One of the wines I supplied for an annual lunch hosting (co-host this time). I was really hesitant to open this given the fanfare of this specific wine, but also how DrCrane can be an in-between wine for me (so explosive young, shut down at 5-10yrs, re-open 10+). Decanted two-three hours.
Classic deep purple-black DrCrane in the glass. Aromatics are immediate with ripe blue and black fruits, baking spices, mocha and graphite. Just a little bit of high-toned EA to make it pop, along with this roasted character I always get from DrCrane wines. Opulent and polished in every way on the palate, this is a tidal wave of flavor with no hard edges. It’s a towering wine in the sense of so much concentration and depth on the mid-palate, but it’s so incredibly polished at the finish…almost shockingly so. The ripe fruits and the dark chocolate linger longer than any Napa cab I can remember. Iron first in a velvet glove.
No need to worry, these are open for business. Plenty of structure to carry a while, but this window seems like it was made for how this wine is drinking now. — a month ago
A 90 minute decant and perfection! — a month ago
We had the 2012 Vintage on 2/14-15/25. An excellent Syray with tastes of blackberry, plum, mocha, leather and spice. As time went on the bouquet developed eucalyptus. Full bodied, New World. Fruit forward. I’m glad I gave it 13 years in the bottle. — 3 months ago
Dismissed by many as too jammy or too ripe, I’ve always thought this is the fun bottling. This ‘21 is no exception. Beneath the slightly over extracted ripe dark fruits lies quite complex aromas and flavors of figs, sweet spices, dark chocolate, smoke meat, and hint of balsamic. Rich palate but not overbearing. In a good vintage like ‘21, this can benefit for 5-8 years of bottle age.
My guilty pleasure. — 6 months ago
My continued quest to try as many 2022 Burgundies as possible.
So, after my first sip, I stopped & went to grab one of these and got the last floor bottle. This is my red burgundy wheelhouse.
The nose is somewhat subtle at this stage. But is dark, somewhat big and definitely brooding. Slightly candied darker fruits with beautiful dark, fresh & withering florals framed in violets.
The palate shows beautiful, near perfect ripe fruits of; dark cherries, plum, poached strawberries with hues of purple & blue. There are fairly pronounced tannin profiles in all this wines in this tasting. This shows more than the others. The body/mouthfeel is excellent. Dry top soils, dry, crushed rock power, dry herbs, red cola, both licorices, soft, dark spices, light baking spices, used tobacco, dry leather, a bit of lightly grilled meats, dry river stone, dry brush, bright red & dark florals framed in violets, excellent acidity and a excellent finish that is well; structured, balanced with elegance and last two-minutes.
10 plus years of cellaring will yield another two points.
— 7 months ago
Quite deep ruby , narrow ruby rim. Deep and more concentrated on the nose , with dark cassis , ripe summer fruits , dark cherry , grafite , oyster shell notes. On the palate this is quite rich and decadent , cassis , ripe blackberry , blueberry a, dark cherry . Sweet but ample tannin , balanced acidity , quite rich but well balanced , good blackcurrant, grafite tinged , length . This is showing well but will continue to do so over the next 10-15 years , perhaps longer . — a month ago
Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (54%), Merlot (34%) and Petite Verdot (12%). Dark ruby color with purple highlights. Aromas of ripe plums, black olives, dark chocolate and smoky cedar. Black cherry and plum fruit flavors lead the palate with additional hints of cranberry, black pepper, graphite and tobacco. Long, mineral laiden and smoky finish. Mouth coating structure and very firm tannins. Vibrant acidity keeps this wine pretty well balanced here in its youth. Very powerful and concentrated. Will continue to improve with more bottle age. — 2 months ago
Good flavor and went well with lasagna. — 3 months ago
Red & black fruit showing cherry, cassis, plum with mocha, spice, leather & sweet tobacco that seems to be fully mature — 4 months ago
Dark ruby coloration. On the nose, dark berry, cocoa and leather. On the palate, full bodied, dark cherry, dark berry, chocolate, and espresso. Medium tannins. Not complex, but Nice table wine. — 8 months ago
Excellent quality to price ratio!! — 11 days ago
Another excellent btl that was consistent with my prior notes — a month ago
This bottle had been opened the night before. The 2021 pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of tart and ripe black and red fruits: mixed brambles, purple flowers, olives, black pepper, stony earth and a mix of cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acidity. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and peppery. True to the vintage, this is a cooler expression of Chave’s Saint Joseph and I really dig it. Drink now through 2041. — 2 months ago
Browned butter. — a month ago
The 1999 Clos de la Roche VV pours a slightly hazy ruby color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with gorgeous notes of ripe red and black fruits: raspberry, bruised strawberry, black cherry, dried red flowers, licorice, mushroom, sous bois, all spice. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and dripping with complexity. During the first couple hours, this was pretty locked up and willing to share its secrets. Towards the end of the night, this ended up being one of the wines what really started to pour it on. My favorite pairing with the boeuf Bourguignon. Drink now with some patience but better after 2029 and through 2049 with ease. — 2 months ago
In Canada! — 2 years ago
Andrew Cullimore
Medium ruby garnet , medium garnet rim . Quite exuberant on the nose from the off , with grafite , spicy cassis , touch of dusty tobacco and spicy blackberry . On the palate this is elegant with refreshing acidity , cassis, cool
Blackberry dome mineral , oyster shell notes . Fine tannins and fresh acidity . Good red currant tinged tinged finish . Really elegant and refined , a good example of this vintage . Drinking perfectly now and over the next 8-10 years I would imagine . — a month ago