Bob McDonald

9.1

A classic Coonawarra Cabernet nose of mint, herbs, blackberry and leafiness. Very vibrant and energetic for a 15 year old wine. Most of that carrying through to the medium to full bodied palate. One of the icons of the Australian wine scene, first produced in 1954 and one of the most collected wines in Australia. Very underpriced for its quality and pedigree. I might leave my last bottle for 5 years in its 20th year. It will easily travel the journey. — 17 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

From 375ml.

A very good Rhone producer visited in 2015.

At pop & pour, the fruits almost had a mid berry bubble gum character. That toned down almost immediately. Fruits are ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, baked plums, raspberries, dark cherries, juicy strawberries, chocolate bar to fudge, grilled, smoked meats, black pepper, dark spice, nutmeg, clove, iron pan, black tea, a touch of rubber toy, slight tarriness, dry herbs, roasted chestnuts, tobacco leaf, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, hints of mint, dark, red flowers, violet’s, nice acidity with a well balanced-structured, stiffly tensioned with a lush finish that lasts 90 seconds and lands on earthiness & spice.

Plenty of life left in this 2012, even in 375ml. — 13 days ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Opened a few hours prior to service and enjoyed over the course of an hour. This bottle of the 1986 was re-corked at the chateau in 2011. The wine pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and some dried dark and red fruits: black currants, brambles, black plum, tobacco, pencil shavings, some dried flowers, green pepper, leather, some earth and a gentle mix of cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. This seemed evergreen and this bottle spending most of its life in the cellars of the chateau likely has a lot to do with that. Fabulous stuff. Drink now through 2046. — a month ago

Keanna Hogan

10

I really enjoyed this wine. It was the bottle that introduced me to wine drinking. A nice beginner one for me at least. — 4 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

This needed a couple of hours decant to shed some of its tannin structure & open to show mostly black fruits, spice, earth, leather, pepper & tobacco — 14 days ago

Jeremiah Diaz

9.3

Clear, deep ruby in color; on the nose, it's clean with pronounced primary and secondary aromas of black currants, black plums, and cedar. On the palate, it's dry, medium acidity, high tannins, medium alcohol, medium body, and a pronounced intensity of primary and secondary flavors. It tastes like blackberries, eucalyptus, graphite, and black cherries with a long finish. This wine is a little off balanced (the eucalyptus flavor is a little too intense), complex, and intense. Overall, I would rate it as very good. Nellie liked it with steak. — 2 days ago

with Nellie

Roman Ochocki

9.2

Another vintage - still very good. Fruity with some leather and smoke. — 24 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

This was youthful needing some air to open showing black fruits, graphite, leather, licorice, spice box & tobacco — 7 days ago

Jason Phillips

9.3

Spicy nose. Nice and bold. Black cherry and baking spice. Wonderful! — 3 days ago

with Max

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Saint-Joseph 2018 – Northern Rhône, France 🇫🇷
A bold, complex expression of 100% Syrah from a vintage that gifted power, structure, and finesse. The V.2018 shows off the Northern Rhône’s savory elegance with a well-knit depth that speaks of place and patience.

Aromas open with an inky burst of blackcurrant, plum, and blackberry, followed by savory black pepper, nutmeg, and hints of honeysuckle and dried herbs. Deep and inviting, with layers that continue to evolve in the glass.

On the palate, expect a symphony of smoked meat, tapenade, and roasted herbs de Provence. There’s a velvety interplay of dark chocolate, licorice, and a touch of oak. Earthy yet polished, with that unmistakable Rhône grip.

Mouthfeel overall: Full-bodied and structured, with round, supple tannins and great tension between ripe black fruit and savory complexity. Black tea, bay leaf, and meaty notes add intrigue and a lasting, soulful finish.

A wine with serious aging potential, ready to drink it now with a decant or cellar for 10+ years to let the tertiary charm fully unfurl. A standout for Rhône lovers.

Pair with roasted lamb, duck confit, or aged cheeses. Santé!
— 11 days ago