Will Stanley

9.3

I find that Saint-Joseph can come in various guises, from polished, suave and extracted to meaty, rustic and traditional – perhaps due to the sheer size of the appellation and varied characteristics of its vineyards and vignerons. My first experience with Saint-Cosme’s SJ was an old bottle enjoyed around ten years ago that was superb. So, what’s it like now – and young?

The 2020 is a burly heavyweight, somewhere between traditional and modern in style, with punchy savoury aromas of grilled meat, charcoal, along with fresh blackcurrant, steeped plums and fig paste. There is also such a floral quality that it possesses a southern-Rhône appearance. But the palate is so very Syrah, very tannic initially and laden with dark fruits, espresso, dark chocolate and a kiss of new oak. This improves with air, and will improve with age. Built for the long-haul.

February 2025 — 6 months ago

Nagib Nasr

9.1

Very nice vionier — 9 months ago

Michael Phillips

9.6

Big rich wonderful wine that tastes like a very good Chateauneuf — 3 years ago

Julia Bourne

9.0

14% alcohol. French. Family winery. Blackberries & cherries. Medium finish. — 4 years ago

S T

9.2

Dark berries and vanilla scented, with bold ripe berries with the right amount of oak and tannin, long finish. Overall very easy and pleasant to drink. — 6 years ago

Enrique

8.9

Potente y amaderado. Muy rico — 6 years ago

Simon Gilligan

9.0

Buying at the budget end while travelling is like throwing dice, but this Rioja Reserva (1 year in oak, 2 in bottle) delivered nicely at around 11€. Balanced, black/raspberry fruited, earthy, bit of spice, leather, gravelly tannin. If I find another bottle I’ll buy it! Ronda, Spain — 6 years ago

Abbas Zand

8.9

Dark ruby color, medium intensity and body. Medium+ acidity and tannins. Aromas of red cherry and raspberry. Flavors of red cherry, strawberry, raspberry, and blackberry. Little earthy, dusty, dark chocolate and a hint of coffee. Light Oak.
$12 — 7 months ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of dinner which lasted a couple do hours. The 2015 pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of powerful ripe red and dark fruit: black brambles, dark cherries, black pepper, boozy Christmas fruitcake, licorice, garrigue, leather and rocky earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with sneaky medium+ tanning that build with air. The acid is there too although I wouldn’t call it the main character. It does, however, play a strong supporting roll. Definitely a wine of texture. It has been a handful of years since my last bottle of the 2015 and it’s evolving very nicely! Secondary flavors are starting to show and everything remains balanced. Extended air did get it to freshen up a bit so I’d say this still has a long life ahead. Drink now with a healthy decant and through 2035. — 9 months ago

Prishep

9.0

Приятное, нежное вино с яркими ягодными нотами и длительным послевкусием — 4 years ago

Anna-Claire Hayden

9.0

Not too sweet, easy and bright. — 4 years ago

Por La Vida

8.9

I can smell the wind, the sun, the stone buildings of Spain in this well made of straightforward Rioja. This 2006 is just coming into it’s given that it may have been fruit forward in its early life. I prefer the crianza from this same wine maker, the reserva goes down enjoyably easy. — 6 years ago

J Greene

9.2

Red fruit on the nose, raspberry’s. Love the fruit on the pallet with a nice long mineral like finish. Was rated 97 by decanter. Maybe a bit high, but for pop and pour, this bottle is pretty dang delicious. — 6 years ago

Sam Friedland

9.0

Quite fruity, with Syrah’s spices, soft tannins, went very well with spicy merguez. — 9 months ago

Ming L

9.2

So much complexity for a vinho verde. Paired beautifully with grilled sardine.
Prior notes applied. — 9 months ago

Meadow Linder

9.0

I don't like whites but this one hits the spot on a warm day. — a year ago

Roger Ray

8.9

" 30 months in Oak barrels adds a vanilla flavor to the beautiful ripe fruit in this structured wine." Made from the Noble tempranillo grapes, it's a wine for special moments. " — 4 years ago

Noelle Mathies

9.0

Very fruity and delicious. Not too heavy but definitely some body. — 6 years ago

Zac Comchoc

10

Amazing 2012 loved every bit of it, if you love dry red you will love this. — 6 years ago

Andrew Schirmer

9.4

Stunning nose, evocative of violets, lavender, garrigue. Velvety mouthfeel, power, finesse. Dark fruit, tar, wood, brooding. Drink for another 5-7 years. Fabulous. — 6 years ago

with Alsu