Jay Kline

9.5

Presented to me double-blind. The wine pours a brilliant, deep ruby color with a transparent core and some rim variation; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and faint signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with a heady perfume of mostly ripe and some tart fruit: mixed brambles, black cherry, purple flowers (lavender?), animale, some pepper, a touch of olive, a touch of leather, some green herbs, fine warm spices and rocky earth. I believe this has seen oak and it’s beautifully balanced and smells expensive. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Alcohol is medium+. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the texture is grippy. This is delicious.

Initial conclusions: this could be Sangiovese, Pinot Noir, Gamay, a Grenache-based blend or possibly Syrah; from Italy, or France. Immediately after I was presented the glass, I liked this being Sangiovese, however, there was too much new French oak for me to feel comfortable. Besides, the florals were too purple to be Sangiovese anyway (never mind Grenache or Pinot Noir). Then there were the non-fruits: it could be justified by whole cluster Pinot or Gamay…or was this a really impressive Syrah? This wine seemed familiar to me. This could be Chave. I did think this had some age based on color and rim variation. Final conclusion: I’m calling this Syrah, from France, from Northern Rhône, Hermitage, with 20+ years of age, from a decent vintage like 2004. And for the hell if it, I called producer: Jean-Louis Chave. Boom. Bottle No. 3981 — 14 days ago

Albert Phelps

9.1

Delicious. Smooth and full bodied but not overly powerful. Great finish. — 4 days ago

Arecibo Message

8.9

Been hanging on to this for 12 years; yikes. From Jason at Solano Cellars. At La Posta in Santa Cruz. Not quite past it yet! But waiting for the character. Tight on nose, not too past it lacking perspective so far. — a month ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.3

Medium ruby , quite wide medium ruby garnet rim . This is quite aromatic , with earthy sous bois , violets , black pepper , garrigue . On the palate quite elegant and dark fruited , bright acidity and quite strict tannins . Good cassis, blackberry , menthol touches , sous bois , grafite finish . This is ready and drinking well but will probably continue at this level for another 5-10 years or so. At Drouant Restaurant, Paris . — a day ago

Conrad Green

9.4

Intense. BlackBerry and a touch of tar. Iron and minerality. Dried herbs. Savory and powerful and young. Great — 15 days ago

with David and Walker

Rob DeShane

9.5

2001: so silky! A wine that has so much complexity and the smoky meatiness and mint was so intriguing! Just wow! — 20 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

Another great one showing finesse & elegance with black cherry, berry, spice, crushed rock, licorice, graphite & violets — 7 days ago

Conrad Green

9.5

Intense dark fruit with a bright hit of acidity. Very clear and pure. Iron, Salinity, a hint of sweetness. Expressive and complex. Still young — 15 days ago

with Walker and David

Conrad Green

9.7

Ooh. Super fresh. Dark tangy fruit with a slightly medicinal edge. Plum and iodine. Dried herbs and a bloody, feral intensity. Amazing — 15 days ago

with Walker and David

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2022 vintage. Steady Crozes-Hermitage performer. Medium-heavy bod. Two years+ should find this firing. 06.11.25. — a month ago