August 3, 2023 - This wine had a LOT going on, and drank wonderfully, although I'm not sure how much more would do for it. An evolving nose that began with fruit but went into smoke was a hint of how nice the wine would be. A salty intro, with fruit underneath, but a muscular leather saddle backbone on day 1, it evolved with air and brought out more of the fruit, but also some pleasant medicinal notes in concert with a little bit of funk, smoke, and baking spice. A lot going on here, very much for the complex palate but no less good with food - enjoyed with lamb loin chops, as well as with shawarma. Was a treat!
May 22, 2023 - Drinking as a Fantastic Cote Rotie. Love this wine at this stage. Bravo.
June 10, 2020 - Alas, this was my last bottle. I don’t think they make this wine anymore because they couldn’t give it away in the beginning, and it was a financial disaster ever since. Truly a shame because this wine is majestic. Tonight, this wine is as flamboyant as Cote Rotie at it’s best. It doesn’t have the power of great Hermitage, but what it lacks in force, it more than makes up with dexterity. Mushroom and earth combine with band-aids and bacon. Fragrant and beautiful.
March 10, 2020 - Amazing. Actually better than any Syrah I’ve had from the northern Rhône in recent memory. Côte Rotie aromatics built on a Côte de Nuits frame. Herbal nose that borders on pungent fades into a savory and fruity taste.
November 1, 2019 - This is the best of the trio of 07, 08 & 09, and I liked the other two a lot. This one has every bit as much of the animalistic smokiness of past vintages but it also has a richness that the others didn’t. Hoisin, band-aids and savory herbs are the dominant characteristics right now. Sort of reminds me of a softer Hermitage, or the vinous equivalent of an Islay scotch.
June 29, 2018 - More interesting than tasty. Savory and with olives and an uplifting, floral brightness, assuming from the viognier - however the syrah fruit has a dried out and twiggy aspect that isn't so appealing to me.
December 9, 2017 - Dark cherry & ripe strawberry, molasses, caramel, earthy with spice, chewy tannins, long finish
March 7, 2017 - Slight bricking but still dark/inky in color. Peppery/savory on the nose, fresh and juicy on the palate. Slight hint of oak but well balanced. Really enjoyable, great to drink now
December 30, 2016 - Insane aromatics with loads of smoke, bacon, green olive and savory jerky meat. Palate is light-to-medium bodied with great, energetic light-weight fruit and fresh acids. The fruit concentration is only moderate but the intensity and complexity more than compensates. Unique stuff.
September 29, 2016 - Nice nose. Dry subdued fruit. Nice acidity and finish. Well short of peak.