December 23, 2018 - 2nd of 2 bottles, last one was consumed 5+ yrs ago.
This wine was mildly tainted with TCA, but the underlying wine was pretty enough that we still drained the bottle.
The wine was beautifully mature, showing softened red and black fruits with pepper, iron, blood, and spice.
Finely grained tannins, with beautifully buffered acidity and a med+ and delicious finish.
Drink now.
March 15, 2017 - Bought half a case of this in 2008. To be sure, the bottles with the most cellar age were better, but this wine never lost its notes of astringency and is now slightly past peak, in my opinion. Still, not a bad buy at $18. JL Chave is most famous for his Hermitage, but his St. Joseph, Cotes du Rhone and other Rhone varieties are worth seeking out.
January 14, 2017 - A really good wine. I opened and drank over 3 hours. Took about 30 mins to open. After 3 hours, started to fade. Really great fruit and nice spice with a long finish...
August 21, 2014 - Long wait for these, but after 6 years in the cellar this has finally come around.
June 29, 2014 - Beautiful wine. Takes some time to open-up. Initially nose and flavours of leather and dirt. After 15 minutes, the "awkwardness" dissipated and the wine showed its true potential. Darker fruit flavours (plum). Long finish.
April 24, 2013 - PnP and consumed half the bottle the first night. Remaining bottle over the next 2 nights.
Nice clear appearance, med ruby/purple color, fading to a light ruby/purple rim.
Nose was in good condition, showing developing aromas that are med intensity, including red fruits like raspberry and red cherry, as well as sweet tobacco and a funky moist soil note that adds complexity and interest.
The palate shows off a dry wine with med body and med alcohol (listed 13% abv), with flavors that are med intensity, including red cherry, a bit of strawberry, then tobacco, espresso beans, and a mild black pepper spice. There is ample med/med(+) acidity to give vivid freshness to this wine, supporting the med length finish of red fruits and mild spice.
A very good quality wine that will improve another 2 years in bottle, and drink well through approx 2018.
February 2, 2013 - Dark purple in the glass. Initial aromas of barnyard and grape jam. Needed about 1 hour to open up into a complex and smooth Syrah. I have three more from a 1/2 case and they are ready to drink.
July 21, 2012 - Very muted at first with some flowers and fruit. But two hours later, black fruit came out along with leather, earth, olives all balanced by acidity and minerality. Nothing over the top, everything in place.
November 23, 2011 - Nothern Rhone $20 to $40; 11/23/2011-11/24/2011: Purple ruby in color. The nose is big if a bit awkward. Dusty, leather and some raspberries. Slick texture. On the palate, mostly black raspberries, some pepper. Slightly tart. Heat on the finish. Nice wine, won't improve.
April 7, 2011 - WINO in New Orleans (New Orleans, LA): dark purple color. nose shows black olives, black cherries and squid ink. gorgeous balane and mouthfeel. medium acid and tannins. black cherry and black olives and bacon drippings. soft finish, a kick of green olive. exquisite finish. what i love about the northern rhone for a fraction of the price.