December 25, 2023 - A rather perplexing experience for me, because this bottle isn't meeting my expections. It is not shut down, but simply by far not as complex and intense as previous bottles. Is it going through a difficult stage or already in decline. Well, this isn't made for the long haul, but I would be surprised if it is already at the end of its optimal drinking window. Time will tell. 5/11/15/7.
November 26, 2023 - Drunk yesterday, note from memory.
Magnum bottle. 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre. Dark purple-red color, still closed on the nose with more a bouquet of beefstock-umami than of fruit. The fruit is however exuberantly present on the palate with superipe cherries and blackberries with further licorice, a mass of ripe tannins and a fresh lingering finish. This wine is still at the beginning of its life and should last for ten years gaining complexity, although it is already irresistible right now. This is clearly a top vintage for this domain. In contrast with previous taster’s note there was not a trace of sediment in this bottle.
Drunk in ideal circumstances together wih my partner an two good friends who all went gaga over this wine I gave it a high rating for the pure drinking pleasure. I expect still more complexity from the more expensive cuvées (Confiance and Fleur de Confiance). At 15€ (75cl bottle) this is a remarkable QPR.
September 16, 2023 - Drinking well, decanted, lots of sediment, tannins softening, nice acidity, no rush to drink up
July 11, 2023 - Clairement rhone sud. En a encore sous la pedale. Cest rien de grand mais certains vont aimer
June 21, 2023 - In der Nase viel dunkle Kirsche, etwas Brombeer-Gelee, vor allem mit Luft viel Waldbodwn und sautierte Pilze. Sehr floral mit deutlich dunklen Blüten, dazu Pfeffer und etwas Anis. Im Hintergrund mit feinen Holznoten, vor allem etwas Zimt.
Am Gaumen deutlich warm und durchaus ein Maulvoll Wein, allerdings auch sehr saftig und mit gehörigem Säurezug. Recht viel sehr feines Tannin, enorme Spannung mit einem wunderschön sehr dunklen mineralischen Kontrast.
Fleischig, lang anhaltend, dazu mit sehr feurigem, lange nicht nur alkoholischen, Abgang.
October 16, 2022 - Purple to pink in thin layers. Dark berries, cherry drops (but not in a annoying overripe way), fresh herbal terpenoid notes, pepper, tar. Quite complex with much play for its pedigree, yet light on its feed given the 15% alc. Smooth tannins, and less than two or three years ago. Only 10 and 5 % Syrah and Mourvedre. Given the aromatic profile, I would have guessed more Syrah content. -2029+ if perfectly cellared since release. 12/17/10. 94 points from Joe Czerwinski for the WA (A rather stingy critic if it comes to giving out points, I guess) and 93 from the wine enthusiast.
July 23, 2022 - Wow, this is drinking wonderfully now. no decanting to open it up is needed. i believe it's 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre. very dark purple, soft tannins, dark fruits, medium finish. 91-92, Andre Romero has taught his son well
January 11, 2022 - So very dark, tight, unyielding at present, with the syrah/mourvedre side of things really outshining the grenache. I get the sense that with 5-10 more years this could really open this up a bit and increase its complexity. It reminds me now of a backward, tannic vintage of Beaucastel like 1995, all tree bark, pine and earth, with the fruit in the background. Hold.
December 23, 2021 - My first Rasteau. Definitely fits in the Southern Rhone profile. Chewy tannins, black currant, garrigue, and earthy qualities all contribute to the interest. All that said, it's more on the medium bodied side so very good with food.
July 24, 2021 - Excellent