Château Grillet, Northern Rhône

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

Hermitage Syrah 2001

It’s been a couple of years since I last encountered the 2001 vintage of Chave’s Hermitage. That bottle was a library release from the domaine and so is this example. Splash decanted directly before service. The 2001 pours a garnet color with a translucent core; medium viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous and a total umami bomb: Koji beef broth, dried and baked brambles, dried purple flowers, black pepper, Kalamata olive, organic and inorganic earth along with fine warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Looking back on my notes from 2024, there’s a common theme: the 2001 is all about dat bass. Drink now with some patience and through 2041. — 2 days ago

Brian, Lyle and 11 others liked this

Thierry Allemand

Cornas Reynard (R) Syrah 2014

Love these wines. 2014 Reynard is showing beautifully after sufficient aeration, layered and complete, wafting cassis, campfire smoke, olive tapenade and violets. The palate is seamless, elegant and satiny with a liquid rock minerality, fine grained tannins and massive length. A killer Reynard that right now is even more showy than surrounding vintages. — a month ago

Bob, Tom and 6 others liked this

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

Saint-Joseph Syrah 2018

Unreal. Still so young but drinking beautiful. — 23 days ago

Andrew, Dave and 8 others liked this

Paul Jaboulet Aîné

La Chapelle Hermitage Syrah 2015

New Years Eve dinner - which red wine to drink?! 🤔
Finally settled on an old favorite - Paul Jaboulet Hermitage.
Did not disappoint - smooth, concentrated fruits, with a hint of earthy, charcoal, tobacco.
Nice way to end our wine drinking for 2025, here’s to more great wines in 2026! 🥂
— a month ago

Neville Weston
with Neville
Joseph, Dave and 10 others liked this

Patrick Jasmin

Côte-Rôtie Syrah 2022

Lyle Fass
9.7

I love this wine. Nose is gorgeous. Some wood, intense florals and a pastille element. Blackberry, raspberry and so much unreal fruit. On the darker side. Palate is silky and sweet with top top finesse and terrific freshness. Really young but not inaccessible. So pure, so damn refined. A brilliant bottle. A day later this is transcendent. Siky yet rich palate, and gorgeous minerality. Luscious and so juicy. Creamy and long. 9.7. — 2 days ago

Dick, Jay and 7 others liked this

Domaine Jamet

Côte-Rôtie Syrah 2001

Dark rubi robe with a purple hue, not showing its 25 years. Nose is very evolved and more on secondary notes. Big disappointment on the mouth, very evolved and lacking complexity for such a stellar reputation. A good bottle that is not worth the price tag… — 19 hours ago

Jose Roberto Palazzoveronique paillardAdriana Pagliano
with Jose, veronique and 1 other
Jamie, Anthony and 3 others liked this
Jamie Lauder

Jamie Lauder

‘C’est la vie

Alain Graillot

Crozes-Hermitage Syrah 2022

To quote my earlier notes: “A $40 bottle that tastes like a $60-70 bottle.” — 24 days ago

Sarah Bignami
with Sarah
Doug, Tom and 6 others liked this
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@Chris MacLean, these bottles, particularly the “La Guiraude”, will develop for 30-35 years in the best vintages (I posted on a 1990 La Guiraude within the past year. Alain made great Crozes-Hermitage, it sounds like his sons have kept up the quality of the wines!!

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

Hermitage Blanc Marsanne Roussanne 1989

Shows as though it’s maybe 10 years old, white stonefruits, floral, medium viscous on the palate, finish goes on a long way, amazing and stunning wine!! — 9 days ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Dave, Tom and 11 others liked this
ESF

ESF

89/90 in one night is crazy town
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@ESF, purchased both Chavez on release, and I *think* they are last bottles I have, but hopefully I’ll discover a few more. Chave was still relatively affordable in those days for mere mortals like myself.
ESF

ESF

great purchase & great patience - 👍

Château de Saint-Cosme

Côte-Rôtie Serine 2021

Red berries and peppery, amazing taste, long aftertaste! Just amazing! — 11 days ago

M. Chapoutier

"Le Pavillon" Ermitage Syrah 1990

Amazing bottle with plenty of blue and red fruit, integrated tannins, and mushrooms for tertiary. Wonderful quality! — a month ago

Bill Sandborn MD
with Bill
Sagee liked this