March 5, 2024 - Medium bodied, good freshness, lots of blueberry, aromatically a bit four-square.
January 6, 2024 - This followed a Chateau Simone rouge from the same vintage and though the wines may not be too far apart geographically, their tastes were markedly different. While the Chateau Simone was surprisingly red-fruited and sophisticated, this Hermitage was a sombre and brooding powerhouse. Black-fruited, sweet and slightly roasted, something smoky and with only some traces of olive and meat. While not over the top its nose had less definition and it also felt a bit one-dimensional when compared to the Chateau Simone. In the mouth the wine was viscous, richly flavoured and sweet. Again it had less freshness than its southern companion, however, it didn't come across as flabby or hot, it just seemed more marked by the hot vintage and lacked the perfect balance of the Chateau Simone, which maybe had benefitted in this vintage from its blend of different varietals.
Nonetheless, this Hermitage is also an impressive wine and I can imagine it to gain in refinement with some additional bottle age. 91+?
November 26, 2023 - Nose of crushed blackberries and blueberries with inky mineral undertones. Black pepper, cedar box, smokey fill out the complex character. This a true northern French Rhône. The palate is full black berries, concentrated blueberries, ripe plum with black pepper bacon. A long start, giving the promise of more to come. It does not disappoint-the continuation of a full powerful syrah, with rich loamy soil minerals coupled with fall herbs of basil and thyme. The final finish of Cigar and back bacon pork goes on for ever. This wine is better than my last bottle a year ago.
November 24, 2023 - Dark brooding but somewhat shallow. Lacks depth and concentration but nice profile overall.
November 24, 2023 - Jaboulet dinner, dark, big, rich, young, needed to be decanted, good potential but not close to Chapelle quality
92+
September 16, 2023 - Decanted for around 30 mins. Medium crimson color. Really great nose with pronounced aromas of violet, blackberry, black pepper, iron. Similar flavors on the palate with a mix of herbs du Provence, black plum and blackberry, black pepper. Medium+ acidity, medium tannin and body. This is a bit more delicate than expected and in a good way. Paired great with grilled lamb chops rubs with herbs and mustard.
September 13, 2023 - First bottle of three cellared since release, splash decanted and tasted over 1.5 hours. Wow, I expected to like this but I didn’t expect something this seamless, open, and delicious. Broad-shouldered but plush, this saturates the palate with waves flavor - brambly blueberry and blackberry, licorice, white pepper, smoke, and faint briny notes on a soft tannic base. There’s very good depth and solid structure but it’s a relaxed and reserved style of muscle – more confident than forceful if that makes sense. It wraps up with a secondary burst of power on a relatively long lingering finish that kept me coming back for more. This should remain open throughout its life and gain some additional nuance along the way. Really nice stuff, and for the price, right up my alley.
August 31, 2023 - So, wow! Didn’t see this coming as I had no expectations. Wonderfully integrated Syrah from Jaboulet. Drinkable almost right away, but plenty of layered nuance as it unpacked. Terrific wine.
May 12, 2023 - Deep purple. Black raspberry, ripe red fruits, black olive, licorice, black pepper, meaty, earth, vanilla, toast, cedar. Dry, high tannins, medium plus acidity and alcohol, medium body.
April 28, 2023 - Wonderful syrah. Dark berries, pepper, touch of stone. Integrated and easy to drink and like!