I’m rating this high just for the reason that most would not expect this Sonoma Blend to last this long & taste so good. No bricking whatsoever, plenty of fruit left with no stewed fruits on the nose.
I remember buying the 1995 when it first hit the store shelves for $25.00, it was the first time paying more than $15.00 for a bottle of wine! The only reason I bought it was because I liked the name🙄 turned out to be a very good rookie purchase unlike most of my rookie mistakes. — 3 months ago
Tightly wound nose, lots of beeswax, white florals and some stone fruit, rounded by oak. Palate in unfortunately alcohol-first (I guessed 14.5 but it’s 15!) but layers of texture. Good bit hot, more pedigree than magic — 6 months ago
In a nice place at shade under 10 years. Popped and poured and was surprisingly ready to go, though 30 mins in the glass helped for sure. Nice mouthfeel and density. Tannins are there but very well integrated. Good dark berry fruit and some pepper on the long finish. Delicious with steak and a pork chop at The Grill. — a month ago
Thick, powerful and intense but a bit too stewed and alcoholic for me. You can sense the complexity and depth but just not in balance. — 2 months ago
The 1994 was initially a bit shy on the nose but after many hours in the decanter, it showed such amazing character. In fact, it shared some characteristics with a lightly peated single malt scotch, with light smoke, marmalade, honey, golden raspberry and wet stone. More of its character was unlocked with food. In this case, monkfish, sweet potato, leek, and winter truffle. Drink now through 2034+ — 2 months ago
$25, 2020 vintage, drunk February 2024, with Shibli, loving friend. He and I were quite satisfied.  — 3 months ago
Serious over performer — 5 months ago
Beautiful — 22 days ago
Cinnamon, a subtle spiced wine flavor — 2 months ago
juicy, tannic gamay with black cherry and some plum flavors, it feels like it has residue on the tongue adding some funk to the glass. i had this w/ maitake mushrooms on the menu at lalou. it’s really unique. i haven’t had a gamay with that much texture to it. i am a fan. — 2 months ago
Lemon oil, lime and slate. — 6 months ago
Vanessa
It’s always a resounding ‘YES’ for JL Chave!!
That includes this luscious and concentrated Syrah from Saint-Joseph AOC in the Northern Rhône of France.
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave is a benchmark and icon of the Rhône Valley – a family-run operation since 1481 – with an entire range of deliciousness through the Domaine Jean-Louis Chave and JL Chave Selection portfolios.
This wine is deep ruby, trending on purple. It has pronounced aromas and flavors of boysenberry, blueberry, black cherry, cassis, pomegranate, also violet, bacon, sanguine, saddle leather, pipe tobacco, clove, cigar, damp earth, and black peppercorn. Alcohol is high (14.5% ABV) with medium (+) fine-grained and well-integrated tannins, medium (+) acidity, a medium (+) body, and a long, elegant finish.
It has a rustic and savory character with robust dark fruit notes; it’s layered, complex, structured, and age-worthy, benefitting from decanting. Still, it’s tasting wonderfully now.
Cheers to JL Chave and treasures of the Rhône!! — a month ago