David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

94 that leans into 95.

42% Grenache, 24% Mourvedre, 21% Syrah, 8% Coundise & 3% Roussanne. 15.8% ABV but drinks like 14.5-14.9. Pairing is Allen Brother’s Cowgirls.

This has nice evolution & integration.

It is ripe, juicy, lush grapey, very Grenache style with a bit of funk-gym locker. Blackberries, black raspberries, stewed plum, spiced dark cherries, cherries, deep, dark spices, black pepper, tary notes, steeped fruit tea, dry leaves, cigar with ash, dry, crushed rocks, dry river stone, limestone minerals, clove, dark spice, cinnamon stick, mid berry cola, liquid violets, lavender with dark & red flowers, excellent waterfall acidity. Balanced, excellent tension, richness, elegance and refined polish. — a month ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

Mother Mary of God! Near Pomerol like. Charles Hendricks masterpiece. Menthol & a touch of mint.

Stunning vintage & wine.

This 07 is in perfect shape…at its peak. Still has 7 plus years of life.

Black raspberries, black raspberries, black plum, dark cherries, purple fruits, dark chocolate/pudding, dark spice, clove, nutmeg, softened, cinnamon stick, vanilla, dark, rich soils, moist, limestone mush, black tea, black licorice, bay leaf, salted caramel, dryish twig, menthol, mint, volcanic ash, sandalwood, dark withering to candied, red, blue florals, lavender framed in violets with perfect acidity and a amazingly, structured, well knitted/tensioned and elegantly polished finish that lasts minutes falling squarely on earthy minerality.

Second wine with an Allen Brither’s Ribcap recently bought on the secondary market for $55.

Photos of; James Cole on Silverado Trail, brass statue that is their bottle logo & their private tasting room. — 2 months ago

Vinovore

9.2

Love the Counoise element and this is definitely a lighter bodied wine relative to the Saxum range. Packing some heat and definitely needs time to come together - hopefully time will help. Hold (at least 3-5) — 3 months ago

Byron Hewett

9.7

Dynamite! Wow! Olives, black pepper, stems, the complexity here is incredible. I love these herbal savory elements. — 6 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

Another great btl with a silky, elegant mouthfeel showing notes of dark fruits, meat, iron, mineral, savory spice & violet — a month ago

Kamall

9.1

Savory, peppery and wonderful with cacio e pepe. — 2 months ago

Vanessa

9.3

It’s always a resounding ‘YES’ for JL Chave!!

That includes this luscious and concentrated Syrah from Saint-Joseph AOC in the Northern Rhône of France.

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave is a benchmark and icon of the Rhône Valley – a family-run operation since 1481 – with an entire range of deliciousness through the Domaine Jean-Louis Chave and JL Chave Selection portfolios.

This wine is deep ruby, trending on purple. It has pronounced aromas and flavors of boysenberry, blueberry, black cherry, cassis, pomegranate, also violet, bacon, sanguine, saddle leather, pipe tobacco, clove, cigar, damp earth, and black peppercorn. Alcohol is high (14.5% ABV) with medium (+) fine-grained and well-integrated tannins, medium (+) acidity, a medium (+) body, and a long, elegant finish.

It has a rustic and savory character with robust dark fruit notes; it’s layered, complex, structured, and age-worthy, benefitting from decanting. Still, it’s tasting wonderfully now.

Cheers to JL Chave and treasures of the Rhône!! — 3 months ago

with Deked1

Rufus King

9.1

Refreshing French Viognier-Sauvignon Blanc blend, served with Moroccan chicken at Bitter End, Wells, ME — a month ago

Delectable Wine

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9.2

Bottled in June 2023, the 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape ended up slightly below my initial assessment from barrel last year. Nonetheless, it presents a distinctively elegant and refreshing character that’s neatly defined by ripe black cherry, licorice, violet, strawberry and meaty traces. Round tannins neatly frame this savory and polished red that offers highly enjoyable drinking right out of the gate. (Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous, June 2024)
— 19 days ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.4

Excellent really. Sweet Pinot Fruit. Cherry 🍒 mostly. Just 13.5%. Very refined. Like a Burgundy at a much better price point. Planted in 1996 to Pommard, Wadenswil and 114. Dry farmed! Needs at least 2 hours of air. Teanotes, … fresh! In my book one of the top 10 Pinots in the US. — 2 months ago