Community Tasting Notes 7

• forceberry wrote: 90 points

  July 22, 2023 - 100% Syrah from 25 to 60 yo vineyards in Crozes-Hermitage. All the parcels are vinified separately over 15 days in concrete tanks and oak vats. Aged in new oak barrels (50%) and demi-muids or used, neutral oak barrels (50%) for 18 months. 13% alcohol.
  
  Dark, almost fully opaque blackish-red color with a purplish hue. The nose feels dark-toned, somewhat sweet-toned and a bit polished with rich aromas of juicy blackberries, some crushed peppercorns, a little bit of toasty oak spice, light ripe raspberry nuances, a hint of inky character and a faint creamy touch of diacetyl. The wine feels ripe, dense and juicy on the palate with a medium-to-moderately full body and dark-toned flavors of succulent blackberries, some crushed peppercorns, a little bit of gamey meat, light toasty notes of sweet mocha oak, crunchy hints of chokeberries and fresh black raspberries and a ferrous touch of blood. The wine is wonderfully high in acidity with the firm medium-plus tannins bringing additional grip and structure to the mouthfeel. The finish is dry, crunchy and moderately grippy with a long, juicy aftertaste of ripe blackberries and brambly black raspberries, some ferrous notes of blood, a little bit of gravelly minerality, light peppery tones, a hint of tart chokeberry and a toasty touch of sweet mocha oak.
  
  A surprisingly fresh, firm and crunchy effort for a 2015 Northern Rhône, showing great sense of precision and acidity. The overall feel is still rather toasty and oaky, but based on how relatively little age the wine shows now, at 8 years of age, I can imagine the wine will continue to age effortlessly for many years more. Although the wine probably won't be shedding all its oak, no matter how long it is aged, I can still imagine the sweeter and more toasty notes will integrate with the fruit over time. Although maybe a bit too modern and polished for my preference at the moment, I expect this wine will much better at 15 years of age. However, I still wish the producer would make the wines with less oak influence - I feel there's a terrific wine underneath, but the sweet and toasty mocha oak tones don't really complement that.

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• Bakerbd Likes this wine: 93 points

  April 20, 2023 - Ripe blackberry, black cherry, leather, mineral, layered and long

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• HolyBejeesus Likes this wine: 92 points

  June 7, 2020 - In general I find myself gravitating away from French wines, but I thoroughly enjoyed this medium-bodied Rhone Syrah. Enjoyed some on its own and then had a glass with some pizza which proved a great matching as this is a food-friendly style. Jammy cherry flavors linger on, giving way to that classic minerality you find in this type of wine. I'd like to get my hands on some more to hold for a while before drinking.

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• rc@ughey wrote: 89 points

  April 5, 2020 - More shut down and compact than my previous bottle, but this is still tasty and an exceptional value. Will improve.

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• billynorris Likes this wine: 91 points

  July 10, 2019 - A little shut down at this phase, but shows tons of potential. Lots of structure to speak of, and the fruit is brooding just below the surface.

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Pro Reviews 1

Wine Definition

• Vintage 2015
• Type Red
• Producer Emmanuel Darnaud
• Varietal Syrah
• Designation Au Fil du Temps
• Vineyard n/a
• Country France
• Region Rhône
• SubRegion Northern Rhône
• Appellation Crozes-Hermitage
• UPC Code 091882493332

Community Holdings

• Pending Delivery 3 (2%)
• In Cellars 93 (59%)
• Consumed 62 (39%)

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