Shay A

9.3

I picked up a couple C-H wines last month and this is my second bottle to open following Jaboulet’s Thalbert.

Followed over two days. 91-92 initially, finished at 92-93. Still some room for upside, so scoring accordingly.

From start to finish this was undeniably a more enjoyable wine than the Jaboulet. Day one was a potpurri and floral overload aromatically before ripe dark fruits and green herbs shut it down hard with a wall of tannin at the finish (similar to the Jaboulet). Day two showed what this wine is evolving to be…a softer aromatic profile but so much depth on the mid-palate with lavender, charcoal and dark berries before a finish of black peppered meat. The wine feels well balanced by acid and tannin and the alcohol isn’t obtrusive. Not quite crunchy, but bright and powerful. Lovely C-H from the Chapoutier team. Could cruise another 5+yrs in this same drinking window. — 3 months ago

Vanessa

9.4

Damn. This is delicious and in an amazing spot 😍

It has effusive aromas & flavors black cherry preserves, dried fig, prune, rose, graphite, coffee grounds, blackberry bramble, licorice, leather, tobacco, peat, clove, star anise, cardamom, cured meat, black peppercorn, wet earth, mushroom, potting soil, balsamic glaze..

On the palate it’s dry with high - barely so - alcohol (14% ABV). The acidity is lovely and energetic. Tannins are silky and well-integrated.

100% Syrah from Hermitage hill, biodynamic and lower intervention in the winery. Textured and deep.

Delicious !!!!

— 7 months ago

with Deked1

Monique Blanchard

9.4

Great nose. Smooth throughout — 9 months ago

Nathan Smith

9.1

Nice mineraly effervescence upon opening—crisp, clean, tart, grapefruity. Good stuff! — 5 years ago

Jonathan Salky

9.4

Consistently great. Every vintage and/or vintage I’ve ever had. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The nose reveals; sweet vanillin, ripe, blackberries, dark cherries, floral blueberries, creamy, blackberries & black plum skin. Black licorice notes, granitic soils, light tobacco leaf, dry stone, light fresh herb notes, dry brush, soft leather with fresh red/blue and violet flowers.

The entry is ripe and juicy and evolves into big, dry, powdery tannins with deep, dark spice that sets on the palate with heat. Ripe, blackberries, dark cherries, floral blueberries, creamy, blackberries, black & plum skin. Black licorice notes, vanillin, granitic soils, light tobacco leaf, dry stone, light fresh herb notes, dry brush, soft leather with fresh red/blue and violet flowers. The acidity is like rainfall. The elegant, ripe, lush, polished, well balanced finish is delicious. Very luxurious mouthfeel.

Photos of; their vineyard during harvest, the granite soil structure of their vineyard, Our host, Sophia Hawkins and their Cellar Door facilities. — 7 years ago

Octavio Gonzalez

9.2

Muy buen caldo. — 4 months ago

JKT

9.2

Very nice well aged Cdp with everything well knitted together — 7 months ago

LMM

9.9

Nickee loved it — 7 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Napa Pioneer Tasting! #respect
Happy Birthday to me.
All of these wines still improved with some air. — 9 months ago

Nagib Nasr

9.3

Just what the doctor ordered — 10 months ago

Mike Foley

9.4

One of the best chards I’ve tasted and I’m a Pinot fan of Brewer Clifton. I am going back for more. — 5 years ago

Tree Kilpatrick

8.9

Ruby burgundy color. Jammy and fruit forward with berries and some spice. Smoky and a hint of umami. Rhubarb and strawberry. Tart cherry pies. Nice acidity with a hint of wet rubber or something in the palate. A tasty and unique southern red. — 6 years ago

Ivor

9.1

This wine is drinking very well now after some years of ageing. Fruit depth of dark raspberry and cherry, a bit of smoke, pleasant herbs and a bit of oak. Good complexity and intensity, Lapierre lives up to its status on this one. — 4 months ago

Vino Joe

9.3

Lovely weight and taut. Mellowed sweetness with good length and a nice bit of pop on the end. Classic. — 6 months ago

David Peifer

9.2

As a nod to Karen (who some will remembered worked at Louis M. Martini decades ago—and is the nicest and best person to ever work in the wine industry) we opened this for my birthday. Paired it with a Tri Tip. It was a nice pairing. Good cab. It was better a couple years ago but still nice to drink for a special occasion. — 8 months ago

Ed Chin

9.3

A super solid NRhone. All the telltale signs meaty/savory with dark fruit in an elegant package. My only issue was the intensity. Maybe asking too much. — 9 months ago

Meredith W.

9.2

Light, crisp, sweet — 5 years ago

Narelle Burke

9.8

A beautiful red from Rhone valley! One of my favourite French reds. — 6 years ago

George Chen

9.3

14 drinking near peak of mature brightness and silky tannins - really balanced front to back...I really love Melville! I think it’s the most underrated winery in the US likely! Really expressive and nice pure fruit! — 6 years ago