Jay Kline

9.2

Double-decanted about two hours prior to service. The 2007 Galitzine pours a deep garnet color with a slightly tawny color towards the rim; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining and some signs of fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with ripe and slightly desiccated black fruits: blackberries, currants, black cherry, tobacco, chocolate, leather, earth, some vanilla and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acidity. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is long and pretty decadent. Considering the vintage, this had held up pretty well and even though it’s not really my style, it’s executed well. Drink now with a decant and through 2027. It might go longer but I don’t have enough experience with QC to understand the aging arc. There’s certainly no shortage of fruit. — 5 months ago

James K

9.2

Elevated by the vintage. Over its arc, either lacked complexity or was defined by singular characteristics. Still, great showing. — 2 years ago

with Paul

Jay Kline

9.5

Popped and poured; enjoyed over a couple of hours. The 2020 Chateauneuf-du-Pape “Colombis” pours a slightly brighter and more translucent ruby relative to Isabel's standard CdP. The nose is more perfumed and ever so pretty with primarily (though beautifully ripened) red fruit, carnations, and licorice. Confirmed on the palate with a “Dear God that is Grenache” sort of impression. A bag of Twizzlers. Medium tannin and medium acid. The finish is sexy, in a refined and mature sort of way..a bit like Susan Sarandon in Alfie. Ooof. Colombis is 100% whole cluster Grenache from from a blend of three lieu-dits (Colombis, led Roules and le Cristia); all aged in foudre exclusively. Overall, this retains the trademark elegance found in her other wines but the fleshiness of the Grenache is palpable. This is glossy, slick, impressive texture. Hard to say how this will age since I’ve seemed to struggle to understand the aging arc of 100% Grenache wines. That being said, I think this will drink very well in the near term while the fruit is so fresh. Somewhere around 2028 however, this might quiet quit on everyone…and may take some time to emerge from that to show some secondary characteristics that are redeeming. But shit…this stuff is expensive so I would drink it now while it’s so impressive. — 2 years ago

seph

9.3

2023 Finger Lakes Luca traminette, absolutely delightful. Skin contact, deep orange color, bright quince flavor with a bit of funk, just how I like it — 7 months ago

Brian Hearty

9.1

2022. Tart and funky berry flavors with a little fizz that recedes quickly. I ended up having it with some leftover chicken tikka and loved the pairing. — 2 years ago

Al Val

9.7

Crushable and tangy, light and flinty — 2 years ago

Adriana Fabbro

9.6

Cornas & cassoulet.
Oh god this is good. A middle eastern / North African bizarre of spice: anise, fennel seed, sumac, black pepper, cinnamon, black plum, maybe some cinnamon, sweet tobacco, smoke, thyme, fennel, thyme, black olive, oregano, black plum, cocoa finish.
Silky Burgundian texture. A lovely arc and finish that continues for minutes.
Everything I love about Syrah. Bottle this as a perfume and I’m buying it. — 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Wrapping up a wild weekend, I finished this bottle of Cuchet-Beliando Cornas that I opened Friday evening. It was awesome on the pop and pour and continued to develop in a lovely arc through Sunday evening when I enjoyed my last glass. The 2017 pours a deep ruby/purple with a magenta rim and what’s basically an opaque core. Medium+ viscosity and moderate staining, with some signs of sediment. On the nose the wine is developing with notes of the most pure black and red brambles, some blueberries, a bit of animale, deli case, pimento loaf, lavender, a whole Pensey’s bag of Tellicherry pepper corns, black olives, cedar and gentle warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the palate although the brambles are a bit more red. The finish is long and with loads of meat and black pepper. This is a stunning Cornas that has some real class behind the feral Cornas curtain. I really love this…but I’m an absolute sucker for the Rhône. Drink now with some patience but this will be brilliant for decades. 2024-2057. Thanks for the assist @Lyle Fass — a year ago

Steve Rura

9.5

Wow, lots to like here! Complex flavor arc. Honeyed mineral aroma, baked apple, citrus peel, saline and herbal on a very long finish. Really layered. Full, dark yellow, bordering on orange wine, dry throughout, and a touch bitter. Probably some skin contact, but not sure. Perfect for coming Fall dishes, so I’ll save my other bottles.

Follow up: it degrades significantly on day 2, even after pumping the air out. — 2 years ago

Josh Morgenthau

9.3

Honeysuckle and mint. Then just flat out zingy on the palate, really tart and long. Not an acid bomb, but definitely some fireworks. Lovely juxtaposition of elements, really satisfying arc. — 2 years ago