One off from the big box about 5 years ago ($35). On the nose and palate, effusive notes of boysenberries, huckleberries, blueberries, sweet blackberries, figs, damsons, black currants and a light raspberry note, anise, lavender, forest floor, wet earth, rocky minerality, milk chocolate, tobacco, forest floor and lighter typical CdP notes of saline, funk, sous bois and smoked meats. Deep purple, full bodied, thick legs. Silky smooth medium tannins, light acidity, no heat. VG+ complexity and persistence, VG intensity. Opened for an hour and half without trying before the first pour, this was singing off the pour and remained constant during the hour+ we drank it. It shined on its own, and unsurprisingly even with fully integrated and generally light structure, with Steve’s leg of lamb. My first time with this producer, although I have another vintage and another bottling in my collection, this is an outstanding base CdP, with especially vibrant fruit and sweet spice. While more structure could have elevated this a further notch or two, that’s a pretty tall order at this price point, and this handily exceeded expectations and reminded me why I’m so rarely disappointed by CdPs. I suspect that this is drinking at peak, and while this was my only bottle, if I’m able to gets hands on another for around this price point, which I’d gladly do, I’d be looking to drink it in the next few years. 94+
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This is a marvelous wine that is in a great condition at the moment. The wine is full-bodied, but very balanced, delicate and refined. The tannins have already softened and integrated, but the rich fruitiness is still fully present. The wine is displaying appealing notes of raspberry, blackberry, plum, herbs, wet undergrowth, needles and medicine. Unfortunately this was my lats and only bottle.
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Probably should have decanted this wine actually, but we loved the raspberry and dirty black cherry despite its slight astringency that we really didn't care. Drank really well with chicken stuffed poblano peppers and finished with some white pepper spice and rounded albeit tannic finish. Softened edges with food for sure. This wine will continue improving. If you've got one of these, I'd probably hold it another year. If you've got 3+ of these, I'd crack one open to see where it is for your personal tastes but probably should decant for an hour.
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Sand and limestone soils Syrah has 12 months in oak, grenache in concrete
Smokey polished black fruit on nose Juicy ripe acidity, licorice and damson leading into savoury layers. Long elegant tannins ending mineral and savoury
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Burgundy, Rhone, Provence Trip; 9/3/2018-9/15/2018 (Burgundy, Rhone, Provence, France): Tasting pour at the Chateau. I was told 70% Grenache done in concrete and 30% Syrah done in barrels, but i have seen sources site some Mourvedre in here too. A big wine, full bodied with blackberry and black currant, anise, spice and grippy tannins. Needs some time, but still probably not my style.
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This classic blend of 81% Grenache and 19% Syrah is not quite yet in its optimal drinking window and deserves at least an hour of decanting. The nose is elegant and complex, with ripe black fruit, jammy red fruit, smoke, pepper and sweet baking spices. The palate is dry, but with plenty of fruit. Medium acidity, medium (+) tannins and high alcohol. This is a full-bodied yet very elegant wine, with a medium (+) long finish with slightly bitter black tea notes. It will definitely reward patience and many years of aging.
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3/30/2024 - sfwinelover1 Likes this wine: 94 Points
One off from the big box about 5 years ago ($35). On the nose and palate, effusive notes of boysenberries, huckleberries, blueberries, sweet blackberries, figs, damsons, black currants and a light raspberry note, anise, lavender, forest floor, wet earth, rocky minerality, milk chocolate, tobacco, forest floor and lighter typical CdP notes of saline, funk, sous bois and smoked meats. Deep purple, full bodied, thick legs. Silky smooth medium tannins, light acidity, no heat. VG+ complexity and persistence, VG intensity. Opened for an hour and half without trying before the first pour, this was singing off the pour and remained constant during the hour+ we drank it. It shined on its own, and unsurprisingly even with fully integrated and generally light structure, with Steve’s leg of lamb. My first time with this producer, although I have another vintage and another bottling in my collection, this is an outstanding base CdP, with especially vibrant fruit and sweet spice. While more structure could have elevated this a further notch or two, that’s a pretty tall order at this price point, and this handily exceeded expectations and reminded me why I’m so rarely disappointed by CdPs. I suspect that this is drinking at peak, and while this was my only bottle, if I’m able to gets hands on another for around this price point, which I’d gladly do, I’d be looking to drink it in the next few years. 94+
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10/15/2023 - lkilpio Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is a marvelous wine that is in a great condition at the moment. The wine is full-bodied, but very balanced, delicate and refined. The tannins have already softened and integrated, but the rich fruitiness is still fully present. The wine is displaying appealing notes of raspberry, blackberry, plum, herbs, wet undergrowth, needles and medicine. Unfortunately this was my lats and only bottle.
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12/28/2022 - Risky Likes this wine: 91 Points
medium body, dark berry, smooth
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12/28/2022 - mflesh wrote:
Probably should have decanted this wine actually, but we loved the raspberry and dirty black cherry despite its slight astringency that we really didn't care. Drank really well with chicken stuffed poblano peppers and finished with some white pepper spice and rounded albeit tannic finish. Softened edges with food for sure. This wine will continue improving. If you've got one of these, I'd probably hold it another year. If you've got 3+ of these, I'd crack one open to see where it is for your personal tastes but probably should decant for an hour.
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2/7/2019 - Ianjaig Likes this wine: 91 Points
Nose closed. Liquorice and anise dominate, long finish, with grippy, firm tannins. A big wine. Very nice.
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9/14/2018 - jmcmchi Likes this wine: 92 Points
Sand and limestone soils
Syrah has 12 months in oak, grenache in concrete
Smokey polished black fruit on nose
Juicy ripe acidity, licorice and damson leading into savoury layers. Long elegant tannins ending mineral and savoury
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9/13/2018 - rocknroller wrote:
Burgundy, Rhone, Provence Trip; 9/3/2018-9/15/2018 (Burgundy, Rhone, Provence, France): Tasting pour at the Chateau. I was told 70% Grenache done in concrete and 30% Syrah done in barrels, but i have seen sources site some Mourvedre in here too. A big wine, full bodied with blackberry and black currant, anise, spice and grippy tannins. Needs some time, but still probably not my style.
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12/7/2017 - TannicBeast Likes this wine: 91 Points
This classic blend of 81% Grenache and 19% Syrah is not quite yet in its optimal drinking window and deserves at least an hour of decanting. The nose is elegant and complex, with ripe black fruit, jammy red fruit, smoke, pepper and sweet baking spices. The palate is dry, but with plenty of fruit. Medium acidity, medium (+) tannins and high alcohol. This is a full-bodied yet very elegant wine, with a medium (+) long finish with slightly bitter black tea notes. It will definitely reward patience and many years of aging.
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