January 1, 2023 - Rich purple starting to get an orange tinge at the edges. There was a tiny bit of sediment at the very end of the bottle, but much less than I expected for a 10 year old bottle and it was fine enough that it wasn’t wasted to the sink. Black cherry and tobacco were strongest on the nose, with a hint of menthol. Medium-bodied with flavours of red cherry, leather, cedar, tobacco, and a bit of vanilla and blueberry. This was very smooth for a Syrah, though it still had plenty of acidity and has years left in the cellar. The finishing taste of wood lasted for 10 minutes after the last drink. Another great bottle from Le Vieux Pin.
December 28, 2022 - the only consistent thing about this wine is it is underwhelming for the price and expectation. There is very little distinction here to a $25 Cotes du Rhone. Similar to previous TN.
December 24, 2022 - Well this is a great wine in a perfect place. Had w filet. All enjoyed it. Impossible to follow the prev note. AJ is tough to follow. Short story this is great time to drink!
March 18, 2021 - Inky dark red tones with very high optical density and medium specular reflectivity. On the nose, there is nice intensity and a good bit of depth. Notes of violets, beautiful dark fruits (plum, blackberry, and blueberry), spicy herbs and brush, and some light caramel and smoke. In the background, there is a savoury, meaty component (saline in quality) and cracked black pepper. Very much swirls around and evolves, showing very interesting complexity. A big nose.
On the palate, full bodied and rich, with medium acidity and integrated, rounded and ripe tannins. Dense and concentrated, there is a plush and yet firm texture here. Very broad and palate-coating, but still clean, with no astringency or syrupy character. Well balanced on the mouthfeel.
Flavours of rich dark and sweet fruit (blueberries and blackberries) hits the attack, with support from lifted violets and earthy spices. Good depth on entry. Things evolve toward midpalate in a more spicy direction, with herbs and smoky notes over a brackish background. Stays quite intense, but evolves significantly. The final transition sees some strong earth and clean leather come on, leaving an excellent length of finish. Leather, berries, spice linger, and there is some warmth without being too much.
Wow, this one is a stunner of a bottle. Perfectly balanced, deep, intense, and complex. At the perfect point for me, this has vivid fruit and freshness still, but with a great texture and structure. As well, the fruit is surrounded by earthy and spicy notes in harmony. A big, rich, almost hedonistic wine, this is a fun, elegant, New World-Old World, all-in just delicious wine. Equinox Indeed!!
January 29, 2021 - What a difference 14 months make. This wine, although extremely promising upon initial opening with fleshy evolving berry fruit on the nose was a shell of a wine one hour plus after decant. It’s nose faded to muted black fruits and dusty pepper. On the palate it was out of balance, clunky really. There was tannin and acid but no countering depth of fruit, a lack of any savoury notes and insipid alcohol. A short finish. Very poor QPR. This wasn’t a storage issue. The wine just fails to age.
April 29, 2020 - Excellent. Our fav bottle from this winery. Agree with previous. Decant first an hour
October 14, 2019 - Needs 60-90 min decant. Pronounced nose of black fruits, stewed fig and touch of balsamic. Good medium plus body. The fruits carry thru on palate along with roast meat and dried herbs. Great concentration and fine tannins. Stellar wine.
September 29, 2019 - A tasty Syrah with old world cues, but low QPR. Butter and pepper notes.
September 15, 2019 - Finesse in a glass.