Pop and pour on this one. Served with Beef Stew on a cold, rainy Summer night in Seattle. Not sure I’m ready for Fall with the exception of wine and food pairings.
Dark crimson in color. 13.6% ABV. Spellbinding nose of red fruits, olive brine and smoked meats. Medium body with exquisite acidity. Cherries, gamey meats, saline and minerals on the palate. Exceptional length on the finish. Such a unique wine with a profile that really seems to be specific to the Rocks District. Best over the next 2-4 years.
Nice note Tom, I think in most vintages I would take the Armada over the Frog, and I’m pretty sure I’m not alone with that opinion. A slight difference of opinion, this will be in a great drinking window beyond the next 2 to 4 years. I could see almost any Armada going to 20 with ease.
The Armada does have this timeless quality where it is great on release and might very well drink beautifully for 20 years. It would be fun to try some 20 year old Cayuse. It never lasts that long in my cellar.
The oldest armada is 2003. I have one of those left. Think I will wait until 2023 to open it to see what the twenty year mark is like. I am of the firm opinion that most of Christophes syrahs can easily go 20 years, and in my opinion benefit from substantial bottle age. But as others have said they can be quite good young too!
Yes. The 2000 to 2003 coccinelles are pretty special. Those and bionic frog are the oldest I have. But there are some lay 1990s around as well. Might be fun for Christophe to do a 20 or 25 year retrospective.
Looks like Cailloux vineyard came on line in 1998 as Cobblestone vineyard for 1 vintage. I haven’t read that many great notes on the late 90s bottlings.
Thanks for the note Tom. I have not drank any of my '12’s.
As far as a 20 year drinking window I am a believer. My oldest bottle is a an '07. the last bottle of the '07 I drank was in '18 and it was frigging delicious.
