This was the last of six or so bottles of this, and it seemed much flatter and one dimensional than it did when it was younger. Still a great wine, but nothing to write home about, and age does not seem to be improving it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Ruby red. Berry aromas with some spice tones. Very nice primary red fruits - a bit darker on the back end. Medium finish. I thought this was fairly one-dimensional, but in a good way.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pulled, popped and poured which was a disservice to this bottle; it was rich and robust from the first pour but would have benefited from decanting for aeration. As other tasters have noted alcohol is a bit hot at first but it seems to “blow off” or integrate after some time exposed to oxygen. I believe this is 75 % Grenache, 15% syrah, 5% mourvèdre, 5% cinsault. It has the defining spiciness from the Grenache both on the nose and palate, but with time in glass more floral aromatics. Sweet ripe red fruits, lengthy finish. Looking forward to pulling another bottle and enjoying with a meal.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Alcohol was at the forefront upon opening, then it blew off. Big tannins, chalky texture. Dormant? 88 Update: Much better showing after being vacuum corked for 30 hours. This needs 5+ years, or a long decant. 90-92+ Final update: Started to exhibit some heat again 40 hours in.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Seemingly somewhat closed, or perhaps it's just the character of this vintage. Notes of old foudres and gunpowder. Marginally more open after 1 hour. 15.5% ABV, seamlessly integrated.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I'd say this is about worth what it cost - and I guess that's a win. Like other Royer wines I've jad, it is pretty light for a southern Rhone and certainly for a CdP. But it is balanced, very drinkable, decent acidity (lack of backbone has been an issue with other Royers I've had). A little bit of barnyard, a little earthiness, and tart red fruit. This seems to me to be one to drink now rather than sit on.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Slight leakage around the cork and was concerned the bottle might have been flawed, and initially it tasted a bit tight and flat with slight unpleasant nose. Almost threw it out but decided to decant it and see what developed. After 3 hours of decanting it opened up just fine.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Aroma: lavender, black cherry, violet, mint. Palate: rich, nicely balanced black cherry and blackberry flavors with leather, cured meat and minerals. Moderate tannin and good acidity. Drink or hold.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Ripe, juicy, sweet kirsch, licorice and herbs are all over the place from start to finish. The wine is soft, lush and approachable, with a load of ripe red pit fruits in the finish. The wine was made using 90% Grenache, 5% Syrah and 5% Cinsault.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
2/18/2024 - joraesque wrote:
Quite a bit of bottle variation it seems.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/14/2024 - joraesque wrote: 90 Points
Amazingly well balanced for a 2017. 15.5% ABV.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/3/2022 - atlben76 Likes this wine: 89 Points
This was the last of six or so bottles of this, and it seemed much flatter and one dimensional than it did when it was younger. Still a great wine, but nothing to write home about, and age does not seem to be improving it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/28/2022 - Snoski62 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Ruby red. Berry aromas with some spice tones. Very nice primary red fruits - a bit darker on the back end. Medium finish. I thought this was fairly one-dimensional, but in a good way.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/11/2022 - EastBayPhil Likes this wine: 92 Points
Pulled, popped and poured which was a disservice to this bottle; it was rich and robust from the first pour but would have benefited from decanting for aeration. As other tasters have noted alcohol is a bit hot at first but it seems to “blow off” or integrate after some time exposed to oxygen. I believe this is 75 % Grenache, 15% syrah, 5% mourvèdre, 5% cinsault. It has the defining spiciness from the Grenache both on the nose and palate, but with time in glass more floral aromatics. Sweet ripe red fruits, lengthy finish. Looking forward to pulling another bottle and enjoying with a meal.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/30/2021 - joraesque wrote:
Alcohol was at the forefront upon opening, then it blew off. Big tannins, chalky texture. Dormant? 88
Update: Much better showing after being vacuum corked for 30 hours. This needs 5+ years, or a long decant. 90-92+
Final update: Started to exhibit some heat again 40 hours in.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/28/2021 - joraesque wrote: 90 Points
Seemingly somewhat closed, or perhaps it's just the character of this vintage. Notes of old foudres and gunpowder. Marginally more open after 1 hour. 15.5% ABV, seamlessly integrated.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/24/2021 - cab wrote:
I'd say this is about worth what it cost - and I guess that's a win. Like other Royer wines I've jad, it is pretty light for a southern Rhone and certainly for a CdP. But it is balanced, very drinkable, decent acidity (lack of backbone has been an issue with other Royers I've had). A little bit of barnyard, a little earthiness, and tart red fruit. This seems to me to be one to drink now rather than sit on.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/27/2020 - ddingley Likes this wine: 89 Points
Bright fruit + Rhone white pepper made this a pleasant wine (better with food), but pretty straightforward and simple. Good QPR under $30
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/27/2020 - Brain Capers Likes this wine:
Pizza Mundo, why not?, lovely rich CDP, will get better. Yum
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/3/2020 - HTX Likes this wine: 89 Points
Slight leakage around the cork and was concerned the bottle might have been flawed, and initially it tasted a bit tight and flat with slight unpleasant nose. Almost threw it out but decided to decant it and see what developed. After 3 hours of decanting it opened up just fine.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/12/2020 - stbraunt Likes this wine: 93 Points
Really delicious bottle that paired really well with chicken dinner. Rich, flavorful, great finish, well balanced... a really great bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/23/2020 - davidspieker wrote: flawed
Corked. Disappointing.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/28/2020 - Nojomoschwa Likes this wine: 88 Points
A big old wine at about 15.5% abv. Liked it but did feel perhaps a bit too heavy.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/28/2020 - kosinski wrote:
Aroma: lavender, black cherry, violet, mint.
Palate: rich, nicely balanced black cherry and blackberry flavors with leather, cured meat and minerals. Moderate tannin and good acidity. Drink or hold.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/21/2019 - Jeff Leve wrote: 92 Points
Ripe, juicy, sweet kirsch, licorice and herbs are all over the place from start to finish. The wine is soft, lush and approachable, with a load of ripe red pit fruits in the finish. The wine was made using 90% Grenache, 5% Syrah and 5% Cinsault.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment