I tasted various separately vinified lieux-dits that will eventually curate the 2022 L'Hermitage. Both the L'Ermite and Les Bessards, the cuvée’s backbone, show terrific structure, finesse and complexity. I am totally taken by the sheer beauty of the L...
Bottled in June, 1997, this profound Mouton is more accessible than the more muscular 1996. A blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 19% Merlot, it reveals an opaque purple color, and reluctant aromas of cassis, truffles, coffee, licorice...
2000 Latour is a contender for wine of the vintage, a majestic First Growth flirting with perfection. The nose is backward and demands coaxing from the glass, eventually revealing intense black fruit, cedar, graphite and very subtle Japanese nori aromas. ...
I was very much looking forward to the 2004 Viña Tondonia Blanco Gran Reserva, the next vintage of this wine after the spectacular 2001. 2004 was a perfect climate year. This is a developed white that was matured in well-seasoned, neutral American oak bar...
The 2021s here are certainly strong wines in the vintage. The 2021 Saint Joseph is a healthy dense ruby/purple hue and offers textbook Saint Joseph aromas and flavors of black fruit (there's a hint of red fruit as well), graphite, ground pepper, and some ...
Leading off the 2022s, gorgeous red and black fruits, spice, pepper, and bouquet garni define the 2022 Saint Joseph. Very focused and layered on the palate, it shows medium to full-bodied richness and elegant tannins. It's very much in the sunny yet struc...
Deep, bright-hued violet. Highly perfumed, mineral-accented cherry liqueur, cassis, candied licorice, incense and black pepper aromas show outstanding clarity and floral lift. Stains the palate with intense black and blue fruit, smoky bacon, star anise...
Among the finest expressions of the 2021 vintage with finessed ripeness and understated polish. Earthy and salty offering sanguine animal notes and well-integrated white pepper freshness. Cashmere tannins are softened yet still keep a gentle grip on the f...
As with the 2020 L'Hermitage, I tasted this wine in its components, shortly before blending and bottling. This vintage is highly successful at Chave, and this wine, which would qualify as the gateway bottling made from estate fruit, looks to be outstan...
Original sale price $179