4/25/2024 - DF@GCL Likes this wine:

Beautiful wine. Much fuller and warmer vs 2007 and 2006 (hallmark of 2009). But still some aromatics. Tanins are there but well integrated.

Notes of cured meat, red fruits and spices. Silex in the finish. Would recommend. Ready now. Enjoy!

1/27/2024 - Jonathanmustang Likes this wine:

Nez puissant et envoûtant, viandeux, bacon, fumée, bleuet, le poivre blanc, le cassis, beaucoup de fleur et un peu de chocolat noir
Attaque puissante, bleuet, chocolat, bien poivrée, café et viande crue. L’ensemble est encore tannique, la salive disparaît à chaque gorgée et on vois que la structure a encore besoin d’être affinée
Super vin, juste trop jeune, j’aimerais le revoir dans 15 ans ! 92 pts

1/27/2024 - Morrisson Likes this wine:

Une magnifique côte-rôtie. La saveur de petit fruits noirs est encore éclatante et pleine de fraîcheur. Les tannins sont biens présents mais commencent à être bien intégrés. Je crois que le vin a encore un peu de cave à prendre avant d’atteindre son apogée.

12/21/2023 - pilot360 wrote:

Was pretty tight , didn’t fully open up as I would expect . Did not really carry the Syrah on its shoulders. A bit anonymous.
This was a 18 year old wine that tasted international , without a home. I have another , no high hopes. Tasted with a group that could not sized this as Syrah amongst 2 BDX and a Pinot .

9/17/2023 - watcheslover Likes this wine:

Great Wine but i prefere Vialliere for 2020 (more complexity)

3/4/2023 - Wineallover Likes this wine:

Really nice aged Côte Rôtie but probably passed its peak not so long ago and will slowly go down from here (as opposed to plateau) so time to drink up. Forest floor, lighter style, almost Burgundian. Enjoyable but won’t buy again.

10/16/2022 - watcheslover Likes this wine:

A top quality wine but not at same level than Grandes Places for one time!

10/9/2022 - Jeff Leve wrote:

Smoke, tobacco leaf, dark chocolate, roasted cherries, and forest leaf notes are on the nose. On the palate, you find a full-bodied, lush, ripe, round, seductive, long, deep, fruit-filled experience. The wine is aged in 30% new, French oak barrels. A few more years will add additional complexity to the wine as it becomes better integrated. The wine will age for decades. Drink from 2025-2045.

8/12/2006 - rikipedia Likes this wine:

Rhone Walk-around Tasting (Carolines Wine Shop): 100% Syrah, 13% alc. Deep ruby colour with intense aromas of woodsmoke, tobacco, mineral, cappuccino, cedar and ripe black fruits. Full-bodied on entry, the ripe almost baked fruit is sweet but sated by a lively acidity. Plenty of blackberry and some bilberries along with cigar box and twist off crushed black peppercorns. New World in style, the wine has richness, great depth of flavour, clear new oak with a grippy tannin. Long finish with some complexity this is an excellent wine.

7/19/2022 - Burgundy Al wrote:

Sommelier Scholarship Fund Tasting (Popina - Brooklyn NY): Walk around tasting. Intensely rich with the stuffing to hold everything together. Very good right now and for the next decade.

4/29/2022 - Raage Likes this wine:

(Ampuis)
Quelle matière! quelle concentration ! C'est un peu too much à ce stade, mais avec cette longueur et cette richesse, c'est le genre de syrah xxl qui prendra tout son sens sur 15/20 ans..
Et le terroir semble transcender le vigneron, l'idée me plait.
92/93+

1/9/2022 - Edwin_3 wrote:

was good I think

12/24/2021 - pgordon62 Likes this wine:

An excellent showing - classic old wine leathery plum fruit, bright cherry, a very pleasing smokiness, earth and a floral freshness. No sign of the heat of the vintage. As a complete oakaphobe I was worried about the 100% new oak but is full integrated with just a touch of appealing woodiness. Ready to go with just a touch of tannin remaining to frame the wine

4/18/2021 - Edclr Likes this wine:

Wow!!

3/13/2021 - KristianT Likes this wine:

Served blind. Exceptional aroma - very elegant. First instinct was a Bordeaux as the structure and elegance took me in that direction. Perfectly mature and balanced. After a bit of air it does show more spice and peppery notes. A truly great bottle of wine 🍷

12/15/2020 - Jeff Leve wrote:

In a good spot, the wine serves up plenty of smoky red fruits, olivers, pepper and herbs. Soft, developed, medium-bodied and sweet, this is ready to go.

