Isaac Pirolo

9.1

This pops with vibrant strawberry and kirsch, but continues reverberating with incense, citrus peel, damp chalk, and licorice. I would happily spend $15 again, but this gives me the confidence to trade up to Halos Gigondas or Chateauneuf du Pape the next time around.

Finally trying this label... Considering the esteem to which I hold Philippe Cambie and my love for Grenache, it's been a long time coming. Cambie, along with a Michel Gassier, produce Grenache-focused bottlings from nearly all the Southern Rhone AOCs under the Halos de Jupiter label. To Cambie, Grenache is the king of all grapes, thus the comparison to Jupiter (Zeus in Greek), forming the basis of the label. The halo symbolizes the appellations that best express the personality of Grenache. http://www.philippecambie.com/en/les-halos-de-jupiter/ — 9 years ago

Kai Wright

9.5

Delightfully grubby Rhone like you love it, and a great example of the fun to be had by stepping outside of the traditional appellations. Pronounced earthy and herbal notes, intense dark fruit, chewy body and high acid. All kinds of notes layering well, lingering forever. Love it. — 9 years ago

with Jedd

Drew Summers

Sales Northampton Wines

9.0

Nicolas Jaboulet & Perrin family collaboration that's primarily focused on wine from Northern Rhone Appellations -- '09 Vintage / 100% Syrah; Black Cherry, Plum & Spice... — 9 years ago

John Chis

9.3

13 appellations of Napa. Reynolds does a great job. Great stuff. — 10 years ago

Mike Evans

9.4

Terrific aged white Burgundy hazelnut, rich, layered, at peak but with no danger of decline, it is ridiculously good right now and puts most white Burgs from more prestigious appellations to shame. A little RS pops its head out with air as it just gets better — 11 years ago

with Eric

Eric C

9.4

Une des rares appellations Chateau en champagne. Domaine offert de la veuve clicquot a son gendre. Un de nos préférées pour les petites occasions. — 12 years ago

P A

9.0

Wow, this outstanding wine has somehow slipped under the radar. From the respected Pomeral region in S.W. France it has many of the traits of other Boudreaux appellations yet delightfully distinct. It is dark ruby in colour displaying the many wonderful subtleties of the Pomeral wines presenting mingling aromas of raspberry, black berries, black pepper, Earl Gray Tea and Lavender. With a well-balanced silky taste of fresh lush fruit, it leaves a lingering expression of spices and brown sugar. How did I miss this one? I have already ordered a case to be held for my next trip to Calgary. Cheers — 9 years ago

Gary Westby

Champagne & Sherry buyer K&L Wines

9.3

Fourteen is my kind of vintage! This is a clear, pure red burg with incredible length and finesse. It is tight now, and only the last half glass showed the savor and depth that it will have in spades in the next few years. — 9 years ago

David Hale Smith

10

@Jordan Mackay you were correct, sir. A unicorn wine. SO glad I opened to share with friends. @Rajat Parr @Julia Weinberg need your/@delectable's wine hive-mind to get more of the story of this gorgeous Napa red blend. Jammy, smoky, licorice, & dried cherry. — 9 years ago

with Ray

Gary Westby

Champagne & Sherry buyer K&L Wines

9.2

Bistro style Bordeaux at its best. This light, crunchy cab still had texture, length an interest. Fourteen years seems perfect for a wine like this. Great with leftover pork shoulder open face sandwiches with homemade mayo! — 10 years ago

with Cleora

Anthony Lombardi

8.9

2005 Chateau les Bertrands Nectar des Bertrands. Cotes de Blaye. I love checking in on supposed "lesser" appellations in great vintages. This is gorgeous mocha dusted cherry juice w/ tannic structure to go a while still. If you ever see this, slip it in your Pomerol tasting. Lovely. — 10 years ago

Nic Gautreaux

9.5

So good and yet so young tasting! It's an '05 and has plenty of time left! This was very drinkable but very easily could lay down another decade and some. — 11 years ago

Palmer Emmitt

Owner/Winemaker Judge Palmer

9.1

Rockpile - the "Grand Cru" of Zinfandel appellations. Thanks to the hosts of the ZAP luncheon for this one. — 12 years ago

Pat Wong

9.1

Perfect with filet of beef. Carmignano is one of the oldest appellations in the world. Cosimo III de Medici in 1716 issued a bando to ensure its continued quality. Mostly Sangiovese, it has some Cabernet owing to a Medici marrying into the French royal family. — 9 years ago

PI WI

9.2

Un vin parfaitement maîtrisé et complexe, par un vigneron qui fait ce qu'il aime pas de contrainte lié aux appellations. Je recommande vivement ce vigneron Peter Fischer — 9 years ago

Ian Griffith

9.4

Drinking very nicely. Creamy, with a nice edge. Less intense than more nobel appellations but perfect for food. Great value compared with other chards. — 9 years ago

Gae Saccoccio - NdC

9.5

Domaine Jean Chartron established in 1859 owns 13 hectares of vineyards - 16 appellations - 9 of which being in Puligny-Montrachet. The soil is a mixture of clay siliceous sand and lime components. 40 years the average age of the vines. Hand harvesting, neither herbicides, nor chemical pesticides are used in the vineyards. Behind the alchemical balance of the wine aging (élevage) in the woods, at the source of the new oak barrels there's always Allier and Vosges.
Even though 2011 in Burgundy's one of the most premature vintage in 300 years, I must admit that this bottle of the monopole Clos de la Pucelle was astonishingly crisp, persisten texture, a solid core of broom in bloom blowing up in your mouth, a shiny flow of mineral essence. Sourness and honey they were so well blended to spread the unity of opposites all over the go-between glass among you the others around and the wine.. though one bottle was a too much little thing! http://www.bourgogne-chartron.com/ — 9 years ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.5

Pronounced aromas of blackberries and violets. Full bodied and well balanced. Lush rich flavors and vibrant at the same time. Drinks excellent now and can definitely age. — 10 years ago

C

9.0

2007 vintage. — 11 years ago

Giampiero Nadali

Wine Blogger Aristide

9.0

From one of the smallest appellations in Sicily and Italy too: Contessa Entellina DOC. Cabernet Sauv. 100% from low yields. Red fruit at nose, with light balsamic hints. Dry taste, typical "green" notes of this variety (not perfectly mature at the harvest?), nice and balanced finish. Very good. — 12 years ago