Tom Kobylarz

9.8

If there were ever an archetypical Syrah, Jamet's Cote-Rotie would be a strong candidate. To me this is a pure expression of a classic Northern Rhone Syrah. It is not a single site, but a blend of terroirs, encompassing over 20 sites mostly from hard rock schist bedrock with little to no topsoil. There is NO Viognier in this wine like one might expect from most Cote-Rotie that might have 1-5% co-fermented.

Importantly, there is also a lot less of the oak character that can dominate and overwhelm many Northern Rhone wines. The oak maturation, while not short at 22 months, only uses 15% new oak with no trace of it on the palate as it is perfectly integrated. Grape bunches are whole cluster fermented and macerated for up to 3 weeks.

The 2007 we have here was drinking superbly for a young wine, showing lively and racy layers of peppercorn spice, roast beef, and warm blackberry and currant fruit from the hot 2007 vintage. While from a warm vintage, not a hair is out of place. Density and purity exude from the nose and hint at what a brilliant future this wine has. Perfect acidity and fleshy ripe tannin provide the backbone structure for father time to peel back the layers of this beauty. I will be chceking back in 5 years at the earliest. — 10 years ago

Mike Mentesana

9.5

Classic Olga and Can Franc. Balanced with a hint of blackberry. — 11 years ago

Greg Sorensen

9.2

Such a great Ardanza. Fruit acidity and all the classic tertiary magic. I wonder if today's Ardanza's will age with such grace. I miss the old school label too. — 12 years ago

Diengo Chou

8.9

Very classic style, already a little tired and enjoyable. Always an honor to visit his wine. — 10 years ago

Jörgen Lindström Carlvik

Owner, Brix Wine Consultants

9.6

1989 vintage. A near perfect bottle with loads of ripe dark fruit flavors and classic Rutherford dust additions. Sweet tannins still providing structure and grip, and it's American oak treatment nicely integrated. Long, satisfying finish, where fruit, acidity and minerality comes in waves. Very, very impressive and behaving 10 years younger than it actually is. — 11 years ago

Keith Studdard

9.1

Throwback Classic Rioja. Good oak. Complex fruits. — 12 years ago

with Chris and Olivia

Colin Cahoon

9.7

Classic Gran Reserva. Nose is leather and oak. Complex in the mouth with leather, oak, clove, cinnamon, tobacco, fig and a hint of blue cheese. It finishes with more oak, medium acid and chewy tannins. A lovely dark, blood red color to boot. At a meal, this is the main course. Me gusta. — 10 years ago

with Susan

Oscar More

9.1

Vino con mucho sabor, acido, seco y limpio final. — 11 years ago

Alex Ruzich

9.0

Classic Napa Cad from a great vintage. Not particularly memorable but a pleasure to drink. — 12 years ago

Alberto Lorenzi

9.2

Classic Champagne, great vintage, drank in 2008 vs Puro bianco for graduation celebration. Traditionalists enjoyed Champagne the most. Me, Puro since I'm an innovator ! — 13 years ago