December 26, 2023 - Perfect aged Hermitage from magnum. All the right notes. In the zone. Unlike better BDX from this era, the corks are starting to be soaked about 1/3rd. So enjoy over the next decade.
October 27, 2023 - Northern Rhone Dinner (2012/2005/1998 focus) (Chez Lagragne): Super interesting and evolved aromas of mature, bloody black fruit laced with herbs and meatiness. Rustic palate with some grittiness and brininess that all hangs together quite nicely.
October 27, 2023 - (Mostly) 1998, 2005, 2012 Northern Rhône (Chicago, IL): An excellent bottle, and I think it certainly held its own in pretty tough company. More rustic than the Chave, but with lovely aromatics. More driven by acid and structure than Chave, yet fully approachable now. Overall this doesn't feel like it'll have as long a life, but for drinking now, this is amply good.
October 20, 2023 - A bouquet to enjoy, full of interest. Aromas of dusty ground, spice and anise, dried red fruits and flowers, white pepper. Palate gentle but lively. Cote Rotie like with its suppleness and the sweet echo of its fruit.
March 3, 2023 - Kaboom! What a fantastic wine. The fourth of a stash of four sniped at Acker a few years ago, and by far the best. With just a bit of air this is explosively fragrant - floral and smoky, fruitcake spice, a little brett, just awesome - and equally sweet and flavorful, palate-coating with some sinewy/chewy tannins framing everything on the finish. Simply outstanding. I love 1998 in the Northern Rhone.
November 28, 2021 - Delicious. Silky sweet fruit with a long finish. In a lovely drinking window. From magnum. Quick double decant for sediment. 13.5% alc.
July 25, 2021 - Drink up. L thought it tasted best in 24/12 having drunk 5 bottles over last 3 years.
May 19, 2021 - Return to La Trompette (La Trompette, Chiswick): Medium/deep garnet. Deep and meaty nose, yet aromatic too. Black pepper. Medium/full bodied, quite soft and luxurious on the palate, meaty dark fruit, black pepper, lovely fresh acidity, long. Outstanding, ready.
March 29, 2021 - As good as always, combining the power of Hermitage with lovely floral bouquet and good complexity. Good development now but can certainly keep for years. 16.5/20
February 27, 2021 - Opened 5+ hours in advance. Just beautiful. Poetry in a glass. No rush, but don’t think it will get any better with additional age.