A bigger, richer wine than I'm use to from this terroir, the 2019 Cote Rotie Maison Rouge sports a ruby/plum color as well as a great nose of black cherries, chocolaty plum, peppery herbs, subtle smoke, and iron. With medium to full-bodied richness on the...
Closer in style to the 2018 than the 2017, the 2019 Cote Rotie is a big, rich, powerful Cote Rotie that has loads of meaty, gamey black fruits, smoked herb, pepper, and chocolate-like aromas and flavors. With full-bodied richness, a round, layered texture...
Slightly deeper hued, the 2019 Chateauneuf Du Pape Cuvee Des Felix is based on 60% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, 5% Syrah, and the rest a mix of varieties and sees a slightly longer elevage in demi-muids (30%) and very old barrels (70%). Blackcurrants, roasted...
The 2019 Chateauneuf Du Pape Les Hauts-Lieux includes slightly more Mourvedre and comes from a cooler parcel in the northern part of the appellation. It has another level of purity and precision compared to the Trois Sources and has extraordinary notes of...
As the 2015 Saint-Joseph Lieu-Dit Saint-Joseph had been recently bottled when I tasted it last year and rated it 94 points, I've retasted it and upgraded it a point. Despite being aged in 100% new oak for close to 24 months, it shows only subtle hints of ...
Glass-staining ruby. Powerful, mineral- and smoke-accented black and blue fruit, potpourri, olive and vanilla aromas acquire a spicy nuance as the wine opens up. Offers densely packed cherry-cola, cassis and blueberry flavors that show excellent clarity a...
Leading off the 2020s, the 2020 Côtes Du Rhône is ripe, medium to full-bodied, and loaded with charm. Sunny red and black fruits, spice, and garrigue notes define the bouquet, and it's going to drink nicely right out of the gate. It shows the fruit-driven...