7/23/2020 - Burgundy Al wrote:

Krug Grande Cuvée: Many Editions (Park Ridge Country Club): Corky

5/10/2020 - LW31 wrote:

This did not impress for the vineyard. Lovely classic nose at first opening but it was relatively linear in glass, drying on the end (all that oak they used), and got acidic over an hour plus. Never blossomed or showed complexity it should.

2/18/2020 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:

Commanderie des Costes du Rhone - JM Gerin Dinner (Knickerbocker Club): My WOTN but perhaps because I appreciate the extra depth that a wine can get with some age and this was the oldest we had by a bit. Interesting because the younger version of this wine came across to me as very fruit forward. This still had that fruit which I appreciated but much more in balance and the brine was just starting to come through more. Drinking very nicely.

2/18/2020 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:

Commanderie des Costes du Rhone - JM Gerin Dinner (Knickerbocker Club): This was quite different than the other styles. Much more fruit forward and almost a hint of dark blackberry jam although without the sugar in the style. Very accessible but the fruit surprised me. I really liked the older version of this which had the same fruit but had mellowed into some more secondary notes as well.

12/22/2019 - Bobhelge wrote:

The New Traditional December 22 Tasting (Anders place): Was not familiar with Jean-Michel so this was a really nice introduction. More on the oaky side of the Cote-Rotie’s that I am just to. But the oak is perfectly laid over a pool of complex aromas that you digg a bit to reveal. The oak itself feels like a Bordeaux with the age. Silky vail of almond, soft and round on the nose. Juniper and blackcurrant. Anise on the finish.

10/14/2019 - salil wrote:

Love the aromatics here - really bright and pretty red fruit at the foreground with some darker berried and plummy flavours emerging with more air, and more savoury earthy and bacony notes in the background. There's some oak spice apparent too, but the oak isn't overwhelming and while it's a slightly more modern expression of Cote-Rotie, it still comes across nicely balanced and not overdone. There's some astringency on the finish that others attributed to wood tannins, but I wonder if the palate here is just fading a bit after 18 years...

8/5/2019 - Jeff Leve wrote:

At peak, the nose with its olives, herbs, smoke and red fruits does not tell the entire story as the nose is almost quiet. The wine is best on the lush, soft, opulent, silky, kirsch and cherry-filled palate. The wine is a very textural experience. There is no reason for further aging.

3/30/2019 - Bordeaux_Jon Does not like this wine:

This wine lives up to the controversy surrounding 2003. I've found the modernist producers who are over-extracting to have failed to make long lived wines in 2003. Though not nearly as bad as the 2003 Domaine des Rémizières Hermitage l'Essential, this wine, though fruity, seemed to be fading. The nose reminded me of a Barolo from a hot year, red fruit, a little floral, but soft and muddled. The palate started structure but got defused. With air, balsamic soy notes showed up and detracted from the experience. I did not try these 2003s when they were younger and I could imagine they were better but they did not age well. Other traditional producers who likely pick earlier and don't try to over do it seem to have fared better. I've had good bottles from August Clape, Ogier, and Marc Sorrel, though even in those cases, the wines are more fruit forward and less spicy and meaty than other vintages.

3/12/2019 - Edclr Likes this wine:

love this wine. Had alongside 2 Grand Cru Burgundies, 2000 vintage, and the flavor profile was very similar, although this was a much heavier wine.

3/9/2019 - JulianW wrote:

3 hrs out of the cellar, decanted (lots of sediment) 30 minutes before drinking. Very clear garnet, slightly softening /orange at the rim. Nose delicate warm strawberry’s and red fruits. On the palate same delicacy, lots of acidity, red fruit and strawberries, tannins very fine but structure still there. Seems to lack length but the memories of an incredibly balanced and enjoyable wine stays. My wife, ex trade, who has largely stopped drinking red said this is a wine that would bring her back. Really enjoyed this not sure why I’m not scoring it higher but somehow it lacks presence.

2/1/2019 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:

La Tablee: Seminar Terroirs of Cote Rotie (Daniel): This was a more intense wine than some of the others. Even just a touch alcoholic. Velvet in a glass. Lots of cracked black pepper. Again more dark fruits. Vines from 1989. Very steep and all schist soil. A bit less approachable than some of the others this early. Needs a bit more time.

