January 5, 2022 - I was hoping, reading latest reviews, that this has progressed. Sadly same score as last time plus a point for better integration of the acidity . Fairly thin and little depth here, but all in all ok drink by now. I hope my cote roties from this vintage also improved somewhat.
Once beyond the lack of depth, I get caramel and some earth. For some reason it reminds me of Oregon Pinot. Weird…
May 2, 2021 - This is pretty amazing stuff for the vintage and in fact better than the bottle tasted a few years ago. Yes, it is lighter in style, richness and impact when compared to other wines / vintages from Allemand. But all the hallmark flavor notes are there: red fruit, smoked meat, pepper and herbs. This really is Rhone in a burgundy disguise. What’s so impressive about this bottle is how well it finishes. Bravo. (91)
October 12, 2017 - Producer, not vintage. No Chaillot or Reynard in 02 so those grapes went in here. A booming nose that was fairly stalky buthad so much more to offer - rich and deep red berries, bacon and bacon fat, green and black olives. The aromatics were incredible and trademark Allemand. Loads of complexity in this wine. Very good effort for 2002 and plenty of life left.
September 17, 2017 - Fine
April 24, 2017 - Pretty impressive bottle for the vintage. Pepper, dark fruits and herbs on the nose. Lean and bright palate with enough richness to make it interesting. Perfectly decent Syrah that should have cost $25 (not $75). This guy can make wine. (88)
November 19, 2014 - A good effort for the vintage but clearly not up to the level of 2008, which right now is drinking fantastic. Here we get the typical Allemand elegance and velvet mouthfeel but it is on the thin side and lacking length. Enjoyable still and fun to follow over the course of a meal.
October 2, 2014 - Didn't show quite as well as the bottle of '02 Allemand I had last month, but still a remarkable wine in the context of such a poor vintage. The aromatics are again very pretty - floral, peppery, and lightly fruited with fresh red berries and tarter green olive notes, though the palate here is rather lean and astringent, with a citric aspect to it from the sharp acidity and underripe flavours, finishing without much depth or length. Most of the pleasure here comes from the nose alone.
September 21, 2014 - This lacks that magical nose that Allemand usually delivers, and is weak in the midpalate, hollow almost. This is reported to be de-classified Reynard/Chaillot, but still, it can't overcome the vintage. Peter B. returns to NY, L’Apicio.
September 21, 2014 - Really liked this, and it's still holding up quite nicely. The aromatics are worth the price of admission - a classic Allemand scent, with savoury leathery, smoky and green olive notes mingling with higher toned floral notes and gentle red fruits beneath. The palate is on the lighter side though, not showing the same depth as the nose suggests, and feels a bit short on the finish by Allemand's usual standards, but even then this is a really elegant wine that's still drinking well.
August 1, 2013 - Clear dark ruby core with brick red hue. On the nose it shows blackcurrant, cherry and dusty barnyard note. Tart and lean entry, light bodied and high in acidity, cherry, roast herb and subtle earthy note. The tannins is almost dissolve with rather short finishing.
Fruits gradually faded after 3+ hours and left only tart acidity. A good educational experience to understand more of this wet vintage than really enjoying the wine.