March 20, 2022 - When these wines get this old, even though they dont have great long finishes, they are just so delicious that I ignore how long it lasts going down. absolute classic old rhone characteristics.
November 8, 2020 - This has the most stunning Cote Rotie nose imaginable with notes of smoked meats, violets and char. Does it deliver on the palate? Not quite but I wonder what this wine will be like 40 years after the vintage rather than 20. Rather high-toned with crisp acidity and tart tannins but the flavors underneath are fabulous with notes of smoked game, char, violet spice and graphite minerals. 92?
December 1, 2017 - Beautiful nose of smoky dark cherry along with black pepper and char. High-toned and still fresh on the palate with crunchy, spicy black cherry fruit and a savory bullion character. Plenty of acidity and crispness but balanced out by the perfumy fruit. Finishes tangy and juicy with complex notes of hung game, smoldering fire, black olives and exotic spices. Delicious and authentic juice but I get that you have to like this style of wine which is a little extreme. Plenty of life ahead.
August 24, 2016 - Dinner at Osteria Langhe (Chicago, IL): I don't know what it is with me and the Gerin Grandes Places, but this and the 2004 I had a few months back were quite underwhelming wines (and in similar ways). The nose on this is much, much better than the palate, with tons of olives and an alluring spice note. But it all falls apart when you taste it -- the wine is really disjointed and it's mostly marred by a random streak of acidity that doesn't really do anything. On top of that, this is just a bit thin and stemmy, and there's not much meat on the bones.
January 5, 2016 - Très différente de la précédente goûtée il y a un mois (un fond de verre, sur le fruit, beaucoup de finesse) tant celle-ci s'est montrée impétueuse, sur le cuir, kirschée (presque térébenthine), animale, sanguine et réglissée. La bouche est tendue, le cuir revient, avec en finale une acidité assez vigoureuse, et le cuir qui s'éternise... Un grand vin de repas à accorder avec un plat qui le domptera sans l'éteindre: un filet de gibier (cerf, sanglier....?), voire un civet?
Assez long qui plus est.
October 31, 2013 - Coravin'd over the course of a week -- wine was fairly consistent each day. Still young. Tons of sediment in this big and heavy wine -- decanting is a must. Unlike others' notes here, I got big oak notes wrapped around big 'ol, mouth-puckering tannins. Dark berries, smoke, cocoa, and black pepper were pronounced and nice, but the tart acidity throws off balance. Slightly tangy/sour finish...
April 20, 2013 - Really love this juice but it is drinking young. High-toned with deep blue and purple fruits with hints of pepper, spice and smoke. A beautiful silky/lacy texture. Finishes tangy with complex spices and a strong mineral edge. Needs more time.
July 15, 2012 - Beautiful wine. Just slightly fading away from dark ruby color, signs of age at the rim. Nose is still quite youthful. It's still plein des violettes et des mures. Smoke. Starting to develop a feral, meaty bit. Tannins are pretty substantial but not at all unpleasant on the palate. Quite rich, at least medium-full bodied. Finish is LONG. LONG. This is really, really nice and built to go. At least ten years ahead of this but if you like primary fruit, maybe have it in the next two or three.
June 2, 2012 - Beautiful floral nose of violets and smoky blueberries. So fresh and succulent with a wonderful silky texture and great smoky blueberry fruit with hints of floral spice. Still quite young with firm acidity and lacy tannins but it drinks beautifully today with food and the finish is spicy and complex. Another 5 years and this should be special. 93+
May 16, 2009 - Decanted for 2 hours. Expressive nose, bacon fat is there, white chocolate, pomegranate, and rust. Medium bodied wine, lively, with pomegranate, blood orange, cranberry, minerals, high toned with prominent acidity. Very good length and slightly sour finish. Lots of sediment, seems a very "natural" wine, don't get any oak notes. Does this wine see new oak? Excellent with chicken cordon bleu. I think this wine may improve with additional aging as long as the acidity doesn't take over.