François Saint Lô

François Villard

Reflet Saint Joseph Syrah 2010

Opened just prior to dinner and decanted. The 2010 “Reflet” pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with heady notes of dark brambles, spiced cured meat, purple flowers, black pepper, Kalamata olive, dried green herbs, granitic earth, and a kiss of 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. This is squarely in the zone and fantastic stuff. Drink now through 2035+. — 2 months ago

Tom, Daniel and 13 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

Tom Casagrande Influencer Badge

Very cool. I would have expected a 16-year old St. Joe to be tired. Those 2010 Northern Rhones are aging well, though. Wish I had some left!

Jean-François Malsert

Saint Joseph Syrah 2021

Very nice St Joseph. Nice purple fruit and a bit of barnyard on the nose. Slightly unresolved, but still complete with good length. — 2 years ago

Ira, Lyle and 3 others liked this

François Saint-Lô

Hey Gamin! Gamay

Bright this back from Paris 2018 and opened for Christmas 2022. Wasn’t sure how this was going to age but opened as funky and delicious as I had hoped. Notes of blue cheese and fermented blueberries. Bright notes of kombucha in the taste. Natty wines can age! — 3 years ago

Ginny DeLacey
with Ginny

Jean-François Malsert

Lou Taissou Saint Joseph Syrah 2020

Jan A
9.3

Note to self next bottle in two years. Near peak — 4 months ago

Lisanne, Stef and 8 others liked this

Château Grand Corbin-Despagne

Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend 2020

2020 vintage. 75% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. Owned by the Despagne family since 1812, and the current 7th generation (François Despagne) seems to be serious about quality. This 2020 displays impressive aromatics, concentration, depth, and precision, with fresh acidity balancing the 15% abv. — 2 years ago

Ruud, Peter and 2 others liked this

François Villard

Mairlant Saint Joseph Syrah 2018

It’s been almost 2 years since my last bottle of this, and the cellaring has been beneficial. Powerful nose shows all sorts of animal and mineral notes. Some pungent tiny berries underneath. A little sponti funk note too. It explodes on the palate. Dense, mouthcoating flavors, but they’re almost electrocuted by the zingy acids on steroids. Loads of tiny, zingy, dark mountain berries. There’s a fair amount of tannin, but they’re very soft and pillowy. Well done. Will last and improve several more years. — 2 years ago

Dawn, Ted and 15 others liked this

François Mikulski

Saint-Aubin Chardonnay 2021

Beautiful Villages St. Aubin. — 2 years ago

Bob, Jan and 8 others liked this

François Villard

l'Appel des Sereines Syrah 2019

Textbook Northern Rhone Syrah in a very affordable, drink now package. Bing cherry, currants, light and pleasantly integrated peppercorn and smoke notes, a touch of beef bouillon and soil. Medium bodied, pure textures of finely grained tannin and perfectly integrated acidity. Med+ on the finish. If you have been drinking new world syrah and are hesitant to buy in on a Cote-Rotie, Hermitage or even a Saint-Joseph, this is a nice entry point. — 4 years ago

Ira, "Odedi" and 8 others liked this