Her Mir Tage

9.7

1955 Giacomo Conterno Barolo (Ditta) – The "Great Emperor"

Appearance: The wine unfurls in the glass with a majestic, deep garnet core that gracefully fades into a wide brick-orange rim—the unmistakable heraldry of seven decades of life. It is perfectly clear and luminous, promising a profound experience.

Nose (Aroma): The aromatic profile is a walk through an ancient, sacred forest after the rain. It opens with a deep sense of humid earth, fungal truffle, and a subtle, refined smoked leather. As it opens, a beautiful core of blueberry compote and dried dark fruits emerges, intertwined with a complex tapestry of Chinese medicinal herbs and dried florals. It is both powerful and hauntingly ethereal.

Palate (Taste): The palate is a breathtaking journey into umami and complexity. True to the legend, the fruit has transformed into an intense medley of sweet preserved fruit (dried apricot, date). This is immediately met with a profound savory depth: a distinct salted Chinese preserved plum character provides a mouthwatering salinity, while a fine dusting of astragalus root powder and angelica root brings an authentic, warming medicinal bitterness that defines the wine’s regal structure. A hint of spicy dried ginger soda lingers on the mid-palate, adding a lift of unexpected freshness.

Acidity & Structure: The acidity is the heartbeat of this wine—sustained, mellow, and incredibly refined. It does not jab but rather flows continuously, carrying the dense, dried flavors across the palate with remarkable energy. The tannins have fully resolved into a silken, powdery texture, leaving nothing but harmony.

Finish: The finish is eternal, echoing with notes of dried citrus peel, forest floor, and a final whisper of sweet tobacco and herbs. A truly humbling experience; this is not merely a wine, but a living artifact of time, worthy of the title "Great Emperor." — 2 months ago

J. Kim

9.0

There is no magic, but everything about is solid, authentic aromas, excellent fruit quality, plush texture, sound structure, subtle, appealing oak and overall harmony and integrity. Some might prefer more earth, more personality or stronger oak presence, but it has the focus and the definition most commercial, industrial wines miss. — 7 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Saladini Pilastri – Pecorino – Offida DOCG
Offida DOCG | Le Marche, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview:
A classic Le Marche white made from 100% Pecorino, organically farmed by Saladini Pilastri. This is a textbook expression of the grape: mineral-driven, citrus-forward, and effortlessly food friendly.

Aromas & Flavors:
Bright citrus, lemon zest, grapefruit, subtle white flowers, and a clean stony/mineral core. Fresh and precise without excess aromatics.

Mouthfeel:
Medium-bodied with lively acidity and a gentle, saline edge. Approachable yet structured enough to hold its own at the table.

Food Pairings:
Perfect with Adriatic seafood, grilled fish, shellfish, vegetable-based pasta, fresh cheeses, and classic Mediterranean dishes.

Verdict:
A reliable, authentic Pecorino that delivers exactly what you want from Offida DOCG, purity, balance, and versatility. Organic farming adds an extra layer of appeal.

Did You Know?
Despite its name, Pecorino has nothing to do with sheep or cheese. It’s an ancient indigenous grape of central Italy, prized for its natural acidity and mineral tension, making it one of Italy’s most food-friendly whites.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
A go-to Italian white for the table, fresh, mineral, and honest. This is the kind of wine that quietly elevates food without stealing the spotlight. — 5 months ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.6

