Gilles Barge, Cote Rotie, Le Combard

Basically in my pre 2026 marking I d have given a 90/91 to that wine but I truly believe it doesn't fit in now Nose is closed first, and the wine sees a bit light, or aged, ... the opens up in decanter with red cherry, earthy notes, and very very little smoke or pepper... Palate is good, but not very powerful nor complex, here, it is a bit weak for the area and the vintage which I usually love …

Wet sneakers/mouse fur Reeked of the inside of a pet rodent cage. Bizarre. Revolting nose out of bottle. Pristine cork

Robe d'un joli violet. Nez sur les fruits noirs, un peu lardé, tapenade. En bouche tanins encore un peu présents, aromatique très sympa avec une légère acidité qui tient bien le vin. Relativement complexe, et cela devrait s'améliorer.

Flowers and cherries are what you initially notice before finding all the ripe, red plums, smoke, and olives in the perfume. Fresh, crisp, and refined on the palate, the elegant tannins seal the deal. Drink from 2022-2037.

Meh

Had the typical Syrah markers of olives, game and meaty notes. Was a little tight at first but on the second day developed more red fruits. Liked the precision and purity on this, very classic northern Rhône.

Pure nose of red fruits (cranberry, red currant) and violets with very very slight hint of meaty funk and spice. It is very pure in the nose and on the palate, kind of muted or shy. On the 2nd day I have got bit more of funky meaty spice, hoping it will develop in red fruited spiced delight with refreshing acidity. 5-10 years of patience required.

Dark fruit with a hint of cranberry, earthy and smoky, silky and elegant. This bottle was quite approachable. Very good for the price.

Couleur Bourgogne. Nez vanille. Vin frais, délicat. Fait penser à un Volnay plutôt qu'à des Syrahs rhodaniens. Du classe.

M ruby N: m intensity nose of fresh red fruits, brined olives, ferric earth, garrigue herbs and a floral note similar to violet P: M+ tannin, H acid, full body, very intense, M alcohol. Really rich and decadent yet lean and precise. Flavours of red fruits, roasted meat, fresh herbs, brined olives, and a slight earthiness. No bitterness, fine and beautifully integrated tannins and beautifully fresh, drinking fantastically now but will age well for the next 5-15 years. Excellent, possibly …

Totally shut down

Lots of character here, black olives, tar, burned soil, herbs. Lean structure, dark fruited, smoke, tea and meat. No hard edges, smooth tannins, this is enjoyable now but could will develop nicely with age, I think. I love this style of Côte-Rôtie.

This has character, real Côte-Rôtie feel. Co, black olives, tar, tightly wound wine; concentrated, yet very elegant - and very young. tasted over two day, much better on day two. #from HSA#champagnetasting

More Rhone, north and south (La cave du Théâtre Clermont Ferrand France) : Sadly a little corked... bad luck... otherwise it started well again with that one :)

Very subtle wine, 93 % Syrah and 7 % Viognier, at the opening a hint of mango and fruity character quickly taken over by stronger perfumes. Not untypical Syrah Rhone Nord, but more on a Burgundian style, nice violet scent, with hints of pepper, smoked meat and granit... flinty wine, palate is juicy and tannins are soft, balanced wine, elegant and yet strong aftertaste, salty, lard, long finish, will be 93 soon... great wine again... that winery is on the …