Jason Gelman

9.4

first time dining at Chef Vola. 2020 is great but needs air to open up. even 2 hours wasn’t quite enough to show. felt a bit closed to me but still very enjoyable. — 3 months ago

Maggie Harrison

9.7

2022, figgy, plum with undertones of bacon at first open. very elegant and soft on palate. beautiful. about 4 hrs later- decanted. change? more mineral, tannins are showing more now than at opening. dried fig, meaty. bolder fruit on back end of palate thru the finish. iron on finish. drinking great but more time would certainly be better. — 5 months ago

Joe Flo

9.7

Great balance fantastic fruit hints of lemon peel. Just drinking fantastic. — 6 months ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Opened prior to dinner and enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The wine 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 notes of ripe and desiccated black and red fruits: mixed brambles, Flintstone vitamins, spiced meat, olives, purple flowers, black pepper, dried herbs, rocky earth, a mix of cool and 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. Similar to the 1997 we tasted alongside, with all of the same notes except this brought back the familiar Flintstone vitamins that I have encountered in La Mouline from the past. The structure was also more substantial. I preferred this to the 1997 tonight…but I’m splitting hairs! — 6 months ago

Jay Kline

9.9

What a special treat to have an entire flight dedicated to the one and only Noël Verset. All three wines were opened prior to dinner and serially enjoyed over the course of a few hours. Stylistically, all three wines were similar and most importantly, sound! The 1998 pours a garnet color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with ripe and slightly desiccated, wild red bramble berries, dried purple flowers, cracked black pepper, black olive, garrigue, spiced meat, coffee, old leather bound books, exotic eastern spices and inorganic earth 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. Bro…this bottle left me speechless. It has all of the things I could possibly want in Cornas plus, it has the staying power of Barry White. For me, this was the wine of the flight (and WOTN), overshadowing the more heralded 1999 and giving more than the relatively demure 1992. Drink now through (???). This has the characteristics of an immortal. — 7 months ago

Brad Jensen

9.4

Musk, Holly berries and bramble, pine needles, iron, velvet, driftwood, hints of coffee and bold red meat. There’s berries in there, red, lush, ripe and dark, but it’s so well integrated into the perfume (and it is perfume) that it’s impossible to separate them. Like a thin spread of preserves and dank basement. Palate has that lean nature of Syrah, between medium and light bodied, tannins present, but molded well into the palate, not ostentatious. Lush, silky dark red and black fruits roll forth, along with some charcoal, graphite, blood, and iron. — 7 months ago

with Tiva

Timothy Eustis

Wine Director, Red Lion Inn

9.2

There are two kinds of st Joseph. This is one of the good ones. Long finish. Complex. Quite serious. — 2 years ago

Tim Edge

9.3

Could sit on it for much longer but tastes great now if you give it time to open up. — 10 years ago

Max Coane

9.4

Not as bombastic as the last bottle but delicious for sure — 12 years ago

Conrad Green

9.6

A great bottle. Intense and deep fruit. Plum and iodine with a hint of leather and blood. Such a consistent wine and many years ahead — 3 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.0

vintage 2015 | spicy, pepper, morelcherries, strict, good acidity — 5 months ago

Jake Hajer

9.2

Clean fruit. Mixed peppercorn. Tasty old world Syrah. — 6 months ago

romo

9.4

Anti-roast, all tart cherry and white pepper, gentle tannin, faint horse hair. Wow. — 6 months ago

Ming L

9.3

Aromas of ripe apricot, honeyed peach, and white flowers are layered with subtle hints of hazelnut, spice, and subtle tropical fruits. The palate is lush and rich yet never feels weighty, and offering stone fruit, candied citrus, and a touch of minerality. The long, harmonious finish leaves notes of almond and soft honeysuckles lingering delicately. A mature, refined Condrieu at its expressive peak. — 6 months ago

Jean-Phillippe Landry

9.1

Fantastic! — 10 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

M. Chapoutier “Monier de la Sizeranne” Hermitage Rouge 2020, Rhône Valley, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A classic Hermitage Syrah sourced from several parcels including Les Bessards, Le Méal, and Les Greffieux. The vineyards combine granite and clay soils that give the wine both structure and richness.

