Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.6

Glorious nose of fresh woodshop shavings, dried cherry and dried roses plus smoke and wet earth. Also tree bark. The full mature nebbiolo symphony in effect. Cigar, tobacco, and so much more. This is singing. Some fresh mid season cherries are emerging with some coaxing. Gorgeous loamy minerality. What a nose. 9.5 nose for now. Juicy palate with high acidity and. blend of early season and sour cherries. Stunning purity and finesse. This is so so classy. Now with air the nose is getting layered and more complex. Tbis is a 9.6 now. Wow this is amazing. The finesse is top notch and the fruit is youthening up as it airs. Benjamin Button wine! Velvety tannins and sweet and sour cherry fruit. Complexity explosion on the finish. Simply stunning. After 24 hours the nose is riper but also has complex tertiary aromas that are very floral and loamy. Really so clear and vivid. So juicy and clean and wonderful finesse and unreal fruit. Maybe the best fruit out of all of these vintages. 9.5 to 9.6 overnight. — 3 months ago

Severn Goodwin

9.3

No notes, a quiet celebration for my wife and me as I have successfully ticked another box in the years-on-planet category today. Feeling older...I think.

Cailleze-Lemaire Eclats, Lot No. 0514; A newer bottle than what was previously in the cellar. I'll capture notes on a future bottle. Palate seems a little subdued from prior lot, perhaps more time in bottle is deserved.

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On the Lawn at Tanglewood this evening with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Our Conductor Anna Rakitina (BSO’s Assistant Conductor) is leading Elena LANGER (Figaro Gets a Divorce, Orchestral Suite), RAVEL (Piano Concerto in G) and ELGAR (Opus 36, Enigma Theme). The soloist for the piano concerto tonight is none other than Jean-Yves Thibaudet, our absolute favorite pianist (or piano-player as Emanuel Ax has been noted to say because he thinks the traditional term sounds funny when spoken), a never-to-be-missed event for us whenever he plays these hallowed grounds. (In 2004 Jean-Yves served as president of the Hospices de Beaune, factoid for any wine nerds who are also classical music nerds.) — 3 years ago

Amanda Thomas

9.2

An old standard in our household. Velvety smooth, rich juicy berries. Glad we can purchase Freakshow even at Costco in TX and have a solid, boozy Cab at the ready. — 3 years ago

with Tim

Dawn E.

9.0

Excited that we had Temps in the 40's today, not bad for Iowa! Rated previously.. showing hazelnut notes now! A relaxing Sunday; musical enjoyment "Gòrecki Symphony No. 3. — a year ago

Jeremy Pollard

9.4

Smooth, full bodied but elegant, mix of red and black fruit, baking spices, a little cola aroma, tannins fine and playing a background role. — 2 years ago

with Sam

Severn Goodwin

9.3

Prior notes still apply, delicious bottle.

Nose has toasted brioche, grilled lemon, warm lemon creme, lemon zest, oxidized pear slice and fresh, rising bread dough. Palate has lemon pound cake, cold toast, limestone chips, dried lemon slice and (light) candied orange.
Great mid-palate, a restrained richness is all elegance, acid balance is perfect and not pulling you one way or another. At 15 years past vintage, a great example of finesse in Champagne.

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On the Lawn at Tanglewood this evening with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Our Conductors Andris Nelsons and John Williams will be leading a very engaging program of Jessie MONTGOMERY (Starburst), John WILLIAMS (Violin Concerto No. 2, world premiere featuring Anne-Sophie Mutter!), COPLAND (Quiet City) and STRAVINSKY (Suite from The Firebird, 1919 version). We're getting the luxury of enjoying Mr. Williams two nights in a row...what a great weekend of Contemporary music! — 3 years ago

Catherine Leith

9.3

Full of fresh raspberry and blackberry balanced with toast and spice. Similar to a fruity pinot noir. — 3 years ago

Brad Jensen

9.3

Silky yet tannic and beautiful. Still young, give it another 5 years and it’ll be a symphony. Drank with brisket at Christmas dinner! — a year ago

Severn Goodwin

8.9

Nose has yellow apple peel, pear slice, straw and beach sand.

Palate has tangerine zest, ripe pear, under-ripe yellow peach, cold clementine orange with medium acidity and slightly dry finish.
A nice bottle; not sure if this wants more time, or a couple years past prime...

On the sold out (18K+ patrons) Lawn at Tanglewood this evening with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Our guest Conductor Ken-David Masur is leading a 90th birthday celebration of John Williams. BSO soloists tonight are J. Williams Hudgins (vibraphone) & Jessica Zhou (harp), joined by Yo-Yo Ma (cello), Branford Marsalis (saxophone), Eric Revis (bass) and James Taylor (vocals/guitar). A truly wonderful night lay ahead, and my money is certainly on hearing at least one or two Star Wars movements this evening... — 2 years ago

Daniel Sullivan

9.0

Brilliant straw color.
Light muscat aromas and honey.
Crisp fresh acid driven palate. — 3 years ago