April 26, 2023 - N Rhone Chez R: Served blind. Some discussion of pepper - white vs black. This definitely had some white pepper, good acidity, again some floral notes, and a slight glossiness.
July 2, 2022 - Popped and poured, but I should have decanted the wine. Doing so would have both helped the wine and helped us avoid the large amount of sediment. This wine presented a good opportunity for trying my new Zalto against other Riedel and Fusion glasses. In most every occasion so far, the Zalto glass has won … But not with this wine. For this comparison, I pulled Riedel Sommelier Hermitage glasses in a head to head with the Zalto. The Som. Hermitage was a clear winner with a 3 to 0 vote from the table. The wine is classic Texier: more acidic than other Rhone producers, therefore very food friendly, with flavors of lavender, smoke, smoked meats, plum and a touch of iodine. Very balanced. The color is a deep maroon, almost plum. It is a very youthful looking 22 year old wine. Sediment? Definitely! From magnum.13% alc. With grilled (beef) ribeyes, “cowboy” cut, which is to say, ginormous. 07.02.22. Highly Recommended.
April 1, 2018 - Stood up for 2 d and decanted off its sediment. Initially tart, sharp cranberry flavors with some herb. Took about 2 h for the acids to settle and for the wine to come into better balance. Now concentrated raspberry, cranberry and blackberry flavors accented with olives, herbs, earth, a hint of roasted meats and moderate tannins on back end. Acids are still high and puts the wine mildly out of balance. Almost light-bodied on a lithe and elegant frame. Not my typical descriptors of syrah but I liked it, nonetheless. Just wish the acid and fruit were in better balance.
December 8, 2012 - Expected a big, brooding Syrah, but instead subtle red fruit and mild tobacco. I suspect it is time to drink up.
November 7, 2011 - Dressner Dinner (Dino, Washington DC): This was decanted for about 90 minutes beforehand. Medium-bodied with cranberry, smoked meat, dark florals and spices on the palate. Good stuff.
March 27, 2008 - Nice wine, very true to its' French style. Tartness with good structure and fruit. Medium finish with evolving complexity. Opened (not decanted) for 1hr prior to pouring.
October 12, 2007 - light, med body, pomegranite bright fruit, tart. not a long finish. grows in complexity. more pinot like than syrah.
November 18, 2006 - Dinner at Muse with Steve & Barb. Decanted for 1 hour. Dark ruby to red in the glass. Nose is both meaty but also sweet. Palate doesn't seem to follow the nose at all and is a disappointment. With time in the glass the palate began to change and open somewhat but remained tart. 50+12+10+7+7 = 86
June 25, 2004 - Red Carpet: Red Carpet: Tree roots, truffles, shrooms; grt. character in the a’s; lighter bod than Colombier; great mouth feel!
February 6, 2004 - Red Carpet: White pepper, dusty brush, but elegant; smth mth, complex, dry watery prunes, pepper, well-integrated t’s, med. fin.***Not impressed for Hermitage.