Archives: Product Reviews

Woocommerce product reviews

Five Vertical Tastings (Jul 1999)

Good full dark red. Roasted aromas of currants, animal fur, pepper and smoke. Silky on entry, then closed in the middle palate, with some edgy acidity giving it a somewhat disjointed quality. In a rather roasted southern style; its slight green aspect and excess acidity in conjunction with its suggestions of surmaturité indicate that the…

Five Vertical Tastings (Jul 1999)

Moderately saturated medium red. Maturing aromas of grilled game, smoke and vanilla, along with a lively floral nuance. Sweet, bright red fruit flavors supported by sound acidity. Has more vivacity than all but the finest 1985 Burgundies. Chave says this is just embarking on its plane of peak drinkability and will become even suppler with…

1999 and 1998 Rhone Valley Wines (Jan 2001)

Full ruby. Subtle, extremely complex nose melds cassis, bitter cherry, licorice, menthol and gunflint. Great purity and class in the middle palate, though extremely young and not currently showing the texture of the unfinished ’99. But this is utterly compelling syrah, finishing with superb length and extremely fine tannins for the vintage. The ’99 may…

2004 and 2003 Rhone Valley Wines (Jan 2006)

Now we take the monster out of his cage, Jean-Louis warned me before pouring this. Inky, almost black in color. Elemental, hugely concentrated and powerful on the nose, which slowly unveils aromas of dark cherry liqueur, blackberry, cassis, espresso and a deep note of sweet tobacco. Impossibly rich and dense on the palate (the yields…

2003 and 2002 Northern Rhone Wines (Jan 2005)

From Beaumes: Ruby-red. Superripe aromas of black cherry, gunflint and spices. Sweet and liqueur-like in the mouth, with an almost jammy ripeness. But this very powerful, lush sample saturates the palate and lingers impressively. From Peleat, with a bit of Rocoules due to the tiny volume in 2003: Saturated medium ruby. Currant, minerals, tar and…

2005 and 2004 Rhone Valley Wines (Jan 2007)

((tasted from tanks, awaiting final blending. #1) Explosively floral, with remarkable purity and a strong licorice tone. #2: Spicier sample, with strong cherry pit and graphite on the palate and a bright, zesty quality. #3: Solid and chewy, with strong bitter cherry, dark chocolate and tobacco qualities (this batch gives the wine its skeleton). #4…