12/1/2018 - d'Artagnan wrote:

Souper chez Stéphanie et Jean-Charles: Un nez qui pinotte, avec des arômes de cerises et sous-bois. Une belle bouche puissante et longue, avec une finale parfumée. C’est charmeur et complexe, avec belle longueur. Il offre une complexité et une finesse de grand crû. Grand vin. 94-95 pts

12/1/2018 - Mazy Likes this wine:

Soirée française entre amis: À l'aveugle, on cherche beaucoup car le vin est à point, les tannins fondus, la robe légèrement tuilée. Un peu de lie qui ne gêne pas toutefois. Difficile de départager Rive droite de Bordeaux, Côte d'Or et Rhône nord à ce stade mais on s'entend pour dire que c'est bon, vraiment bon. De texture élégante, les arômes de cuir et de terre humide, une belle finale. Beaucoup d'émotion au dévoilement de ce vin de 18 ans.

11/23/2018 - ttholst wrote:

Drukket over 2 timer. "Mørk" , men frisk, lett moden lukt og smak av mørke bær, liljer, brune krydder fra midtøsten og langtidsmodnet rødt kjøtt. Vinen oppleves som kjølig i nesa og munnen. Frukten er elegant, med syre som gir god balanse. I starten var tannin knapt merkbart og jeg synes vinen var sjarmerende, men uten nok ryggrad og kompleksitet. Etter en time i karaffel kom struktur og kompleksitet snikende og vinen strammet seg opp. Om en vin kunne rope hadde denne ropt etter lettstekt, blodig reinkjøtt.

10/27/2018 - Morrisson Likes this wine:

Une belle landonne bien équilibrée et dans la finesse. La trame d’acidite Est encore belle. J’imagine qu’il pourrait encore gagné en amplitude. Il était d’ailleurs encore un peu fermé malgré plus de 2 heures dans le décanteur. Sur le nez nous avons un beau mélange d’epice, un peu peu de fumé. Les murs et framboise dominait en bouche.

10/9/2018 - golf and wine wrote:

Opened last Saturday during UFC fight night at Godstein's. It was such a beautiful departure from the big cali cabs opened early on. Bottle was in good shape. My first non-Guigal La La and I was very pleased how good it was. The age allowed all of the secondary flavors to shine. Good fruit, good acidity, great wine.

9/27/2018 - Ericsson wrote:

Superbe! Ouvert 60 minutes puis servi dans de très grands verres.
Couleur carmin grenat avec quelques faibles traces d’évolution sur les bords.
Arômes d’épices très prononcés, puis fleurs, fruits rouges, nez très parfumé.
En bouche, l’expression main de fer dans un gant de velours vient tout de suite à l’esprit. Puissant mais avec de la finesse, il a commencé à intégrer l’élevage. Les tanins sont polis et la finale longue.
Encore 90 minutes dans le verre et les dernières gorgées sont les meilleures.
Moitié moins chère que La Landonne de Guigal (que j’adore) mais certainement pas moitié moins bonne!
Je trouve que cette bouteille se buvait particulièrement bien et je pense qu’elle durera encore 10 ans facilement.
94+

6/14/2018 - Lord of the Bottles Likes this wine:

At West London Wine School's 2007 Rhone Superstar Tasting. Clear bright garnet with no bricking unlike the Chapoutier. Cinnamon and dark chocolate nose along with smoked meat. Cinnamon, red fruit, raspberry liquer, chocolate and a 30-40 second finish. Beautiful wine if a bit opulent for some of the tasters in the room, still my red WOTN. 94

5/20/2018 - ClosDuParadis wrote:

Opened the bottle 4 hours in advance. Good smell from the (Burgundy)glass: perfume of peony and pomegranate, very light black pepper, some rasperry.
The mouth is not (yet) as seductive as the nose. Finish is still a bit dry.
The wine is unfiltered and opaque
Second half of the bottle ( under vacuum) on the third day is showing much more aromas: still peony, musk, tobacco. Very dense and soft mouthfeel.
The (relativ) disappointment from day one is forgotten.
Next bottle will be openend in 4 years. I expect the musk and rose aromas to become more prominent.
Excellent smooth and elegant C-R.

3/24/2018 - Sen4469 Likes this wine:

Nice mature wine. Very enjoyable. Great for the next 5-10 years.

2/11/2018 - asteff Likes this wine:

Enjoyable dark and red fruits, minerals and high-toned acidity.

