Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

This is an unusual CdP. In the sense that is is dark, thick and like chocolate for water.

My first of three bottles.

The nose shows a very light flaw, some soft VA, bandaid. The core is all dark currants, candied, ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, both plums-heavier black, black raspberries, hints of raspberries & wafting strawberries. Chocolate cake w/ fudge frosting, incense, black pepper, black coffee, anise to black licorice, grilled meats, crushed rocks, lime-sandstone, dry herbs with floral candied dark, red flowers with liquid violets wrapped in lavender.

The palate reveals; dark currants, candied, ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, both plums-heavier black, black raspberries, hints of raspberries, some pomegranate & wafting strawberries. Chocolate cake w/ fudge frosting, caramel, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, incense, Christmas cake, red & dark cola, olive tapenade, black pepper, black coffee, anise to black licorice, smoke, grilled meats, soy sauce, crushed rocks, lime-sandstone, moist clay, dry herbs with dark, gentle dark spices, red& dark flowers with candied liquid violets wrapped in the same candied lavender, grand, round, rainfall acidity w/ a rich, lush, well balanced, nicely toned/structured, elegant finish that shows length that lasts 90-120 seconds and falls on chocolate cake, clay & spice.

Untypical for a CdP to be so thick, round, rich and a bit of wine candy.

93-95 with the meal.

Drink over the next 7-10 yrs and perhaps a couple to three yrs +. Greatly depends on storage and how you like your wines in age. — 7 days ago

Doug Powers

9.0

The entire intact cork decided it wanted to stay in the bottle rather than come out, so gently-filtered pours will be de rigeur tonight!! Initially this shows mature white wine aromas, some minerality and salinity, still plenty of acidity, actually a pretty solid finish that lingers, often these old Raveneau wines open to show more with 30 minutes of aeration, we’ll see and I’ll add a comment to my note. — 2 days ago

with Jim

Doug Powers

9.0

Initially this shows just a trace of threshold level TCA (?), iodine, raw meat, some smoke aromas as well, rich and complex, seems a little more refined that the 1990 Sorrel Hermitage “Le Greal”, but without the incredible depth and sheer power of that wine, another great northern Rhone Syrah!! — 6 days ago

with Jim

Jay Kline

9.5

Opened about an hour prior to service and enjoyed over the course of two days. Better on Day 2. The 2005 RsV pours a deep ruby color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing and dark fruited with ripe notes of black cherry, strawberry, red and purple flowers, licorice, dried green herbs, and gentle 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. Always a special treat, the DRC comes across the most polished and frankly, primary in this lineup of legends. It fresh and beautifully balanced. It just needs time as the Day 2 experience indicated. The tannins are super sneaky. Drink now through 2050+ Bottle No. 1821/17392 — 6 days ago

Conrad Green

9.5

A vivacious thrilling nose. Bright lime and matchstick flint. Crisp and clear and intense. Really defined and clear. Light and tense. Excellent — 2 days ago

with Bex

Douglas Braun

9.1

2023- vintage -good extraction, wild fruit , Stoney character, rose petal, dried strawberry , medium tannins, medium acidity. — a month ago

Jay Kline

9.6

At this point, with this group, a Legends dinner simply wouldn’t be appropriate without at least one bottle of Chave Hermitage.

Opened about 90min prior to service; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 1994 Hermitage pours a slightly hazy garnet with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with perfumed notes of dried brambles, dried blueberry, dried purple flowers, black olive, mushroom, espresso, leather, stony earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and slightly sanguine. Delicious with the 5 Spice Cured Duck prepared with marinated Bing cherries, crispy shallot and Olathe corn polenta. It was such a pleasure to taste the ‘94 Chave next to the ‘85 Gentaz. Two Northern Rhône Legends working with their respective terroirs. Where the Gentaz was all about the aromatics of Côte Rôtie, the Chave was brought more of the power from the Hill of Hermitage. Drink now through 2056. — 3 days ago

