Gilbert Van Hassel

9.5

Gonon always succeeds in creating stunning Syrah’s from his granite soils. Wine is amazingly alive and totally in balance. — 11 days ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

The 22 Burgundies are as good as advertised. Maybe, better.

Time in the bottle will tame the lemon in this bottle. It needs it.

Green & golden apple, Meyer lemon to chiffon, lime pulp, overripe pineapple juice, white stone fruits, tropical melons, cream, saline, sea fossils, chalky pulp, limestone pulp, light caramel notes, honeycomb, cream, spring flowers, excellent viscosity & round acidity, elegance, round lush balanced finish that lasts a full minute. Even better in 3-5 years. One of the best Bourgogne’s I’ve had to date.

Merry Christmas! 🎅🎄🎁 ❄️ ⛄️ — 21 days ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.4

The latest genius but still a bit closed from the journey. — a month ago

Mario Zillner

9.5

June 2024 disgorgement; would’ve preferred to pop this +12 months (vs. 6), as it would certainly benefit from some time. A grower BdB favorite; of course made from 100% Chardonnay, coming from several Grand Cru villages in the Côte des Blancs. The Cuvée de Réserve is a blend of more than twenty vintages, dating back to 1988 (via the solera method)! Peters considers this their “flagship” champ, even at the NV price point.

Firm upfront with a rather long finish. Sharp acidity; strong lemon, pale stone fruit, orange zest, and young tangerine notes. Medium body with pillows to carry you through. Steel vs. wood. 12% ABV. Simply delicious. — 16 days ago

Brendan Baker

9.1

Lemon, matchstick reduction, Granny Smith apple, med acid ✨ — 4 days ago

Shay A

9.3

Every time I have a wine from Pierre Gonon, I know it’s going to hit every note I’m looking for. These wines are absolutely delicious and are exactly what I love to drink.

First time with a slightly older bottle of Iles Feray and I’d say this is in the perfect zone. Very much in the vein of the StJo with the dark florals and herbal aromatics (just stemmy enough to show it’s there, but not as much as the StJo). Peppered raspberries and blackberries, green stems on the mid-palate. Great texture/weight. Granite and iron show early on. Tannin structure is in the middle ground…holds everything together but isn’t a beast. Not as layered as the StJo, but still so enjoyable to drink when wanting a beautiful, pure expression of Syrah.

Followed over a few days and stayed consistent. I’d buy a bunch of this if prices for these wines weren’t as high as they’ve been the last few years. — a month ago

romo

9.2

Additional 3-5 years in your cellar will do wonders. Classic sh!t. — a month ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

Rich, dense with floral, lemon, orchid fruit & crushed rock showing good balance — 4 days ago

Vanessa

9.2

Here’s to exploring Fixin AOC, the northernmost appellation of the Côte de Nuits in the Côte d’Or of Burgundy!

Fixin is home to 6 premier cru climats including Clos Napoléon. It’s primarily known for its Pinot Noir (approx. 96%) but also produces Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc.

Fixin rouge wines are sometimes compared to its neighbor to the south, Gevrey Chambertin AOC, but with a lighter body and profile. It can be a great source of value in an increasingly expensive region.

Tonight, we’re enjoying the 2019 Pierre Gelin Fixin rouge 1er Cru Clos Napoléon.

Clos Napoléon is also a monopole, owned exclusively by Domaine Pierre Gelin today. It’s a small but prestigious vineyard, situated on a hillside slope, with old vines dating back 70 years!

This property used to be owned by Claude Noisot, the surgeon to Emperor Napoléon, and the vineyard was formerly called “Aux Cheuzots.”

Claude Noisot renamed the property “Clos Napoléon” in honor of his famous patient and hired a renowned sculptor to create "Le Réveil de (the awakening of) Napoléon” – a nearby statue, featured on this label.

As for this particular wine, it’s beautiful! It’s medium ruby in color. Its bouquet is perfumed and layered with notes of black cherry, mulberry, boysenberry, pomegranate, red plum, fennel seed, fennel fronds, chervil, licorice, clove, cooked morel mushroom, wet earth, vanilla, and saddle leather. The palate is lively with bright acidity and smooth, polished tannins. The alcohol has a delicate warming presence and the finish lingers. — 22 days ago

with Deked1

Doug Griffin

9.2

Apple, butter, earth and some sticks — 22 days ago