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. — 10 years ago

Gary Huang

9.5

let it air for sure before drinking but so good. so bold, strong, structured. hints of olive, dark berries. a bit of cocoa and definitely tad bit citrus yet full bodied. — 11 years ago

Tom Kobylarz

9.9

My 4th bottle, the best and my last, this absolutely killed it and is why I love Napa Valley Cabernet, especially #Spottswoode. 12 years old this easily has another 10 to go but is in a beautiful place right now. Open or decant for 30 minutes, though I did not decant. A deep resold color, not a sign of brick as one would expect. Shows the importance of provenance (bought from winery). A complex set or aromas and flavors of creme d'cassis, currants, sweet and sour cherries, sweet cedar, and graphite. Palate wise the textures are all in alignment, with medium to full body, ample acidity and medium grain slightly chewy tannins that may be it's only flaw. #2002 — 12 years ago

Greg Gregory

9.4

A remarkable wine, a bit like many ‘45’s in its power and concentration. And while those who are after some more of the La Chapelle structure may be disappointed (and I have sympathy with aspects of the assessment), this is such an full expression of fruit and terroir, that I can really only cheer. Plums, orange zest, pepper and currants on the enticing nose. The palate is awash in luscious, sweet fruit, soy tinged, with melting tannins, round and soft, pure velvet past the mid palate, and it finishes with gusto, batons twirling, with layered exuberance and appealing length. — 10 years ago

david decker

9.5

Restores my faith in Beaucastel. not the barnyard funk usually there but delicious, balanced, dark stewed fruit, a bit of earth and woods. Already sad it will be gone soon.... — 11 years ago

Chris Tyler

9.3

2012 - HT to @Lyle Fass for bringing these in. So light in color it was almost a rose. Pine needles and resin on the nose. Nice medium plus body. Delicious and unique! — 12 years ago

Alder Yarrow

Wine Blogger Vinography

8.9

Great but not as amazing as it should be. — 13 years ago

Michael Horkay

9.4

Here is a wine that will outlive the big names of 1990. The Shaffer was youthful beautiful and could easily go another ten to fifteen years. This would easily be confused with a saint julien Bordeaux. Just simply silly with hints of tobacco and cassis and some minor lead pencil notes.... Just honoredv to try it. — 10 years ago

Ryan Carey

Founder Wine Confidential

9.4

This wine rocks. Though this is usually one of my two favorite Orin Swift wines (w/ Palermo), I was very pleasantly surprised by the 2013 Papillon. I get mint and espresso and oak followed by dark fruit and a little chocolate. And if you know anything about me, I pretty much love all of those notes, so it is no surprise that I love this wine. Surprisingly approachable right now, or drink over next couple years. — 11 years ago

Marisa Reisman

9.2

I picked this wine, so clearly I like it. Fun Pinot because it is made by the Wagner family from Caymus, so a Pinot nurtured by a cab expert — 12 years ago

with Levon, Adriana and 2 others