The 2015 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru Cuv?e Vieilles Vignes continues to show very well, and as it settles down in bottle, the tangy acids that underpin its ripe, sun-kissed fruit are becoming more apparent. Aromas of red berry compote, plums, blackberries,...
The 2016 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve des Celestins is also deeply colored and impressive, with slightly darker fruits as well as the standard gamy, meaty, peppery profile that makes the estate so special. Possessing full-bodied richness, surprisingly brig...
Last of the 2018s, the 2018 Hermitage Ex Voto shows a riper, more sunny profile and has a killer nose of ripe blackberries, cassis, spice, game, woodsmoke, and bacon fat. The tannins from Hermitage always have a different feel from the Côte Rôtie releases...
Even in a vintage such as 2003 there are wines that are youthful, unevolved and still in need of bottle age. The 2003 Bellevue Mondotte is one of those wines. From a tiny (5 acres) estate owned by Gerard Perse, this blend of 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc ...
The 2021s here are certainly strong wines in the vintage. The 2021 Saint Joseph is a healthy dense ruby/purple hue and offers textbook Saint Joseph aromas and flavors of black fruit (there's a hint of red fruit as well), graphite, ground pepper, and some ...
Original sale price $179
As with the 2020 L'Hermitage, I tasted this wine in its components, shortly before blending and bottling. This vintage is highly successful at Chave, and this wine, which would qualify as the gateway bottling made from estate fruit, looks to be outstan...