Ian Staub

9.0

Give this 2 hours minimum in a decanter - it’s shy at first but opens up to a really beautiful and varietally accurate cab franc expression. Ripe red and black cherry, freshly turned potting soil, green pepper, slightly horsey. My wife, who has a more sensitive palate, was turned off by the extent of barnyard here - I was more than happy to drink the bottle on my own. :)
Enjoyed tonight with a roasted Cornish game hen, prepared in the Zuni style, with sautéed brassicas and broiled polenta. Two more in the cellar - drinking great now but I’ll try to hold them for a couple years to see where things go. — 4 days ago

Ian Staub

9.0

I’m a believer in terroir, but this wine, which is an absolute ringer for Chablis, throws everything in question. If this were grown at Rorick with its limestone that would make sense, but semillon from the Napa valley floor? Out of the bottle it’s quite lithe, showing lemon and a bit of seashell minerality, but with an hour of air it begins to show some crisp apple and white stone fruit, and some white flower. Lovely, unusual wine. Enjoyed with grilled salmon and salad. — 12 days ago

Ian Staub

9.1

Incredibly vibrant and alive, but with impressive depth and complexity. A perfect house red for richer fare. Would love to locate some more! — 24 days ago

Ian Staub

9.0

Was lucky to grab a few bottles for less than $15 on WineBid - i really enjoyed this salty, peachy, floral, textural and honeyed white from the Cote Catalanes. At 6-7 years it’s still drinking beautifully. Would love to try it fresh! — 8 days ago

Ian Staub

10

This bottle brings me right back to the beginning where I fell in love with Gideon’s work. Highly concentrated, intense, sappy texture that sticks to your gums.
Juicy ripe black summer plum, black cherry, blood orange, fresh fennel, pomegranate, purple flowers, tomato leaf, black pepper. Extremely complex and extremely delicious.

Still a strong backbone of acid and fruit persisting through the long finish. Tannins are fully resolved. Completely clean after a couple minutes to air out the bit of Brett and VA (which I expect and embrace with these wines).

I was ready to start popping all my remaining Clos Saron bottles thinking they were starting to decline, but a bottle like this could go forever. There is definite bottle variation at play, and the off bottles can be a bit muddy and dull. But when they hit (which they usually do) there’s really nothing like it. — 12 days ago

Ian Staub

8.9

I really like this bottle. It’s fun and flirty but also has plenty of intrigue. Citrus zesty and bright with some texture (and a beautiful color) from some skin contact. A touch of beneficial VA really ramps up the mouthwatering quality of this wine. I’ll buy this again this summer probably, hopefully to share with some friends outdoors! — a month ago

Ian Staub

8.9

I attended the Raw Wine Fair the last two years and these wines always made an impression in the large tasting format. I was able to bring back a bottle from Paris (I never saw them in the states) and am happy I did. The spicy, aromatic red fruit (and it’s velvety texture) from the Grenache speaks most assertively here, while the Syrah stalks quietly in the background. Nice bottle enjoyed with a spicy dry-rubbed and grilled NY strip. Outclassed by the Cantina Giardino aglianico if I do say so. — 10 days ago

with Alex

Ian Staub

9.2

Beautiful - savory and rich and rustic. — 10 days ago

with Alex

Ian Staub

9.0

Light and crispy, with some honeyed quality from age. While it’s amazing that a lithe wine like this can perform after 10 years, I’m not certain I necessarily prefer it to a fresh bottle or one with a couple years of time. Enjoyed with a dozen raw Hog Island Sweetwater oysters, my first shucking experience. — 22 days ago

Ian Staub

8.7

Juicy juice. Fun and carbonic, great for chugging outside in the park or on the front porch. Drink quickly, big mouse energy on day 2! — a month ago