Much better in bottle than when I tasted from the barrel in May last year. Back then it was green and mean with extremely harsh tannins. One year later this ugly duckling has completely transformed. Opens reductive, showing massive chocolate notes that I don’t prefer. Given some air, the classic Gonon blue fruit and violet aromas emerge. After 2 hours in carafe, the wine opens on the palate. Really beautiful acidity coupled with low alcohol (12.5%) and a saline streak makes for an extremely fresh Northern Rhone. That said, it is still unmistakably Rhone. Not ready yet, but if you must, decant ahead of time to avoid disappointment.
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Because the '21 Pierre Gonon Ardèche Les Iles Feray was so compelling, I popped this open soon after.
It was a mistake. Do not follow my lemming trail. This has not come together.
I'm honestly not sure of the bones here ('21 was a tough vintage), but it's not worth opening now for the current pleasure available, so hold 'em if you got 'em and cross your fingers.
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Another lovely rendition. This was popped and poured. Rather fruit driven, definitely some olive brine but minimal volatility and somewhat soft structure. This is going to be a great vintage to drink early while more brooding years mature.
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Two weeks in France; 4/12/2024-4/24/2024: Similar impressions to when I had this with Pierre at POB HK. A more approachable vintage that showed the usual Gonon elegance and restraint, combined with the classic northern rhone markers of blue fruit and savoury olive notes.
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By the bottle at Le Mermoz in Paris. Definitely way too young but actually with a little decanting quite drinkable already. Nose is lovely, savory black olive notes, plums, black pepper, hint of cherry jam. Palate is fresh, drinkable, lighter bodied, more black olive, brine, violets, cherries, savory herbs, earth. This is wonderful now but I think it would be truly excellent in 10-12 years. But hey, drink it if you can afford it that’s my motto : )
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Nez leger de fruits noirs et encens, mûr... Fruits noirs, leger tannin, très frais, manque un peu de longueur, belle concentration et tannins graineux, bien fait!
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Very fine, medium-intense nose with red fruits (cherry, some blackberry), black olives, black pepper and menthol. At the end a fine smell of hung meat. Very nice!
Very elegant, light on the palate. There are bright, red fruits (sour cherry, raspberries). There are also olives, peppery notes and game meat on the palate. The acidity is fresh, yet blends in harmoniously. The tannins are ample and fine.
The wine of vintage 21 differs from vintage 15 less in its aroma than in its structure. 15 was dense, multi-layered and powerful, whereas 21 is light and delicate. I assume that the wine of vintage 21 is more predestined for earlier consumption. I liked the wine very much and the only 12.5% alcohol was very pleasant.
Je peux confirmer ma note d’il y a 7 mois, jolie Syrah, expressive, légère et digeste, poivre blanc, framboises, violettes, olives vertes. Une finale très légèrement amère me fait penser à la vendange entière (?) Poids moyen qu’il ne servira à rien de vouloir attendre trop longtemps, surtout que le vin est déjà très expressif.
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It was immediately expressive, with a nose of dried flowers, red fruits, black olive and menthol. It was fine and lacy, showing detail and precision, and whilst just medium of body, has such great presence. The finish is fresh, vital and persistent.
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Not as big as the 20 this week but still very expressive with fine balance. Leaner in body than last few vintages but doesn't lack in character. Great purity of fruit with a Gonon wildness, intense perfume, and stand out personality.
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Comme d’habitude, j’ai eu envie de goûter ce vin livré il y a quelques semaines. Robe prune à reflets violacés, arômes sur le poivre blanc, les violettes, les framboises. En bouche, poids plutôt moyen, relativement peu d’alcool, fin et digeste. Agréable dès sa jeunesse, je le vois s’exprimer surtout sur les 10 prochaines années.
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At the estate, read comment over 2020 to have full explanation of the visit and flight. :)
This is the baby wine, but it is ready in the tank, blended and will be bottled in March.
2021 was a " classic " vintage, with much more water and "milder" temperatures so it has this less ripe very peppery style. More acid, less body, etc...
Nose of MIOA with spices, pepper, cloves, fresh crushed black pepper, like pepper steak ones... Much on those primary spicy character.
Palate is M Body, M Alcohol, M+ Acidity, its zingy and very vertical, linear, less layered than 2020 for example. But it has a vibrant and fresh palate, full of aromas of spices, black pepper, cloves and still the more ashes, sooth finish. M+ Length
Very good classic St Joesph, reminding of 2011, 2014 in a way ... for the haul ! It will gain complexity and soften its more fresh and acidic style.
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5/2/2024 - chngpw Likes this wine: 92 Points
Much better in bottle than when I tasted from the barrel in May last year. Back then it was green and mean with extremely harsh tannins. One year later this ugly duckling has completely transformed. Opens reductive, showing massive chocolate notes that I don’t prefer. Given some air, the classic Gonon blue fruit and violet aromas emerge. After 2 hours in carafe, the wine opens on the palate. Really beautiful acidity coupled with low alcohol (12.5%) and a saline streak makes for an extremely fresh Northern Rhone. That said, it is still unmistakably Rhone. Not ready yet, but if you must, decant ahead of time to avoid disappointment.
