Joel Lara

9.4

This is a textbook, full-bodied Ravera with strong mineral backbone, vibrant acidity, and sturdy tannins. Beautiful tar, white pepper, cherry and mineral aromatics follow through onto the palate, where they provide intense, concentrated depth that’s complemented by notes of cocoa, balsamic, and anise. The finish is tasty, with mostly the anise and iron/saline mineral notes coming through. The tannins add astringency to the finish, but this is overall a splendid Barolo that’s robust in style. It was delicious with ribeyes and balsamic, honey-glazed butternut squash.

— 8 days ago

Nicolas Duchesneau

9.3

Excellent Bordeaux mature, quoiqu’il a encore de nombreuses années devant lui c’était excellent, textbook Bordeaux, graphite, tabac, terre humide, gravier, belle finale. — 5 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. — 6 years ago

Martijn

9.0

Easy textbook Brunello. Glowing red transparent, chocolate nose. Drinking with a silk touch, very subtle acidity. — 2 months ago

romo

9.1

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

Hiroshi Tominaga

9.0

Rich, black cherry with some spice but balanced. Bought at TAC for ¥4,950. — 5 months 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. — 8 months 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