On Friday night Ian came into the back office and declared "I'm going to open my '04 Chave Hermitage Rouge" I advised against opening the bottle arguing that it would be a waste. The wine was way too young and would probably be shut down. I have had examples of mature Chave and patience is definitely rewarded. The bottle was a gift and for those of us who are lucky enough to work in the industry if you don't pay for the bottle you rarely feel guilt about cracking the bottle. Ian shrugged off my pleas for him to not make any rash moves. It was popped, poured into a decanter and off we went.

I could not wait to be cynical and jaded. I knew the wine would be closed and I could say "see I told you so, you should have waited" with great satisfaction. I can be a childish about these sort of things. At least I thought we could have opened it, given it more air time and maybe had it with a giant lamb shank.

But I couldn't be cynical, even with the depressingly bad weather of February. I poured myself a healthy glass and hide in the back office. The perfume was instantly satisfying and I knew that my tail would be between my legs for ever protesting. The nose within ten minutes was appealing and had all the signs of being terrific Syrah. Notes of cassis, black olive, anise, white pepper and minerals. The fruit was very pretty and elegant with great balancing acidity. I was shocked how lovely it was. This wine really should have been backward and austere. It had great balance and concentration, some said almost Cali like but I think it was more retrained then most Cali Syrahs. The structure was certainly present but it was integrated with the fruit quite well for being so young. And oh the minerals. An extremely well put together wine and a great example of why Chave is the king of Hermitage. The only question is, how much better will this get? Probably a lot, but who cares, it was darn tasty Friday night. Thanks Ian for sharing the bottle with all of us.

If cracking bottles '04 Chave for no reason seems a bit silly and frivolous you can always pick up a bottle Texier CDR or Edmunds St. John Syrah. Both are delicious, elegant examples of what highly perfumed Syrah can be like. And both are around the $30 price point so no guilty feeling or angry partner in the morning. Cheers all!

To my mind, the reference point Hermitage is from Jean-Louis Chave. If I were to own only one producer, he would be it. His legendary wines are, without a doubt, the most collectible bottlings from the appellation (the ultra-low production 2003 is currently trading between $600-900/btl, if you can find it).

The wine is sought out year after year due to its consistency, greatness, and scarcity. The Chave family's uncanny ability to turn out great Hermitage for the last half-century has been absolutely unmatched.

In the great 2001 vintage, Chave produced yet another masterpiece - a textbook, traditionally crafted Hermitage, now selling for $200-$300 per bottle.

Enter: Betts & Scholl

Ripe. Rich. Huge. Monstrous. But Elegant. Palate coating - teeth staining. What else would you expect from the famed Rhône Valley appellation Côte-Rôtie?

After all, it translates as "Roasted Slope." Unlike its southern neighbor Chateauneuf-du-Pape, wine from this region is nearly 100% Syrah - and I might add, this is the Syrah that defines Syrah.

The family estate of Guigal has defined Côte-Rôtie for many decades and is consistently the benchmark for all other winemakers in this region. They produce the three most revered and collectible bottlings of Syrah-based wine on the face of the earth: La Turque, La Landonne and La Mouline (collectively known as the "La-La" wines).

Chave is one of the most revered names in all of the wine world, as well as a personal favorite of Crush owner Bobby Schagrin.

Today we're offering wines purchased directly from Bobby's collection as well as two surprising recent vintages direct from the estate.

More on Jean-Louis Chave:

Back-Vintage Côte-Rôtie
2001 Guigal Côte-Rôtie Château d'Ampuis
Baby "La La's" at 50-80% Off

"A qualitative locomotive..."

That’s what Robert Parker has called Marcel Guigal.

Guigal has essentially defined Côte-Rôtie for much of the 20th Century; his Syrahs have a fierce authenticity that is undeniable.

Today, we offer a small parcel of back-vintage Guigal Côte-Rôtie. The 2001 Ampuis comes to the table with a decade of perfect cellaring and is just entering its sweet spot.

The Clape family now farms somewhere in the area of 5 hectares of vineyards in Cornas, in the most prestigious sites of the commune: Reynards, Les Mazards and Sabarotte (an old Noël Verset site). Since 1989, Auguste's son Pierre-Marie has been in charge of the estate, continuing the traditions of traditional Cornas.

THE RHONE VALUE
2009 Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape "Chaupin"
One Tiny Parcel - Incredible Savings

With prices on Janasse's 2007 Chaupin going up to and beyond $150 a bottle, we're scratching our heads a bit.

Because, today, we have the 2009 Chaupin at only $69.95. What does that mean? Up to $90 dollars off the 2007? Nearly 40% off the lowest price on the 2007? On both counts, yes.

"Stunning White Châteauneuf""
2009 Clos des Papes Blanc
Tidy Parcel at the Lowest Price in the Nation

"The 2009 Châteauneuf"-du-Pape blanc may be the finest white wine I have ever tasted from Clos des Papes." - Robert Parker

Vincent Avril has taken over the Clos des Papes estate from his father, Paul, who passed away in 2009, and if anyone ever questioned his ability to uphold the very high standards Paul set forth for this house as well as this region, the above quote should offer great evidence in the affirmative.

The Clarity of Châteauneuf
2009 Domaine Charvin Châteauneuf-du-Pape
The Lowest (Only) Price in the Nation

This might be our favorite Châteauneuf, for two reasons: clarity and structure.

Charvin's Châteauneufs are almost startling; in a region that can produce gloppy, gooey wines that are unctuous but droop over the palate like a wet rag, Charvin's wines are incredibly buoyant, clear and cut.

"The 2009 is a beautiful success."
2009 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Special Pre-Arrival Pricing!
Lowest Pricing in the Nation

Today's pricing puts the 2009 Clos des Papes at about a 50% discount as compared to the 2007.

Which is just crazy, given the quality of the wine.

In fact, the 2009 is one of the most seductive Clos des Papes of recent times, absolutely curvaceous and blanketing with beautifully ripe tannins and just a perfect sense of proportion. While Vincent Avril has said the 2009 reminds him a bit of the hedonistic 2003, keep in mind the 2009 Clos des Papes has less alcohol than the 2003. In fact, it has less alcohol than the already-legendary 2007!