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4/15/2024 - Floral Does not like this wine: 80 Points
Because the '21 Pierre Gonon Ardèche Les Iles Feray was so compelling, I popped this open soon after.
It was a mistake. Do not follow my lemming trail. This has not come together.
I'm honestly not sure of the bones here ('21 was a tough vintage), but it's not worth opening now for the current pleasure available, so hold 'em if you got 'em and cross your fingers.
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4/15/2024 - jviz Likes this wine: 93 Points
Another lovely rendition. This was popped and poured. Rather fruit driven, definitely some olive brine but minimal volatility and somewhat soft structure. This is going to be a great vintage to drink early while more brooding years mature.
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4/12/2024 - melvinyeowq wrote: 92 Points
Two weeks in France; 4/12/2024-4/24/2024: Similar impressions to when I had this with Pierre at POB HK. A more approachable vintage that showed the usual Gonon elegance and restraint, combined with the classic northern rhone markers of blue fruit and savoury olive notes.
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2/16/2024 - mattym19 Likes this wine: 92 Points
By the bottle at Le Mermoz in Paris. Definitely way too young but actually with a little decanting quite drinkable already. Nose is lovely, savory black olive notes, plums, black pepper, hint of cherry jam. Palate is fresh, drinkable, lighter bodied, more black olive, brine, violets, cherries, savory herbs, earth. This is wonderful now but I think it would be truly excellent in 10-12 years. But hey, drink it if you can afford it that’s my motto : )
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2/15/2024 - Philippe_C wrote: 91 Points
Nez leger de fruits noirs et encens, mûr... Fruits noirs, leger tannin, très frais, manque un peu de longueur, belle concentration et tannins graineux, bien fait!
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1/25/2024 - Nora123 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very fine, medium-intense nose with red fruits (cherry, some blackberry), black olives, black pepper and menthol. At the end a fine smell of hung meat. Very nice!
Very elegant, light on the palate. There are bright, red fruits (sour cherry, raspberries). There are also olives, peppery notes and game meat on the palate. The acidity is fresh, yet blends in harmoniously. The tannins are ample and fine.
The wine of vintage 21 differs from vintage 15 less in its aroma than in its structure. 15 was dense, multi-layered and powerful, whereas 21 is light and delicate. I assume that the wine of vintage 21 is more predestined for earlier consumption. I liked the wine very much and the only 12.5% alcohol was very pleasant.
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1/18/2024 - melvinyeowq wrote:
Pearl of Burgundy 2022 EP tasting: Clearly from a cooler, more restrained vintage compared to the 2020. Quite approachable for a Gonon.
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1/18/2024 - fcxj wrote: 92 Points
Purple hue, balanced and fresh. Natural wine feel.
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12/30/2023 - Ericsson Likes this wine: 91 Points
Je peux confirmer ma note d’il y a 7 mois, jolie Syrah, expressive, légère et digeste, poivre blanc, framboises, violettes, olives vertes.
Une finale très légèrement amère me fait penser à la vendange entière (?)
Poids moyen qu’il ne servira à rien de vouloir attendre trop longtemps, surtout que le vin est déjà très expressif.
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10/10/2023 - Jeremy Holmes wrote:
It was immediately expressive, with a nose of dried flowers, red fruits, black olive and menthol. It was fine and lacy, showing detail and precision, and whilst just medium of body, has such great presence. The finish is fresh, vital and persistent.
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8/11/2023 - The Guzz Likes this wine: 93 Points
Not as big as the 20 this week but still very expressive with fine balance. Leaner in body than last few vintages but doesn't lack in character. Great purity of fruit with a Gonon wildness, intense perfume, and stand out personality.
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5/4/2023 - Ericsson Likes this wine:
Comme d’habitude, j’ai eu envie de goûter ce vin livré il y a quelques semaines.
Robe prune à reflets violacés, arômes sur le poivre blanc, les violettes, les framboises.
En bouche, poids plutôt moyen, relativement peu d’alcool, fin et digeste.
Agréable dès sa jeunesse, je le vois s’exprimer surtout sur les 10 prochaines années.
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2/21/2023 - Stanrocks Likes this wine: 92 Points
91/93
At the estate, read comment over 2020 to have full explanation of the visit and flight. :)
This is the baby wine, but it is ready in the tank, blended and will be bottled in March.
2021 was a " classic " vintage, with much more water and "milder" temperatures so it has this less ripe very peppery style. More acid, less body, etc...
Nose of MIOA with spices, pepper, cloves, fresh crushed black pepper, like pepper steak ones... Much on those primary spicy character.
Palate is M Body, M Alcohol, M+ Acidity, its zingy and very vertical, linear, less layered than 2020 for example. But it has a vibrant and fresh palate, full of aromas of spices, black pepper, cloves and still the more ashes, sooth finish. M+ Length
Very good classic St Joesph, reminding of 2011, 2014 in a way ... for the haul ! It will gain complexity and soften its more fresh and acidic style.
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