Aromas & Flavors
Raspberry, blackberry, and cassis are complemented by black pepper, licorice, and subtle smoky notes.

Mouthfeel
Elegant yet structured with concentrated tannins and a long, spicy finish.

Food Pairings
Venison, roasted beef, duck, or aged cheeses.

Verdict
A refined Hermitage Syrah that captures the balance of power and elegance characteristic of the appellation.

🍷 Personal Pick
A beautifully structured Hermitage Syrah that showcases the depth and elegance of the appellation with impressive balance and complexity. — 7 months ago

Ericsson

9.0

WEST3 London. Very good wine. — a year ago

Nate Miles

9.3

Northern. F’G. Rhône. Syrah. Feralironybloodyoliveydeliciousness — 7 years ago

Patrick Culliton

9.5

Vanilla covers the fruit, great with chocolate. — 11 years ago

Nick McGlaun

9.0

Great blend! Tried it a few times - pairs well w/ steak & also went well with Italian dishes (pizza, veal or meat based pasta dishes w/ red sauce). Tried 2011 and 12: I prefer the 11 but both are great! — 12 years ago

"Odedi"

9.2

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Dark ruby in color with a purple rim.

Beautiful nose and medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing red and black fruits with cedar, licorice, chocolates, herbs, light earth, spices, tobacco leaf, dark coffee and light green vegetables.

Spicy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This iconic Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Santa Cruz Mountains in California is still very young, but already delicious, even by itself.

Needs a few hours to open up properly, and will continue to age nicely in the next 30 years. Showing good potential to become a 95+ point wine.

A great sipping wine that paired beautifully with my Lamb chops.

A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Aged in American oak barrels for 20 months.

13.8% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$300. — 3 months ago

Shay A

9.5

94-95

This was one of the wines I served for my annual WWC hosting. All wines served blind.

93 syrah/ 7 viognier

The third syrah in my lineup was a wine I've enjoyed a few times over the last five years. Bangin' vintage and in a style I enjoy (syrah and vio). Purple-black in the glass, it offers up killer aromatics of rich, dark fruit, some baking spice, and smoked meat. Even with nearly four hours, this was a monster in structure with tannin that paired beautifully with an herb crusted lamb rack. Powerful on the palate with smoked berries, bacon, espresso, vanilla and a savory finish. Still on the upswing with lots of wonderful Cote-Rotie fireworks in store. Wish I had another! — 5 months ago

Harvey Raben

9.6

Still strong with bramble fruit herbal characteristics that flow into a long finish. For a 43 year old this is spectacular example of Syrah in the northern Rhône. Complexity without off flavors from aging. — 6 months ago

John Malcolm

9.0

A lovely wine. Luscious cherries, plums, vanilla, mocha, and some cedar. A great wine for the price. Stag’s Leap always makes consistently fine wines. — 6 months ago

J Choi

9.3

Should decant. Finesse. — 7 months ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.6

Birth year! One of the best vintages for this wine, and 91 is showing amazing—rich, savory, satiny and ultra complex. A tour de force. If I was blinded I’d guess 20 years younger! — 7 months ago

Conrad Green

9.4

Gorgeous pear and bright lemon. Minerals and salinity. Great focus. Excellent — 8 months ago

with David

Nicole Nicolaus

9.8

Tannic initially, but better after some time in a decanter. Dark inky blackberry flavor and wonderful structure and body. — 4 years ago

Ben Giardina

9.1

Great juice! — 10 years ago

Piera Caminiti

9.4

Sensazioni olfattive attenuate colore Rosso rubino particolarmente intenso, ingresso in Bocca morbido e fresco, sensazione gustativa che parte da una prugna rossa e si evolve in sfumature vegetali; scarsa persistenza. — 12 years ago