The last remaining unicorn in Cornas. The great Elie Bancel. He is finally coming to America. The new Sozet. What an amazing wine. Nose is superb but a bit reticent upon opening. Meaty, red berry, blackberry, some olives but what stands out is the absolute harmony of the aromas. Just elite. Gorgeous granitic background and some flowers as well. This is a 9.8 nose and it’s not barely aired out. This is old man Cornas at its best. My god how aristocratic this nose is. That palate is like if Noel Verset and Louis Sozet had a love child. Juicy and wow the granite. More Beliando on the palate now with some air. Big, granitic tannins and some major structure. Gorgeous sleek fruit and some wildness as is par for the course for old man Cornas. This needs air but my goodness this is wonderful wine. Authentic as they come and full of character and soul. So juicy and intense with stunning energy and slate like granitic tannins. Toothsome. Nose now getting more floral with violets and some lilacs. This smells like history. Terrific inner mouth aromas and balanced between olive and meat. Juicy and so deep. This is more structured than Sozet and reminds me of a Bordeaux, structurally speaking. It’s got a finish that doesn’t quit but will expand mightily once it’s given air. This seems like it will greatly improve with an unlimited amount of air. Seems almost like an “oxygen-proof” wine. I will be back. Oh man the tannins and fruit are separating and wow this is getting insane. Now the nose is crazy. Super granite and much more Beliando than Sozet. So stoney and aristocratic. So elegant now. Wow has this gained finesse and the olives are like an oily deep olive slick that is so pure. Really insane wine. What a texture and energy. Really not like Sozet at all now on palate as the mineral is so much granite. Unreal. Still more to come.

Day 2 - Nose is all black fruits, granite shavings, burnt charcoal, and some dark blueberries. The stoniness is unreal. Palate is rich and ripe with stellar concentration and purity. Nice hit of opulence and so elegant and generous now. Huge concentration and depth. Unreal. — a year ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Barolo Riserva 2018 – Berreri & Rovati
Barolo DOCG, Piemonte, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
A well-balanced and approachable Barolo Riserva from the excellent 2018 vintage, showcasing Nebbiolo’s elegance in a more accessible, casual style. This Riserva delivers structure and harmony without heaviness, making it an appealing value-driven expression of classic Barolo character.

Aromas & Flavors
Lifted aromas of dried rose petals and tart red fruits immediately stand out, followed by subtle earthy undertones and hints of spice. The profile remains clean, varietally expressive, and inviting from start to finish.

Mouthfeel
Supple and smooth tannins for a Barolo Riserva, especially at this stage. Medium-bodied with a polished texture and good balance, offering an easygoing yet authentic Nebbiolo experience.

Food Pairings
Braised meats, mushroom-based dishes, truffle pasta, risotto, or aged hard cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano.

Verdict
A solid and well-crafted Barolo Riserva that hits a sweet spot between tradition and approachability. Casual in style yet respectful of Nebbiolo’s brilliance, this is a great-value option for enjoying Barolo without waiting decades. — 5 months ago

Vanessa

9.3

✨ Cheers to treasures of the Côte des Blancs!

🥂 Allow me to introduce Champagne Agrapart & Fils, a fourth-generation grower-producer based in the Grand Cru village of Avize – right in the heart of the Côte des Blancs region, where Chardonnay reigns supreme.

🍾Pascal took the helm of his family’s winery in 1984 and is now joined by his son Ambroise, carrying on the family tradition of meticulous winemaking to craft exceptionally beautiful champagnes that offer an authentic sense of place.

🌿 In support of this aim, Agrapart pursues an ancient approach to farming the family’s 12 hectares of vines, in harmony with nature, according to the natural rhythms of the calendar, trading chemicals for compost, and working the land by hand.

🍇 In the winery, Pascal & Ambroise allow fermentations to happen naturally through ambient yeast found in the surrounding environment & on the surface of the grape skins. They neither fine nor filter their wines, and riddling is done by hand – a rarity in this day and age given efficiencies that can be gained through mechanization (e.g., gyropalette).

👉 Here we have Agrapart’s “Terroirs” bottling made with 100% Chardonnay from a blend of vintages and vineyard blocks from the Grand Cru villages of Avize, Cramant, Oiry, and Oger. It’s extra brut with 5 grams of sugar / liter in dosage.

😍 It is a stunning Blanc de Blancs expression giving voice to the Côte des Blancs.

👌 This wine is focused, nuanced, & elegant with perfumed aromas of lemon meringue, lemon pith, crisp apple, star fruit, white tea, blossom, oyster shell, salinity, toast, smoke, chalk, river bank, frozen pie crust, and blanched almonds.

On the palate it’s bone dry and laser focused with an electrifying acidity that is balanced by a creamy mousse and concentrated flavors consistent with the nose.

💫 Cheers to delicious wines of authenticity & soul! — 7 months ago

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