June 16, 2023 - I thought that my supply was gone… but I was mistaken. Again, opened with venison tenderloin and it once again shone: thick yet balanced, savory with lots of black olive and earth, yet underlying it all is an abundance of dark berryish fruit and plenty of acidic structure. Tannins are fine grained at this point and it’s terrific with food. For those who love the tertiary characteristics of Syrah, it’s got another five years of life ahead; if instead you value fruit and freshness, drink up soon.
July 2, 2022 - Opened tonight with venison chops. It’s in a very nice place right now, with smooth tannins and still lots of dark berry fruit. Everything is well-integrated, so I expect another 5-10 years of life ahead for it. It’s so delicious now, though, that I doubt I’ll wait that long before opening my other bottle.
January 31, 2022 - Popped yesterday. On the counter unrefrigerated overnight. This is stunning today. See previous note for details, but I guess I couldn't wait 5 years, haha.
January 13, 2021 - Not so much evolution from the last btl. Need to be patient with the last btl. After 1 hr open, slow-ox, and vigorous swirling, a lovely nose slowly emerges: sweet, dark, dark, blackberry, soft charcoal and olive notes, and pure granitic minerality. On the palate: granite, fantastic acidity, sweet blackberry, grapefruit pith, perhaps a touch thinner than I would like, especially given the density the nose suggests, the finish is soft black pepper, mixed with chalky tannin. Still very much in the unfurling stage...maybe try to wait 5 more years for the next btl?
October 13, 2019 - A little under 4 yrs since my last btl. Decanted, notes from 45 min open (and lots of vigorous swirling). This wine is still slightly unyielding, but the nose is wonderful: sweet dark blackberry, very meaty, a touch of tarriness, and game. On the palate: good density, loads of sweet blackberry, fantastic acidity, thins out a bit toward the end, and leans more high-toned, but some rustic tannin rounds this out nicely. Lovely.
March 9, 2016 - Much more open for business than I expected. Very St. Jo / Northern Rhone: meat, flowers, salinity/brine. Not too heavy, but good fruit. Very nice. I didn't find the tannins overbearing. Good.
January 26, 2016 - Another fantastic bottle. Smoky, floral, herbal, briny; remarkably complex and savoury for such a young wine. Lots of tannin here, but wonderful with dinner. Thanks, Z.
December 11, 2015 - Opened this yesterday, and even after a fairly long decant it was incredibly unyielding. Poured back into the bottle and left it open on the countertop overnight, and it has transformed. If this bottle is any indication, I would go so far as to say don't drink this on day 1. Just open it up and leave it out.
I won't bother mentioning Day 1. On Day 2, this drinks nothing like any St. Joseph I've ever had. If anything, it reminds me of old vine Cornas. On the nose, intense notes of menthol and herbs, followed by gamey meat and flowers. On the palate, full bodied, showing loads of tension and dense tannic structure. Great texture and a long finish. This seems built not to be touched for 5+ years. Spectacular showing.
November 22, 2015 - Really impressive. Apparently this had been open for a full day, but it still feels incredibly youthful and primary, not to mention packed with a fair bit of tannin. But the aromatics are so compelling - smoke, lavender, black olives, and faintly meaty/leathery notes lead into a palate that feels remarkably fresh and light on its feet with powerful acidity beneath the fruit. This is all about intensity and power conveyed with barely any sense of weight, and it's a really compelling wine.
November 21, 2015 - Well gee, this is nothing like the 2012. That wine was light and graceful, open-knit and pleasing, but not apparently structured for the long haul. This is chockablock dense Syrah, scorched meat, floral notes, the whole kit. This needs some time to unwind but the material is promising.