Tom Kobylarz

9.8

If there were ever an archetypical Syrah, Jamet's Cote-Rotie would be a strong candidate. To me this is a pure expression of a classic Northern Rhone Syrah. It is not a single site, but a blend of terroirs, encompassing over 20 sites mostly from hard rock schist bedrock with little to no topsoil. There is NO Viognier in this wine like one might expect from most Cote-Rotie that might have 1-5% co-fermented.

Importantly, there is also a lot less of the oak character that can dominate and overwhelm many Northern Rhone wines. The oak maturation, while not short at 22 months, only uses 15% new oak with no trace of it on the palate as it is perfectly integrated. Grape bunches are whole cluster fermented and macerated for up to 3 weeks.

The 2007 we have here was drinking superbly for a young wine, showing lively and racy layers of peppercorn spice, roast beef, and warm blackberry and currant fruit from the hot 2007 vintage. While from a warm vintage, not a hair is out of place. Density and purity exude from the nose and hint at what a brilliant future this wine has. Perfect acidity and fleshy ripe tannin provide the backbone structure for father time to peel back the layers of this beauty. I will be chceking back in 5 years at the earliest. — 9 years ago

Monica Gifford

9.1

2012 vintage. Spice, berry, and mineral driven flavors come together to create a juicy, full bodied wine with well integrated notes of oak. Bright nose with perfumed aromas of blackberry and cherry. Great balance of fruit, oak and tannins. I'll be adding this wine to my rotation. This wine is a real gem for the price and is comparable to pricier Spanish wines in my opinion. Cheers! — 11 years ago

Nick Boulas

9.0

Very nice pinot noir but not traditional by pinot standards. Very clean and complex. Layers of great berry fruit and spice. Interesting textures. Very pleasant finish. — 11 years ago

Josh Brown

9.2

Strong but not too strong. So at first but then smooth. Full of flavor. Fruity with a touch of spice. — 10 years ago

Lewis Chester

9.1

2000 Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon:
From Jay. Dark ruby red in color. A preponderance of black forest fruits on the nose mixed with cedar and some menthol and a touch of spice. Rich blackcurrant, black cherries and traces of vanilla on the palette. This is a solid effort from Ridge and although it does not have the makings of an epic wine it will certainly improve with time. Drink 2017 to 2030. 91/100


— 11 years ago

Luis Arguero (@winefromAtoZ)

9.1

Amazing taste! Perfect color, perfect structure, great spice, love the fruit! Enjoy with my mochi ice cream dessert — 11 years ago

John Maltese

10

Smooth as silk. #getsome — 11 years ago

with Cindy, Sara Lynn and 1 other

mattswineworld

9.5

It's 18 months since I last tasted this, and it's developing very nicely. Dried strawberries, figs, prunes, and raisins, with fresh blackcurrants and blackberries. Very nice all-spice flavours too. Perfect with chicken and paprika. — 11 years ago

with Katie

Jimmy Smith

Director, West and North London Wine School

9.2

2011: all varieties. Meaty, lavender, garden herbs, smoky, but still very vibrant red fruit. Lovely vibrancy of red fruit and all Mouvedre and Grenache aromatics. Sweet fruit, juicy acidity, hot indian spice and liquorice. Plum, cherry, spiced. Quite ready now. — 11 years ago

Andrew Mecoli

9.6

This one's from last Summer, but had to rate this amazing 1987 La Rioja Alta Vina Ardanza. Beautiful light brick color. Cherries, spices and tobacco on the nose. Smooth as silk. Was in perfect shape and confirmed the quality and value of aged Rioja. Fantastic. — 11 years ago