April 26, 2023 - N Rhone Chez R: On the nose and palate - this is fully ready to go. Lots of camp fire here, the acidity is holding it all together. Jolly nice stuff, but I wouldn't be hanging on to it for too long I don't think.
March 6, 2021 - If you like mature Northern Rhone this is squarely in the zone. Light colour. Mature, soft and smooth with classic underlying Hermitage power of meaty, smoky, olive and some tertiary savoury and sous bois flavours.
December 20, 2014 - Bacon fat, green olives, meat, bloody game. A meat lover's wine. Outstanding, and drinking at mid peak for me. No fear of a downhill slide. 94 pts
February 21, 2012 - The nose was deep, layered and constantly changing. It showed savory leather and beef jerky, and it then turned to noxious floral notes with chalky minerals and undergrowth. On the palate, it was balanced, juicy and savory with blackberry, pepper, and kale. The finish was clean and pure with great balanced acidity keeping it fresh.
October 1, 2010 - I waited too long to record formal notes on this, but suffice to say it was one of the most profound wines I have ever tasted or would hope to taste. Elegant but masculine, it was at once familiar and unique as an expression of N. Rhone terroir. Suggestions of earth, mushrooms, smoke, meat, blood, iron minerality, and even a touch of fruit, but it always presented these in the wine's own unique paradigm--impossible to compare to any other Syrah I have ever experienced. Unfortunately the experience of drinking it was marred by a terrible headache but it impacted me nonetheless, and I couldn't think of a better way to toast to my new married life that was to begin the next day.
February 13, 2007 - very slightly corked, tried a four hour decant which was too short, next bottle try f or wait
October 16, 2006 - paler than the Tourette- funky, gamey, grilled wild animal, a hint of vanillin, hot rocks, boysenberry, white pepper, bit of wood spice, red raspberry, really nice nose – still youthful, very bright in the mouth, excellent intensity of flavor in a decidedly medium bodied package, tannins still a bit dominant, bit of smoky mintiness, very mineral across the palate with hints of tar and licorice leading to a cherry stone finish, finishes very long and succulent, bloody, lots of amarena cherry as well. This is excellent stuff, very traditional feel, very complex, lithe in the mouth, better with another 2-3 years but I can drink this now and be very happy