Domaine Saint Clair Crozes-Hermitage Etincelle

Seen better days. A bit of funk, quite drinkable but a bit dull.

Purpurfarben im Glas, Bukett nach dunklen Früchten, Schwarzkirsche, am Gaumen schlank, elegant, mit Grip, wieder dunkle Früchte, Speck, Tapenade, Graphit, sanfte Tannine, auf dem Höhepunkt

Delicious and juicy now. But of funk blew off after 30 Min decant recommended. Peak now.

Very pleasant Shiraz. Took a little time in the decanter to become a little more civilized. Nice dark Shiraz color but translucent. Notes of farm, moist earth initially and wood and first taste quite sour cherry and not very defined or complex. Medium weight, nice mouthfeel. Over a couple hours, opened up and became a beautiful accompaniment for Turkey chili and pumpkin spice cake with garrigue mixed with light red fruit and with time, the slight overacidity mellowed and more …

The nose was pretty expressive. Sweet spice came out right away to greet me, with scents of blackberry close behind. If you enjoy Syrah that's on the brighter, more tart side, you'll probably like this a lot. Slight blueberry and cranberry tastes on the tip of my tongue led to tart blackberry. The savory finish had the classic thick, oily bacon fat feel. Although there were tastes of soy sauce, crushed rock minerality, olives, light pepper and spice also. Tannins …

Meaty but lacking finesse and concentration.

Mixed French Wines (Irene's) : 4 hour decant likely helped this wine, but it's still not ready. This tasted primary and grapey.

Mixed French Wines at Irene's (Irene's House, St. Paul) : Very dark red color. Followed a glass over 60 minutes. Young, green, dense, full bodied, dark fruit, slightly savory but oh so young. Needs several years. No score. 8.5K

Deep garnet color. Aromas of charred hickory, rosemary, black raspberry, crushed stone and violets. Blackberry fruit on the palate, crunchy and crisp, with secondary stony earth, violets and spices. Medium-bodied, finesse-driven, with open-knit flavors, moderate acid and fine fleshy tannins and a juicy finish. Drinking well - a good early check-in on 2016 Northern Rhone.

Tasted blind. Deep purple, med tearing, staining. Med intensity, grilled meat, leather, black cherry, strawberry, black olive, rosemary, slight peppercorn, crushed rock. Dry, med+ acid, med+ tannin, med alcohol. Med+ complexity, med finish. A bit more fruit-forward than I'd like, but still a decent example.

I get plenty of barrel notes but less in the way of varietal character. New world style.

Violets and dark fresh fruit provide most headlines but there is a subtle pepper and smokiness that rounds out the profile. Really enjoyable now, but will be even better with time.

Opened 3 hours in advance. Nice purple color. Instant distinctive scent of blackberry even in a meter distance, some spice. Though very young very well integrated tannins, medium+ acidity. Nice spicy, meaty and peppery notes. Medium long slightly hot finish. Very nice, will stock up.