Little John Wine Company

Gramercy Cellars

John Lewis Walla Walla Valley Syrah 2008

Shay A
9.3

93-94 range

Hard to believe this is a 17yr old WA state Syrah. 100% varietal, all from Les Collines vineyard. 13.9ABV

Sporting a deep purple color even at 17yrs, this feels like it is just now entering prime time. Big aromatics of peppered smoked meats, whole cluster/green herbs, red and blackberry fruits. Floral and balanced with fruit but spices/herbs in the background. Where Cayuse (and all Christophe Baron/Rocks district) wines trend to the savory/sanguine profile (which I enjoy), this balances the dark fruit, smoky/charcoal, savory/spice driven side of Syrah in its typical rustic/feral profile. Nice bridge between cool climate New World Syrah and ripe vintage Cornas. Finish is more vibrant and less requiring of food as the CB wines do.

Followed over three days and shockingly held up. If you have a bottle, open and enjoy but no immediate rush.
— 6 days ago

Joseph, Tom and 19 others liked this

Rustenberg

John X Merriman Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2007

8/2025. Very nice cab Merlot blend. Nice flavor and finish. Nice on the palate. — 2 months ago

Ted, Robin and 1 other liked this

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1975

Medium deep garnet with a terracotta rim . This has some sous bois , earthy tobacco , coffee grinds , herbal touches , cedar and dried currants . On the palate this is quite dense and classic in profile , still quite a lot of tannin , sous bois , cedar , some cassis , tobacco and a little herbal. Quite stocky and chunky . Medium length , and balanced acidity . This is still quite dense on the palate , with grippy , slightly rustic tannins . Probably just past peak , but will hold over the next 5 years or so . Tasted at Hedonism Wines , London …. No label on the bottle ! — 3 months ago

Dave, Tom and 16 others liked this

John Duval Wines

Entity Barossa Valley Shiraz 2017

A perfect balance between oak and fruit (blackberry) from this Barossa Shiraz. Great winemaking from John Duval who has quite the CV. John was Chief Winemaker at Penfolds from 1986 until 2002 being only the 3rd custodian of Penfolds Grange after Max Schubert (creator of Grange) and Don Ditter. In 2020 this wine received Shiraz of the Year and 99 points from the James Halliday Wine Companion. The product of old vines in the Barossa. Luscious but in balance and overall - delicious. — 2 days ago

Aravind, Shay and 14 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

John is a very nice guy and an excellent Winemaker. Tasted with him at Taste of Barossa in 2018.

Nickel & Nickel

John C. Sullenger Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Deep ruby. Plenty of spice with cocoa and oak. Very interesting. Mediums tannins. Another great Nickel & Nickel wine. — 3 months ago

jesus, Robin and 5 others liked this

Produttori del Barbaresco

Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2020

I can sit and sniff this for 20 minutes without taking a sip. Tonight I'm pairing it with a little Chicago deep dish and the Drive By Truckers. — 3 months ago

Dave, Pooneet and 19 others liked this
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

Such an excellent producer!!
Dave

Dave

Consistently good! @Doug Powers

Foxen

John Sebastiano Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021

2021 vintage. Medium body. Plenty of earthiness and frontal fruity chunk that both set the tone and hung out all day. Foundation good but back-end finish, while definitely there, lacking the oomph that other vintage/versions have thrust out there. Vineyard getting replanted currently and will be completely out of the Foxen pantheon in the near future. Other (SRH) vineyards stepping up and in. 09.03.25. — 2 months ago

Tom, Pinotman and 8 others liked this

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 1995

Great Beaucastel, dark fruits, still a little structured, long finish, excellent!! — 2 months ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Tom, Dave and 7 others liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2024

Clear, deep ruby in color; on the nose, it's clean with pronounced primary and secondary aromas of black currants, black plums, and cedar. On the palate, it's dry, medium acidity, high tannins, medium alcohol, medium body, and a pronounced intensity of primary and secondary flavors. It tastes like blackberries, eucalyptus, graphite, and black cherries with a long finish. This wine is a little off balanced (the eucalyptus flavor is a little too intense), complex, and intense. Overall, I would rate it as very good. Nellie liked it with steak. — 3 months ago

Nellie Bauman
with Nellie

John Duval Wines

Plexus Shiraz Blend 2019

[45% Shiraz, 32% Grenache, 23% Mataro] Rich, ripe dark and red fruits, nicely balanced, ripe tannins, drinking very well tonight, medium-long finish, very good, and should age another 5+ years! — 4 months ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Tom, Dave and 5 others liked this