2/7/2018 - Alex G. Likes this wine:

Classic Northern Rhone, white pepper, smoked meat, plum. This is really good juice, still on the upswing - hold off opening these if you have the discipline.

6/2/2017 - Jeff Leve wrote:

Forward, medium bodied and surprisingly drinkable, if not mature at 10 years of age, this is a wine to drink now and over the next 5 years or so. You want to catch all the earthy, black raspberries, pepper and smoke before it fades.

2/22/2017 - Alex G. Likes this wine:

Smoke and bacon on the first whiff, tannins were prominent but tame. Evolved substantially after 45 minutes, becoming more elegant. Ripe fruit and exotic spice, excellent mouthfeel, and a finish that became progressively more interesting. Well stored bottles are beautiful now, and should continue to evolve for a decade or two.

2/3/2017 - jkoenen wrote:

Elegance and power. Fruit and barnyard. Refreshing acidity and deep complexity. This wine scores its points on its wxquisite balance. First time, a great first impression, so: Nice to meet you, Mr. Gérin!

2/3/2017 - Zweder wrote:

Game dinner with friends Champagne and Northern Rhône: The bouquet is a bit rustic with dark forest fruits, cherries, earth and autumn impressions. On the palate juicy red and dark berries, beautiful acidity and a great length. This wine is at its peak now, complex and very well balanced. A treat!

10/31/2016 - Jeff Leve wrote:

Deep in color, with concentration, density, richness and ripe, dark fruits. There was no heat, or any sensation of over ripe flavors. Just pure fruits, silky, lush, juicy, fat textures and a long finish.

3/27/2016 - eoinhharkins Likes this wine:

Wow, even though I am generally not a fan of 03 northern rhones this was singing today loads of florals, dark red berries, spices, wild game, really smooth mouth feel, that while juicy is extremely fresh and persistent .... Wish I had more allot more

12/29/2015 - mdonovan wrote:

Carafée 1h20 et bue sur un chapon.
Couleur rouge sombre, nez discret, belle longueur et quelques aromes de fruits rouges mais peu expressif.
Le lendemain (après etre resté dans la carafe toute la nuit) : bouche beaucoup plus expressive et complexe, note d'épices et de tabac en plus notamment.
Vin à attendre 3 à 5 ans au moins.

12/1/2015 - Yagil wrote:

Northern Rhone tasting (at Eli Raban's home, Rehovot): dark red-brown
subtle elegant dark fruits and spicy aromas with hints of earthiness seems to be closed even after few hours after double decanting
similarly on the palate , red fruits flavours, spices, graphite, medium bodied, soft firm tannins, balanced acidity; fine elegant structure & complexity, mid-length finish.
should be opened 12 hours in advance.
tasted neck to neck with 2004 M. Gerin Cote Rotie Les Grandes Places which was a bit better

9/20/2015 - Morrisson Likes this wine:

Superbe vin avec énormément de complexité. Grande longueur en bouche. Poivre, confiture de mûre/framboise. Belle fraicheur en bouche. Très agréable à boire mais encore un beau potentiel de vieillissement.

7/24/2015 - Harley1199 Likes this wine:

Finishing Contract Lunch (Restaurante Cuenllas - Madrid): Aspiring to greatness. I guess if it was too young to be enjoyed right now in spite those 12.8 ABV only.
Aromas of thyme and rosemary dominate the nose when you were expecting cinnamon and clove 'cause its aristocratic origin.
Well-balanced on the palate yet shortie and excessively dry (wood). Really pleasant after all. The last drink, the best one.

Qué cerquita de la grandeza. Es para adivinar si simplemente era muy joven para ser disfrutada ahora a pesar de esa delgada estructura soportada por sólo unos 12.8 grados.
En nariz dominan los aromas a romero y a tomillo cuando lo que realmente esperas son especias como la canela o el clavo por su indudable origen aristocrático.
Bien equilibrada en boca aunque cortita y quizás excesivamente secante (esa madera). Muy amable de todas formas. El último trago, el mejor.

7/3/2015 - smphelps wrote:

Dark, nearly purple. Decant. Quit a mineral nose with slate, graphite, mushroom, moss, along with cherry plums. Rich, complex, and beguiling wine with prominent elements of black pepper on the palate to compliment the nose. Medium long finish.

6/14/2015 - mclancy10006 Likes this wine:

This a fantastic wine right now. First time trying this producer but know the vineyard well enough to say this does it justice.