Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.5

My annual bottle of the best rose on earth. Nose starts off a bit funky but the classic Simone sweet berries are apparent (strawberries in particular are there), wet hay, loads of earthy type red flowers as well. After around 10 minutes of air the nose is so good. Funk is gone and it’s just haunting. Smells like a fresh meadow. The strawberry fruit is so vivid. But that palate is just ridiculous. Super complex, super elegant and super concentrated but this is so nimble it’s damn near perfect rose. What a vintage for this wine. Wow! The structure here is remarkable and the wine has quite a bit of tannins which as we all know ensures that this wine ages better than any rose around. But because it is rose, by nature it is approachable when young. Fantastic, layered crescendo of a finish. This is to be enjoyed now or in 5-10 or 15 years.

Wow the nose is a confectionery freak show now. Only open 10+ minutes. — 9 days ago

Adriana Fabbro

9.3

There are sinful, delicious things that we rarely make time for (in our health conscious, earth conscious, super productive busy lives) like T-Bone steaks and 15% ABV Priorat. And while restraint and abstinence are good practices 95% of the year, at least 5% indulgence is necessary for good living, and the final days of a birthday week are fine times for gluttony.

The appropriately named “stairway to heaven/the gods” opens with intense, hypnotic aromas of anise/licorice, garrigue, wet slate, camp fire, beef blood, incense, mushroom, cedar, red currant, black currant; black cherry, strawberry jam, spiced red plum, and more slate (who says 15% abv wines don’t express terroir?!?!? )

My only complaint is that the palate isn’t nearly as captivating, deep and varied as the nose. Don’t get me wrong, it’s got a lot going on, it just lacks the mid palate weight and length I was hoping for after such a promising first impression. — 23 days ago

Josh Morgenthau

9.1

Stewed fruit and red candy. Nice spicy notes. A dusty violet smell. Cherries. Also some cocoa, black licorice and woody tannins on the finish. Elegant overall, this shows an expressive, not overly modern approach. While I find myself wishing it was a touch less ripe and sweet, that is the style I suppose. — 5 days ago

Doug Powers

9.0

Red and black fruit aromas and flavors, good weight and balance, this is really in a good place, should age longer but really nice maturity tonight!! — a day ago

with Jim

Tom Casagrande

9.3

I tried my first bottle of this several months ago, and since then it’s really settled down and blossomed. Light color, but the nose pops with perfumey cherry and raspberry, along with subtle notes of moist earth, spice, and sandalwood. In the mouth, it’s got intense flavors in a floaty carriage, with deep red fruit and lots of savory notes. Long finish, with a teensy bit of tannin. Alcohol in check, and enough acidity to keep the intense fruit buoyed up. Superb. If you’re a Grenache hound like me, get some of this. — 3 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Nose not giving much initially - just an earthy note - fairly contained. Probably opened a little young? The next night it showed red fruited aromatics of raspberry and strawberry. Very fine on the palate and quite delicious. The winemaker and owner Tom Carson with his French wife, Nadege, just won Viticulturalist of the year 2 days ago in the Halliday Wine Awards. They also import a range of Burgundies. In his “spare time “ Tom is also the winemaker at the highly regarded Yabby Lake. — 11 days ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.2

10 years old…lighter in color, texture, tannin, the Tablas CdP influenced blend is in a very good point of it’s development. A touch of browning, the sweet viscus weight of this Paso blend has morphed into something thinner, more complex, more balanced., more nuanced, more interesting. Worked well with simple summer take-out pizza. I love Tablas… their entire program just keeps illustrating how to keep new world conditions and old world farming principles together. Kudos, to all the folks at Tablas and Beaucastle. — 10 days ago

Dawn E.

8.9

This Rosè needs time to open up otherwise it shows a heavy floral note on the palate.@Randy Fuller you are correct; I am getting spearmint on the nose and palate! Nice nuances of nectarine, strawberries, roses and orange peel. Good acid and fruit balance. — 10 days ago

Romain Fitoussi

8.9

A solid Côte-du-Rhône, in terms of quality/price/pleasure ratio. Dark garnet-violin dress. Complete nose, intense black fruits, menthol, garrigue, mineral notes promising a beautiful relief. In the mouth it is very balanced, supple, fruity, peppery (syrah), licorice and spicy nuances with fruit and minerality. Superb for its price!

Un Côte du Rhône des plus solide, pour ce qui est du rapport qualité/prix/plaisir. Robe grenat-violine sombre. Nez complet, fruits noirs intense, menthol, garrigue, notes minérales promesse d’un beau relief. En bouche c’est très équilibré, souple, fruité, poivré (syrah), réglisse et nuances épicées avec du fruit et de la minéralité. Superbe pour son prix ! — 9 hours ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.2

Nice medium dark purple… amazing aroma of crushed strawberries, ripe blackberries, and a touch of savory rosemary. Medium weight, round, ripe, not jammy…nice hit of forest floor, crushed stone, and ‘shrooms. I’m not a huge Grenache-geek but this one works well primarily due to its restraint. I love everything I’ve tried from these guys. Nice to see Mendocino producing something remarkable apart from weed. — 4 hours ago