Much better in bottle than when I tasted from the barrel in May last year. Back then it was green and mean with extremely harsh tannins. One year later this ugly duckling has completely transformed. Opens reductive, showing massive chocolate notes that I don’t prefer. Given some air, the classic Gonon blue fruit and violet aromas emerge. After 2 hours in carafe, the wine opens on the palate. Really beautiful acidity coupled with low alcohol (12.5%) and a saline streak makes for an extremely fresh Northern Rhone. That said, it is still unmistakably Rhone. Not ready yet, but if you must, decant ahead of time to avoid disappointment.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Because the '21 Pierre Gonon Ardèche Les Iles Feray was so compelling, I popped this open soon after.
It was a mistake. Do not follow my lemming trail. This has not come together.
I'm honestly not sure of the bones here ('21 was a tough vintage), but it's not worth opening now for the current pleasure available, so hold 'em if you got 'em and cross your fingers.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Another lovely rendition. This was popped and poured. Rather fruit driven, definitely some olive brine but minimal volatility and somewhat soft structure. This is going to be a great vintage to drink early while more brooding years mature.
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Two weeks in France; 4/12/2024-4/24/2024: Similar impressions to when I had this with Pierre at POB HK. A more approachable vintage that showed the usual Gonon elegance and restraint, combined with the classic northern rhone markers of blue fruit and savoury olive notes.
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
By the bottle at Le Mermoz in Paris. Definitely way too young but actually with a little decanting quite drinkable already. Nose is lovely, savory black olive notes, plums, black pepper, hint of cherry jam. Palate is fresh, drinkable, lighter bodied, more black olive, brine, violets, cherries, savory herbs, earth. This is wonderful now but I think it would be truly excellent in 10-12 years. But hey, drink it if you can afford it that’s my motto : )
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Professional reviews have copyrights and you can view them here for your personal use only as private content. To view pro reviews you must either subscribe to a pre-integrated publication or manually enter reviews below. Learn more.
5/2/2024 - chngpw Likes this wine: 92 Points
Much better in bottle than when I tasted from the barrel in May last year. Back then it was green and mean with extremely harsh tannins. One year later this ugly duckling has completely transformed. Opens reductive, showing massive chocolate notes that I don’t prefer. Given some air, the classic Gonon blue fruit and violet aromas emerge. After 2 hours in carafe, the wine opens on the palate. Really beautiful acidity coupled with low alcohol (12.5%) and a saline streak makes for an extremely fresh Northern Rhone. That said, it is still unmistakably Rhone. Not ready yet, but if you must, decant ahead of time to avoid disappointment.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/15/2024 - Floral Does not like this wine: 80 Points
Because the '21 Pierre Gonon Ardèche Les Iles Feray was so compelling, I popped this open soon after.
It was a mistake. Do not follow my lemming trail. This has not come together.
I'm honestly not sure of the bones here ('21 was a tough vintage), but it's not worth opening now for the current pleasure available, so hold 'em if you got 'em and cross your fingers.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/15/2024 - jviz Likes this wine: 93 Points
Another lovely rendition. This was popped and poured. Rather fruit driven, definitely some olive brine but minimal volatility and somewhat soft structure. This is going to be a great vintage to drink early while more brooding years mature.
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/12/2024 - melvinyeowq wrote: 92 Points
Two weeks in France; 4/12/2024-4/24/2024: Similar impressions to when I had this with Pierre at POB HK. A more approachable vintage that showed the usual Gonon elegance and restraint, combined with the classic northern rhone markers of blue fruit and savoury olive notes.
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/16/2024 - mattym19 Likes this wine: 92 Points
By the bottle at Le Mermoz in Paris. Definitely way too young but actually with a little decanting quite drinkable already. Nose is lovely, savory black olive notes, plums, black pepper, hint of cherry jam. Palate is fresh, drinkable, lighter bodied, more black olive, brine, violets, cherries, savory herbs, earth. This is wonderful now but I think it would be truly excellent in 10-12 years. But hey, drink it if you can afford it that’s my motto : )
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment