender, aromatic wood resin, warm spices and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. This is already an absolute banger and hides its 15% alcohol as well as any wine I have ever encountered. I almost gasped when I saw the ABV on the label because I couldn’t believe it. This is beautifully balanced, and I feel privileged to try this wine in its relative youth. Drink now with a splash decant and through 2052+. Bottle No. 15902. — 25 days ago

Douglas, Jan and 8 others liked this

Château de Beaucastel

Coudoulet de Beaucastel Côtes du Rhône Red Rhône Blend 1998

Fully mature, still shows some primary redfruits, good acidity, longish finish, really a fine CdR!! — 6 days ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Tom, Dave and 8 others liked this

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 1988

Super clean and still quite youthful, this is a GREAT example of a 1980s CdP from a vintage of little surmaturite, so awesome balance and perfect acidity suggests this vintage will easily last another 5-10 years!! — 21 days ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Scott@Mister, Tom and 5 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

Tom Casagrande Influencer Badge

What a triumvirate of CDPs!
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@Tom Casagrande, another example of a great bottle outperforming critical reviews — of the 3 CdPs, the ratings given years ago would have been higher for the ‘89 Beau and ‘90 Pegau!!

E. Guigal

Château d'Ampuis Côte-Rôtie Syrah 2015

Shay A
9.5

94-95

This was one of the wines I served for my annual WWC hosting. All wines served blind.

93 syrah/ 7 viognier

The third syrah in my lineup was a wine I've enjoyed a few times over the last five years. Bangin' vintage and in a style I enjoy (syrah and vio). Purple-black in the glass, it offers up killer aromatics of rich, dark fruit, some baking spice, and smoked meat. Even with nearly four hours, this was a monster in structure with tannin that paired beautifully with an herb crusted lamb rack. Powerful on the palate with smoked berries, bacon, espresso, vanilla and a savory finish. Still on the upswing with lots of wonderful Cote-Rotie fireworks in store. Wish I had another!
— 20 days ago

Somm, Tom and 19 others liked this

E. Guigal

Brune et Blonde de Guigal Côte-Rotie Syrah

vintage 2015 | spicy, pepper, morelcherries, strict, good acidity — 12 days ago

Jay, Daniel and 9 others liked this

Domaine du Pegau

Cuvée Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2022

2022 vintage. Medium-heavy body. Needs time/patience but shows pretty well currently if you're out of either/both. 6.3.26. — 4 days ago

Jan, Ruud and 10 others liked this

Château de Trinquevedel

Tavel Grenache Rosé 2024

A classic! Got to love the color on Trinquevedel. Candied apple, watermelon. Great wine, friendly price. — 14 days ago

Domaine Auguste Clape

Cornas Syrah 2012

The 99 Chenin was oxed but the Clape was glorious. - at Archer — 17 days ago

Peter, Scott@Mister and 5 others liked this

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

Hermitage Syrah 2022

Beyond beautiful! Immediately soft upon opening—had planned to decant for 4-6 hours but decided against. Open and had small taste with Maggie Harrison around noon. Decided to re-cork it and decanted at 4PM.
At noon I got (very unexpected) cranberry notes on the nose and the palate was considerably more gentle than expected.

After two hour decant: Soft (cat tongue), integrated tannins, pomegranate, black cherry begins to emerge. Herbs, smoky/meaty notes emerge


Tasted: 5.20.26
Attendees: Mark Cerimele, Maggie Harrison, Steve Pfancuff, Lorne McClelland, Andy McCray, Denise Casino, Randy Nelson
— 19 days ago

Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe

Télégramme Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2016

Lovely sweet Grenache based fruit in an excellent vintage. Sweetness is the over riding palate descriptor reflective of the ripe vintage - red currant. A long persistent flavour profile. Telegramme is the second wine of Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe. — 5 days ago

Shay, Ray and 12 others liked this