Beaucastel's 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape is shaping up as a blend of 30% each Grenache and Mourvèdre, with 10% each Counoise and Syrah, plus 20% other permitted varieties, including a healthy proportion of white grapes. Complex and red-fruited, with hints of flowers and garrigue, it's expansive and richly textured on the palate, finishing long and silky. May 2022 Week 1, The Wine Advocate, 5th May 2022, Joe Czerwinski
Readers will note that the score range I've provided for Chave's 2020 Hermitage is much broader than typical. That's because my ratings for the numerous barrel samples tasted varied considerably, with one lot scoring as low as (91 - 93), while others were near-perfect (98 - 100). I should be able to provide a more precise picture following my next visit, but it was clear to me that—even more than usual—much will depend on Jean-Louis's skills at selection and blending. From the soft, elegant and red-fruited Péléat to the commanding, dark-fruited and mineral-laden Bessards—and the silky, finesseful and raspberry-laden Le Méal in between—there's no doubt a fine expression of Hermitage will eventually emerge from Chave's cellars. Wine Advocate, Jan 2022, Joe Czerwinski
The rating and review of the 2020 Saint Joseph is a composite based on tasting several lots—Chalaix, Dardouilles and Bechasson—from barrel. With aromas that range from violets to rose petals, garrigue and licorice, plus fruit notes from raspberries to blueberries and cassis, it should prove remarkably complex, backed by ample concentration and ripe, silky tannins. Wine Advocate, Jan 2022, Joe Czerwinski
I have scribbles on seven different components of the 2020 Cote Rotie in my notebook, and that is just a fraction of what lies resting in the deep Jamet cellar. To generalize and predict what wizardry Jean-Paul Jamet will conjure out of bottle is a bit of a fool's errand, but overall, I found the 2020 samples to show ripe, dark-fruit flavors balanced by graceful aromatics. Generally, the wines are medium to full-bodied, with supple, silky tannins and good freshness. The Wine Advocate, Jan 21, 2022, Joe Czerwinski
Tasting through several parcels/barrels, the 2020 Cote Rotie Terrasses looks to be a solid effort, marked by slightly vegetal notes up front and almost sherbet-like red fruit flavors. Medium to full-bodied, with decent texture and length, it should be approachable young, with the ability to age at least a decade. The Wine Advocate, Jan 21, 2022, Joe Czerwinski
Still in barrels at the time of my visit, Jean Gonon blended a representative sample for me to review. The 2020 Saint Joseph is classic Gonon, with a complex nose of crushed stone, violets, cherries and blueberries; a palate that's medium to full-bodied, concentrated and tannic yet silky; and a finish that's vibrant and long. January 2022 Week 3, The Wine Advocate, 21 Jan 2022, Joe Czerwinski
The dark-fruited, plummy and cola-scented 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape is a rich, full-bodied effort reminiscent of the 2007 or 2009. Dense, powerful and savory, it may drink well for a short time on release, but expect it to close up shortly, only to reemerge in several years. There's ample concentration and sufficient tannins for the long haul, with a long, dusty finish and hints of licorice that bode well for the future. Wine Advocate, May 2022, Joe Czerwinski
Bottled in late July 2021, Chave's 2019 Saint Joseph boasts copious floral scents of violets and lavender set against a backdrop of purple raspberries. In the mouth, it's medium to full-bodied, with a wonderfully rich yet silky feel and plenty of airy, refreshing length on the finish. It should drink well on release and for at least a decade after that. Joe Czerwinski, 21st Jan 2022, Wine Advocate
Gonon's 2019 Saint Joseph retains the typical floral signature on the nose, but it is more dark-fruited than usual, with notes of black cherries, blackberries and even black olives. It's medium to full-bodied, the first vintage recorded over 14% alcohol, according to Jean Gonon (14.2%). Concentrated, rich and velvety in feel, it boasts a long, gently chewy finish and should age well. January 2022 Week 3, The Wine Advocate, 21 Jan 2022, Joe Czerwinski
A four-barrel selection from Gérard's primary lieu-dit, the 2019 Cote Rotie Le Mollard includes 7% Viognier. One-fourth was vinified as whole clusters, while the élevage was in a mix of new (25%) and second use (75%) barriques. Marked by a hint of vanilla and subtle spice shadings on the nose, the wine delivers ripe cherry scents as well. It's medium to full-bodied, a bit richer and deeper than the blended Cote Rotie, yet also silky and quite long on the finish. The Wine Advocate, Jan 21, 2022, Joe Czerwinski
Chave's 2018 Hermitage is another in a long list of legends to emerge from this meticulously run estate. Showing remarkably complex aromas of pressed violets, ground cloves and cracked peppercorns against a backdrop of cassis, blueberries and licorice, it's a super effort. Full-bodied, concentrated, rich and velvety in feel, it's seamless and long—just the complete package in a wine that's surprisingly approachable, yet should prove capable of aging effortlessly for two decades or more. Joe Czerwinski, 21st Jan 2022, Wine Advocate
The medium to full-bodied 2018 Saint Joseph Le Clos Florentin comes across as a bit tight and closed at the moment, so give it a couple of years to relax before popping a cork. There are still hints of intriguing floral notes, plus a mix of plum and raspberry fruit, and ample concentration and length on the finish, so it should be a good bet for those consumers with a bit of patience. January 2022 Week 3, The Wine Advocate, 21 Jan 2022, Joe Czerwinski
It's never easy to prognosticate how the final assemblage will turn out, but I tasted eight different lots of the 2018 Cote Rotie, the least of which I rated (92 - 94), with some as high as (95 - 97). Overall, the wines are very ripe (le Plomb clocks in at over 15% alcohol), with supple tannins but also adequate freshness. Together, the result should be a full-bodied, rich yet lively wine, with notes of violets, hickory smoke, black olives and cassis. Based on past experience, I'd expect this wine to look firmer out of bottle than it does presently, with two decades or more of cellaring possible. December 2019 Week 3, The Wine Advocate, 20th Dec 2019, Joe Czerwinski
The 2018 Saint Joseph les Oliviers Blanc is approximately 80% Marsanne and 20% Roussanne, all barrel fermented and aged almost entirely in used oak (there is one new demi-muid in the mix for the 2018). It's impressively rich and honeyed, with sweet, fruity notes of grilled pineapple balanced by hints of white pepper and brighter citrus notes. Full-bodied, creamy and lush, it remains lively and fresh on the finish—a wonderful paradox that the Gonons seem able to bring out in all of their wines. End of January 2020, The Wine Advocate, 1 Feb 2020, Joe Czerwinski
