Wines (12 View)

Winemaker's Notes:
Petite Sirah is known for its concentration and intensity, the 2015 vintage is no exception. Inky purple in the glass, this deeply colored wine resonates with juicy blueberries and hints of freshly turned earth. Succulent and savory notes of dark berries and roasted spices create a supple and mouth-filling texture. Aging in American oak for 12 months captures and concentrates the flavors, leading to a finish with chalky and chewy tannins laced with vanilla, toasted brown sugar and dark cocoa.
Pairs well with smoked lamb shoulder with rosemary, braised short ribs with blackberry barbecue sauce, and smoked Gouda cheese.

This deep and rich Hermitage, from a family run operation, displays smoked cherry and berry plus dark roasted coffee, iron and red meat on the nose.? On the palate the wine is exceptionally chewy, with cassis, orange rind, and chocolate notes backed by bacon, iron and smoke tones. Excellent acidity and density make this is well-structured Hermitage worthy of additional aging to fully reveal itself.? Decant for at least an hour to serve now. - PJ

90 points Wine Spectator
This shows a hint of warm cast iron amidst a core of juicy plum and black cherry fruit, finishing with light sanguine and bay accents on the succulent finish. For fans of slightly sauvage Syrah. Drink now through 2023.

90 points James Suckling
Very glossy and gently meaty nuances here
with a briary red-fruit core. The palate has a succulent, juicy and very attractive feel and a
sleek, fresh, crisp and inviting palate.

100% Syrah from the Northern Rhone.

Organic

Co-fermented for 12 days on the skins, with sparing punchdowns before being pressed off. Primary fermentation finished in stainless steel and then moved into neutral french oak barrels.

About 80% Syrah, 15% Roussanne, and 5% Marsanne.

#21 On The Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines Of 2022!

93 points Wine Spectator
There’s a lot to admire in this medium- to full-bodied red. Opens with a whiff of chrysanthemum and smoky game, while the palate is rich, creamy and built around juicy black cherry, blackberry and acai flavors that are well-spiced. Finishes with great length around firm but integrated tannins, showing notes of ground ginger and chocolate. Drink now through 2026.

Jaboulet's Ventoux Les Traverses is a classic southern Rhône blend of Grenache (80%) and Syrah (20%), from 35-year-old vines. Vines are grown on clay and limestone soils at the foot of Mont Ventoux in the southeast part of Rhône Valley - the very heart of the Ventoux appellation. Fermentation is in stainless steel to preserve its lovely bright fruit and freshness. Subtle note of espresso within the black cherry and plum fruit in this medium-bodied le vin. Good structure bridges the gap between fresh upfront fruit and the soft chewy tannins. The wine shows great balance, the hallmark of good winemaking, and an impressive finish for such a moderate priced wine. Although Grenache dominates the blend, this displays more of a Syrah character. Incredible value!

The historic french producer Paul Jaboulet built their reputation in the northern Rhone Valley with the wines La Chapelle Hermitage and Thalbert Crozes-Hermitage, but today we are taking a trip to the south for our new find - Paul Jaboulet Ventoux Les Traverses Rouge 2018.

This wine makes a serious case for the best buy in the store, with our sale price at only $8.97 a bottle!

Ventoux is a large mountainous wine region in the far Southeast of the Southern Rhône region, 30km to the east of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, on the border with Provence. In an area roughly 30 miles from North to South, the AOC Ventoux is made of 51 villages on the foot of the Mont Ventoux (1,909 meters above sea level), with a unique intermediate position between the Mediterranean and the Alps. On the western slopes and foothills of this iconic mountain are the vineyards of this appellation.

The Mont Ventoux mountain (often referred to as the "Giant of Provence") stands alone from the Alps mountain range - which it is technically a part of - and towers over the landscape for miles around. For fans of biking, Mont Ventoux has been the scene of one of the most grueling climbs in the Tour de France bicycle race. Its fame as a scene of great Tour dramas has made it a magnet for cyclists around the world.

The wines made in the Ventoux appellation are very similar to those of the Côtes du Rhône and employ much the same combination of grape varieties. The classic southern Rhone red grape varieties of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre are used in the production of most of these wines.

The name of Ventoux Les Traverses comes from the dry-stone walls which support the earth and protect it from the significant erosion where a strong wind, the Mistral, blows throughout the year.

Spending 18-24 glorious months aging in used bourbon barrels from legendary Pappy Van Winkle, old vine fruit shines through with aromas and flavors of blueberry liqueur, blackberry, black cherry and peppery spice. Then there is a graceful segue into wood smoke, brown sugar, vanilla, and sweet spice that frame all of that ripe and savory fruit very nicely. Super full bodied and full flavored, but smooth and silky on the palate, this is probably about as close as most of us will get to Pappy van Winkle. -PJ Wine

Organic

97 points Wine Advocate
The 2021 Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard is a perfumed powerhouse! Opaque ruby-purple, it has a concentrated core of cassis with touches of tar, thyme, grilled meats, menthol and bitter chocolate. The full-bodied palate is ripe and concentrated with surprising freshness for its style. It has a pleasantly chalky frame and a very long finish replete with violet perfume. This hedonistic Syrah could use another 5+ years in bottle to unwind and will be long-lived in the cellar.

94-96 points Vinous
The 2021 Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard is one of the highlights among the 2021’s I tasted from Joey Tensley. Vibrant and driving in feel, the Colson Syrah is endowed with tremendous character. Blue/purplish fruit, gravel, incense, menthol and lavender all take shape as the 2021 shows off its striking beauty. There is so much to look forward to.

Organic

94 points Wine Advocate
Medium to deep ruby-purple, the 2021 Syrah Santa Barbara County has lush cassis and blueberry aromas with touches of tar and citrus. The medium-bodied palate is chalky, fresh and perfumed with a long, floral finish. This is incredibly drinkable!

This wine is both powerful and fresh. It beams with bright acidity and saline notes, rounding out with blue and black fruits to make it generous, juicy and easy to drink. It will age 7-10 years, but do not hesitate to open and enjoy its freshness today. - Winery