February 17, 2024 - Excellent
Sometimes I get the benefit of purchasing too much wine and having an overflowing cellar. In this case, a wine from an unheralded vintage from an unheralded appellation. Purchased a couple of bottles eight years ago after tasting at a producer pouring, I had the first bottle five years ago and wrote "Hold the other bottle for 3-4 years to see what happens against the advice of the CT drinking window?"
Well, it worked out! I was looking for something to pair with a vegan (bean-based) marbella that includes olives, dates, capers, red wine and a bit of marinated red pepper. I knew I wanted a cool climate, typical N. Rhone Syrah and as soon as I opened this I knew I had a winner. Opens up a bit wild. Scarce notes, but the first was "So Typical!" Smokey, savory, salty even, yes there's green olive, a bit mineral, too. Ah, yes, classic.
Importer: Chambers & Chambers (SF)
13% abv
Empty bottle weight: 569g
January 13, 2024 - Northern Rhone night: Similar to my previous experiences, rather foursquare and tasted a little over-the-hill on opening, but improved with time in the glass.
November 23, 2023 - last night in Paris wine...looking forward to my last bottle in '24
November 22, 2023 - still a well balanced and fruit forward wine. Enjoyed with PM cheese/bread
August 8, 2023 - J'avais le souvenir d'une bouteille de ce millésime que j'avais trouvé plutôt moyenne et j'ai été agréablement surpris. Un nez sympa, en bouche il y a une certaine acidité qui est assez marquée mais les parfums de syrah sont bien la et le vin est expressif et finalement bien agréable.
14/20
July 31, 2023 - Un vin un peu faible sur ce millésime compliqué. Un peu d'acidité, il manque un peu de matière... son apogée est peut-etre passée également.
C'est moyen et pas vraiment au niveau de ce que le grand maitre arrivait a faire.
13/20
July 28, 2023 - This was very stoic and slow to reveal itself on day 1, but on day 3 WOW!! Blackberry, plum, olives, shoe leather, herbs, and violets on the nose and palate. Great weight throughout and just enough presence of tannins to add texture to the palate. Deep, yet elegant Syrah! Drink or hold, this is in good shape.
July 14, 2023 - Mainly champagnes with hotpot: Brought as an extra. Slightly advanced for its age with some bricking. Nose was very much northern Rhône with some stem and white pepper notes. Soft but fading, dusty raspberry fruit on the palate. Thought the 2019 I had was much more impressive, weaker vintage at work here?
June 9, 2023 - Did I say I drank my last bottle? Apparently not, because I pulled this bottle from our cellar after my initial choice with dinner was corked. Still going strong with plenty of dark fruit, but now gaining more savory character. Plenty of meaty and earthy goodness. This has 3-5 more years of life in it, especially if it comes from a cold cellar .
May 7, 2023 - Drinking very well at the moment!