Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

Blend of Grenache (70%), Syrah (20%) and Mourvèdre (10%). Dark ruby color with a garnet meniscus. Aromas of black berry/cherry fruit, purple flowers, leather, garrigue and dried herbs. Flavors of dried blackberry and red and black cherry fruit, tobacco, black pepper, red and black licorice and a bit of smoked meat. Medium-plus body and finish. Plus acidity, nice structure and nicely smoothed out tannins. Well aged and hitting its peak. Appreciate you opening this one, Ron B! — 15 days ago

Joe DAscoli

9.5

2 hour decant. Shredded cork. Filtered the wine.

Wow. This was just gorgeous and smooth. Tannins very well integrated and the fruit was excellent.

One of my favorite vintages with some age — 14 days ago

Charlie Tapp

9.2

Strawberry, red candy, plum and eucalyptus. Feminine and polished.

Drink now. — 5 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Medium Ruby color with aromas of ripe black and red fruits and smoky spice. On the palate flavors of cherry, plums and ripe red berries with herb, licorice and smoky pepper spice. Fine soft tannins with, medium+ finish ending with fruit, mushroom, tobacco and earthy notes. — 11 days ago

Ken Venezio

9.0

100% Syrah. This is a very inexpensive Cotes but 2019 was a banner year. Velvety and full bodied. Notes of black cherry, graphite and cocoa powder. Medium tannins brings a decent finish. Nicely paired with a spicy grilled chicken. — 5 days ago

Jan A

9.5

Paired with stamppot boerenkool and stamppot zuurkool. Traditional Dutch food. Comforting! — 9 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2005 vintage. Decanted and tasted immediately and over the course of 4 hours. Medium body with a continually morphing nose. Super-impressive bouquet throughout the night. Overt fruit fallen off the framework and replaced with secondary attributes/complexities. @Bill Bender remarked twice about a lack of “heat”since the usual CDP ABV range seemed underwhelming One might think that would present issues but, rest assured, it did not. Great wine possibly at its’ zenith/top of the bell curve and living its’ best life now. Backed up the hype and then some. Tied for WOTN along with the 2006 Krug Clos du Mesnil Champagne (missed a picture for that one) for both myself and @Shay A 09.21.25. — a month ago

with Shay and Bill

Joe DAscoli

9.2

Used the Durand on the cork - soaked to the edge. Decanted for 2 hours.

This wine had some gaminess. Smooth. Fruit was a bit wild and overpowered by the savory flavors.

Paired well with the chicken skewers and onions. Needed complex flavors in the food to pair well.

Good but quite a bit below the Beaucastel — 14 days ago

Brad Jensen

9.1

A rich golden color and medium body, the wine is young, but already showing maturity and refinement. A strong nose of yellow/golden fruit compote or pie filling, peach cobbler I think, with a hint of cinnamon, white grape juice (from concentrate), and maybe some hint of leeks towards the edges. The palate is silky smooth, creamy, with energy though pulsing between the notes of whipped cream, rich yellow fruit spread, but also some mineral dryness to the edges, and a finish of dried apricot and peach. I’d let this age a few years, let that sweetness smooth out, and then relish in its refinement. — 18 hours ago

DCH

9.2

What you would expect, but just solid. Not as expressive when first opened, but it picked up a bit. Nothing mind-blowing, but very very solid. — 4 days ago