Hiroshi Tominaga

9.0

Rich, black cherry with some spice but balanced. Bought at TAC for ¥4,950. — 2 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Dark Ruby red color with dark berry fruit, herbs and spice aromas, blended with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon. On the palate flavors of plum, cherry and dried herbs with leather, cacao and espresso notes. Fine tannins, medium+ finish spicy ending, good now. — 9 months ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.3

2015 vintage. Second vintage consulted by Hubert de Boüard. A blend of 55% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Petit Verdot. Textbook Margaux of Cru Classé quality. Refinement and depth with a serious soft tannic backbone and great length. Terrific value at 20 euros. Highly recommended. — 5 years ago

James Everhart

8.9

Textbook Cabernet Frank drinking well eight years after harvest. 2017 vintage purchased in January 2024 $24. — 3 months ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Served blind alongside what was eventually revealed to be the 2018 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars “SLV”. This was immediately recognizable as Montebello with a textbook nose of deftly balanced American oak and a decidedly brighter version of Cabernet Sauvignon. Distinctive and distinguished but woefully young. Unless you have multiples, please hang onto these until at least 2029. I am convinced that Monte Bello is truly an American treasure. — 3 years ago

Ainsley

9.0

Well structured and balanced wine; great density and silky tannins. Blackberry, black cherry, cedar and clove meet on the palette. Great find! — 5 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

Very nicely balanced and fragrant. Dried sea shells, chicken broth, hay, lemon-lime. Rounded and juicy in the mouth, with chalky minerality, nicely ripe fruit, and nice acids. Pretty textbook. — 5 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Saint-Joseph V.2018
Northern Rhône Valley, France 🇫🇷

Overview
Made entirely from 100% Syrah, this wine hails from one of the most celebrated AOCs of the Northern Rhône. The 2018 vintage was a powerful, structured year, known for ripe fruit and depth, making it one of the standout recent harvests in the appellation.

Aromas & Flavors
Nose: blackcurrant, blackberry, plum, and spices (notably black pepper, nutmeg) with floral hints of honeysuckle.
Palate: savory notes of smoked meats, olives, herbs, licorice, chocolate, and a touch of oak, layered beautifully with rich black fruit.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied, meaty, and concentrated with ripe tannins, round structure, and long finish. Balanced acidity ensures freshness while delivering intensity and elegance.

Winemaking & Style
Traditional Rhône winemaking highlights the terroir’s granite soils and classic Syrah character. The 2018 vintage is built for longevity, with the richness of fruit and structure to age gracefully for another decade.

Food Pairing
Ideal with duck confit, braised short ribs, lamb shank, venison stew, or wild mushroom risotto. Pairs just as well with aged cheeses like Comté or Manchego.

Verdict
A textbook Saint-Joseph: bold yet elegant, savory yet fruity, with the hallmark spice and depth that defines Northern Rhône Syrah. Aging potential of 10+ years, but already showing incredible balance and drinkability now. — 6 months ago

romo

9.1

Textbook chenin, full satisfying mid-palate. Would have enjoyed this earlier in the sequence. — 3 years ago

Nathan Renfro

9.6

Must decant, right out of the bottle it’s a little green, but cassis still comes through. Give it 45 min plus and it’s a treat. Dark black fruit, well integrated silky tannins, slightly dense full mouthfeel with nice long finish. I just love this wine. — 5 years ago