(60-70 year Syrah, oldest 1934, near Pigeonnier, used cask, always very ripe, low acidity wine) ****(*) deep robe. Black fruit and violet mix in a weighty nose that shows reduction, the fruit combines blackberry and cassis, it seems. The palate has a thick, consistent fabric, with round, intense, gummy tannins that retain a floral, lighter note. Charming on the finish. Not a Big Boy Year. “It is round, structured, but not in a mineral style,” Thiérry Allemand. 22 years. (a mix of Chaillot, Tezier, Moser and Genale, 1920s, 1960s Syrah, used cask) ***** thorough dark purple-black robe. Has a floral-violet air, a big floral presence with a gleaming blackberry fruit alongside it – an inviting bouquet here. The palate has an orderly, sweet touch flavour with sparky tannin entering towards the finish, taking up a mineral baton. This has very good central palate fruit, with flair and lift on the violet, mocha finish. Good wine – pedigree, style. 21 years. (Reynard, ex Noël Verset, 1908-09, 1930s Syrah, chunky granite) ***** full, dark robe. Square, robust aroma with a roasted outer air, good, deep blackberry fruit present. This is the heart of the wine: it holds racy fruit, has a full couch of tannins with crunchy definition and smoked, bacon-style moments. There is good gras here, and a deep note of beef stock. Fresh and abundant wine. 24 years. OVERALL ***** plenty to get tucked into here: the wine has good core, a true lining of tannins, and is fresh - pretty good portents, thus. It will take its time to meld and will be showing extremely well around 10+ years of age. It will live well: to 2034-37. Nov 2012, www.drinkrhone.com
Score: 99-99/100John Livingstone-Learmonth, Drink Rhone
Incredible florals and fragrance here. Alluring dark cherry and plum fruits with a dark, meaty and slate-like stony edge. The tannins are exceptional, very long and very deep, delivering a plush palate with a firm, deep-set plum stone finish. Drink now. Sep 2017, www.jamessuckling.com
Score: 96-/100James Suckling
Opaque purple. Spicy, highly perfumed aromas of cassis, blueberry, candied violet and smoky minerals. Densely packed, fresh and delineated, offering energetic flavors of black and blue fruits and floral pastilles. Shows a restrained sweetness on the finish, which features slow-building tannins and a strong echo of minerality. This wine was scheduled to be bottled about a week after I tasted it from its holding tank. Mar 2014, www.vinous.com
Score: 93-94/100Josh Raynolds
