Southern Rhône, Rhône

Domaine du Pegau

Cuvée Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2020

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Both days outstanding but slightly different experiences. Day 1 was about power. Day 2 was about balance. The 2020 “Cuvée Réservée” pours a brilliant garnet with a translucent core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with heady, slightly funky notes of ripe brambles, garrigue, red & purple flowers, bacon fat, licorice, and dry rocky earth. On Day 2, everything was more open nit and the fruit showed more bruised with a slightly stewed profile. Lavender was the predominate floral profile too. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. This is textbook Pégau and I love it. Drink now through 2045+ — a month ago

Joel, Tom and 5 others liked this

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

Hermitage Blanc Marsanne Roussanne 1990

This smells and tastes like a 20-year-old wine, not quite as great as the 1989, but not very far behind, these Chave Hermitage Blancs are outstanding!! — 2 months ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Dave, Zach and 14 others liked this
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E. Guigal

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2018

Blend of 70% old Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah, 5% other allowed varieties, aged for 3 years, deep inky red color with aromas of ripe berry fruits and earthy spice. On the palate flavors of black raspberry and blackberry with cedar, cacao and earth notes, vivid acidity nice structure. Fine tannins, long finish ending with fruit and spice character. Good now will still cellar. — 2 months ago

Dawn, David and 11 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… — 2 months ago

Jose Roberto Palazzoveronique paillardAdriana Pagliano
with Jose, veronique and 1 other
Adriana, Jamie and 7 others liked this

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 1989

Absolutely fantastic! — 2 months ago

Joe, Ericsson and 1 other liked this

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 months ago

Brian, Lyle and 15 others liked this

Château Rayas

Réservé Pignan Châteauneuf-du-Pape Grenache 2007

Bright and quite alcoholic. Very pretty and lifted. Bright cherry and classic rayas purity. Lovely balance. Still young. Excellent — 2 months ago

Rick KNaoko Dalla VallePaul Woolls
with Rick, Naoko and 1 other
Juan, Iwan and 9 others liked this

Château de Saint-Cosme

Gigondas Red Rhone Blend 2020

Amazing rich wine, well-balanced, at its prime! — 2 months ago

Clos des Papes

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2007

Opened several hours prior to service, the 2007 pours a deep, ruby/purple color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and desiccated bramble berries, strawberry, dried red flowers, garrigue, anise, leather, dried herbs and stony earth. 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 anything but tired and far from overblown. I’ve been surprised by a number of 2007 CdP’s lately. They have showed better balance than I expected and this one is wonderfully balanced. Drink now through 2037. — 3 months ago

Jason, Severn and 13 others liked this