Her Mir Tage

9.1

I never expected the 2011 Chambertin to have such a firm backbone! I opened it yesterday at 3:30 for decanter breathing, then started glass-breathing at 6:30. Right after pouring, it was extremely tight – it wasn't until 8:30, after two full hours in the glass, that the aromas finally emerged: intense floral and powdery rose notes, with a powerful structure, great depth, and hints of chocolate, earth, leather, tobacco, and a peppery spice. The fruit was certainly there, but it wasn't soft or delicate. To be honest, this was a great wine in terms of aroma, structure, and quality – but it wasn't easy drinking. It felt like hard work, and frankly, it's not my preferred style. I took half the bottle home. Then tonight at 6:00, I opened the remaining half – and wow, the nose was bursting with wild roses, violets, and powdery perfume. The palate was a pure delight: the tannins had turned incredibly silky, with black cherry and sour plum intertwined, finishing clean, sweet, and refreshing. Completely opened up. This wine, when closed, is deep, introverted, and grand in structure; once open, it becomes flamboyant and exuberant. From now on, I think the best approach for Chambertin is an 8-hour decanter breather, followed by glass-breathing to appreciate its evolution along the way. — 15 days ago

Jamie Lauder

9.8

2005 vintage.
Rich black cherries, cocoa spice, orange peel, dark flowers, subois and earthy.
Long generous finish with crisp acidity and fine grained tannins.
This was bequeathed to me years ago at a Celebration of Life for a gentleman who was greatly influential and guiding on my wine journey.
A stunning wine from an incredible individual.
Cheers everyone.
🥂🥂 — 16 days ago

Anthony Pro

9.0

Paired with wagyu beef tatare and prime Striploin. Excellent. — 11 days ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.2

Casamarena mazf cesar lalo — 6 days ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.8

Nouvelle aaron scott — 2 days ago

Conrad Green

9.6

Gorgeous soft lemon fruit. Chalk and fine detailed fruit. Lush but precise. Long intense and classy. Gorgeous — 2 days ago

with Bex

Jay Kline

9.8

Opened about an hour prior to service. The 2009 Chambertin Clos de Béze pours a brilliant ruby with a transparent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, holy shit…this came to party. There’s a mix of ripe and bruised strawberry, Bing cherry, mixed brambles, dried red flowers, sous bois, mushrooms, beautiful warm spices and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Everything is in fantastic balance; generous and yet hitting all the classic notes. It was also my favorite with the foie gras au torchon prepared with grilled Colorado palisade peaches, toasted almonds, aged sherry gastrique, thyme and toasted brioche. Brilliant. Drink now through 2059. — 4 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Opened three days earlier. The 2023 pours a deep ruby/purple color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of ripe brambles, lavender pastilles, bacon fat, black pepper, and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. A delightful pairing with Bison ribeye. Young but showing its potential. Drink now through 2043. — 12 days ago

Ki Punwar

Owner, California Wine Republic

9.3

Tempier rose never disappoints. Paired with Salmon and Caesar salad — 6 hours ago

Lisanne Nijenhuis

9.4

Home alone with wine, snacks and a good movie! — 6 days ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.3

Medium light lemon yellow , touch of green . Quite a lot of struck match , quite young and reductive on the nose . Some ripe lemon hints , smoky yellow fruits , peach , apricot and honeysuckle. On the palate this is quite intense and structured with the citrus and yellow fruits mixed with a chalky notes . This has good length and extract and refreshing acidity with creamy mouthfeel , after a while becoming even more mineral and fresh with an intense finish. Showing pretty young still , needs a bit of time to wake up but lots of potential . Even better in 5 years or so and will last well a further 5 - 10 . — a month ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

So good! Showing notes of lemon, citrus, wet stone, mineral, flint & racy acids — a month ago

Mike Obley

8.9

Surprisingly good for a waek vintage — 18 days ago