Shay A

9.2

92-93 for me.

Consumed half bottle at pop, then corked for another 4hrs before consuming the rest. No change.

What a beautifully elegant and refined ‘09. The highest compliment I can give this is that it was a simplistic joy. Some wines make it easy to get nerdy and command your attention…some wines are underwhelming and not worth your time. This was squarely in the middle. It was a joy to not feel the need to overthink…it’s exactly what it should be. No bricking at almost 15yrs. Decidedly black fruit heavy (black currant, cassis, underripe blackberries) with a sprinkling of raspberries and black cherries. Aromas of sweet pipe tobacco, dark florals. Integrated on the palate with good structure and acidity…not a massive wine, but it put on a bit of weight/length the longer it was open. Still sporting a fair bit of tannin at the finish, but it’s balanced. Drink or hold. — a month ago

Shay A

9.2

I debated giving this a NR for its rating as this tastes like a wine that is made to taste a certain way rather than a wine made to express its region, but there is a tasty factor in play. Bordeaux blend. Michel Rolland consulted on the winemaking. 2nd vintage.

This is real suave and sexy in style, but I could see this being from a multitude of places. Ripe and decadent fruit that seems to just now be calming down 13yrs later. Mostly red and black fruits (black cherry compote), and cherry vanilla pipe tobacco both aromatically and on the palate. Stops short of being hedonistic, but the mid palate is dense. Finish brings some currant and herbal flair to tie back to Italy. Tannic but not a monster.

Decanted an hour and finished the next day, it didn’t experience much change. I’d consume these in the next 3-5yrs. — 2 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.2

Still youthful & mostly primary that did not change much over the 3 hours opened. Notes of dark berry fruit, earth, spice & underbrush. Would hold for several more years. — 2 years ago

Seiji Takeuchi

8.9

I normally don't buy Bordeau wines, but for a change. Deep dark wine red. Oaky with tannin, and dark fruit note. Decanting should make it better (I just don't care much...). Cericiers means cherry trees, according to google. Should have noticed the cherry. — 2 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2020 vintage. A fave California white. Not a daily drinker for most of us but a refreshing change every once in a while. In the running for my favorite CA (non-Chard) white. Medium body verging on medium-heavy. Beautiful richness and acidity living together in sin. Would like to taste one of these after 8-10 years. 3.20.24. — a month ago

Aaron Tan

9.1

“Remarkable when good. Almost always rustic. Let’s see how the bottle opens up tonight.”

DC’s comment pretty much sums up my somewhat limited experience with the wines of Lorenzo Accomasso, and evidently this bottle has done little to change our opinion. While it was certainly the most complex number of the night as it was constantly evolving with air, the level of volatile acidity in the 13’ Riserva Rocche dell’Annunziata was really testing my limits. Having said that, if my more extensive experience with the wines of Musar is of any relevance, this is bound to do a Benjamin Button and freshen up with another decade in the cellar.

Opened some 5 hours before our tasting session, it was all dark and brooding in the first pour. Plums, mocha, spiced meat, and leather aromas, all enveloped in a rather pesky sheen of acetone. Subsequent pours seemed to bring more elegance with aromas of dark red cherries, licorice, dusty rose petals, and even hints of iodine developing. The acetone note was somewhat tamer later in the night, though still very much discernible. The palate mirrors the nose - all dark fruits, leather, tar, sweet spices, and a touch of VA warmth at the start; more red-fruits, licorice, and heaps of black tea by the end of the night. Concentrated and beautifully textured, with fine yet austere tannins. Overall, a bottle I’m grateful to drink and ponder, but best to keep others under locks for another decade. — 8 months ago

Aravind A

9.5

Pop and pour, notes from 2 hrs open. This btl is disappearing quickly bc it is so yummy. Intense nose of dried lemon peel, stone and peach skin. On the palate: mind-blowing, absolutely electric acidity, stone, lemon oil, sour peach and sea salt. Mouth-wateringly good. Fantastic density on the very bright finish. Yum! While at this stage I still prefer the '14, that is going to change as this seems like it has the power to age for a while. — 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Presented double-blind at Tasting Group. In the glass the wine is a pale straw color with a silver rim. Medium viscosity with no signs of particles or gas. On the nose, the wine is very expressive or grapefruit, lime, and lemons withs some grassy, herbal qualities, yellow flowers and flint minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with acidity that I perceive as high. Confirming the notes from the nose. Finish is medium+. I don’t get any obvious use of oak…it would have to be extremely judicious if at all. Initial conclusion: this could be Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Albariño or maybe even Chardonnay from France, California, Germany or Spain. But I don’t get the petrol thing I associate with Riesling and it’s missing the white flowers and lanolin for Chenin. Not enough salinity for Albariño and the acid just seems too high for Chardonnay, even from Chablis. I think the structure is the key here. Final conclusion, this is a Sauvignon Blanc, from France, from the Loire, from Sancerre, 2020 vintage. Welp…at least I was in the right ballpark! This was a wine full of energy and one I would be happy to drink again. Drink now to enjoy its lovely fruit and acid. As a side note, it’s becoming harder and harder to find distinction from Old World and New World (which is probably why the CMS has stopped using the terms altogether), particularly with Sauvignon Blanc. A combination of climate change and winemaking has certainly blurred the lines.
— 5 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

A light gold in colour. A very different nose. - a caramel liqueur note originally - I have a feeling the nose on this will change frequently over the next few hours. Flinty, white florals, an oxidative note. Very fresh on the palate for a 16 year old wine. 86% Semillon and 14% Sauvignon Blanc. Certainly a wine that benefits from and is made to cellar. Robert Parker gave this 98 points and said it should last 30 years in the cellar. I can’t see it myself as the lemon citric acid has diminished greatly at this point. Obviously this is White Bordeaux Royalty and very pleasing but not for the stupid price I paid. One of the 1001 Wines. The next night I noticed the viscosity on the palate and a honeysuckle note. Oak is integrated. Certainly an experience but dreadful QPR. — 2 years ago

Bobby Gilbane

9.9

Whatever day was today, that’s the day to open this wine. That’s my main take away. You could squirrel this away like some sort of miserly bastard waiting for the winter king to slay your enemies but who the F has time for that shit. Get on with your life, share this divine juice with as many people as possible so long as it’s no more than 3 and change the whole trajectory of your month. — 2 years ago