John Howard

Harvest production at Hirsch and Cobb Wineries

9.3

One of the best 1er champs for the $. Best to get off the wagon too. — a month ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 2021 Classico pours a bright garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose the wine is developing with beautiful notes of ripe Morello cherry, raspberry, tart forest strawberry’s, a whole bouquet of roses, hibiscus, saltwater taffy, tar, assorted green herbs, old wood and dry dusty earth. After about an hour or so, pomegranate enters the chat. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. These are early days but I’m really excited to track how these evolve with time. Drink now through 2051. — 5 months ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Opened a few hours prior to service and enjoyed over the course of an hour alongside the 1998 Bartolo. The wine pours a garnet color with a translucent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Morello cherry, dried roses, tar, truffle, old wood, dried green herbs, and dry gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and savory. Stunning. This has a touch more oomph compared to the ‘98 vintage. Loved this with controfiletto di wagyu. Drink now through 2059. — 6 months ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.6

One of the most singular Champagne’s in the biz. Great to have with some age. — 7 months ago

Aaron Tan

9.0

For the price, I expected a lot more. So did the rest on the table. Probably too young as it did improve with air, but I’ve had youthful (and cheaper) Champagne’s that performed far better than this. Started off with heaps of pears, bruised apples, and almonds on the nose. The palate was concentrated, juicy and almost too fruity for me (apples and apricot for days!). Air brought about more cut and chalkiness, as well as some floral notes. In short, I expected more depth. I suspect I’m just not a fan of the vintage. Time will tell. — 2 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.4

Haunting and ethereal aromas of roses, tar, leather and so much more. Classic old school pedal to the medal Neb. Smokey and hickory aromas as well. Stunning. Palate is mega juicy and mega structured with amazing purity and depth and just exquisite fruit and lovely length. This has many decades ahead of it and is really a value when compared to what $40 gets you in the Langhe. As this airs i’ll be back. — 4 years ago

Martijn

9.3

Incredible glass of rose. Roses, almond paste, tart, some dried figs. In the mouth sweet, acidity and bitters so well balanced. — 4 years ago

Daniel P. Drake

9.8

Yesterday late afternoon I had the pleasure of tasting the 2016 Luciano Sandrone Le Vigne Barolo. At first taste I knew this was a special bottle of wine. All boxes were checked on the nose as well as the palate.

On the nose were fully expressive notes of black cherry, strawberry, herbs, clove, clay pottery, rose petals, underbrush, tar and dusty soil.

On the palate were delightful notes of dark cherries, strawberry, red plum, licorice, truffle, herbs, dried roses, a good mineral note and dusty earth.

An outstanding wine from the word go, full bodied, well balanced with a smooth round mouthfeel, medium + acidity and medium + to high fine mouth coating grippy tannins that leaves you with a long pronounced fresh fruit dusty earth finish. This wine still has a lot to offer years from now. What a pleasure to have experienced this. I hope everyone's weekend is going well? Have a continued wonderful weekend. Please stay safe and healthy. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 5 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.4

One of the good bottles, and a beautiful reminder of why old Alto Piemonte is magic. Gorgeous mature nose of moss, seaweed, red roses, desiccated cherry, loam, chestnut, dried leaves and bark, with that old Nebbiolo road-tar thing hovering underneath. Palate still has real charge and life, with surprisingly youthful fruit, juicy cherry on the finish, and big 1989 structure, but the tannins are integrated and carrying the wine beautifully. Not refined like great Barolo or Barbaresco, but soulful, wild, alive, and deeply compelling. With air, the wine is getting more integrated and more beautiful. The nose has moved into that old Nebbiolo caramelized/seared register, with the desiccated cherry, roses, loam, moss, bark and chestnut now feeling deeper and more fused. The palate is gaining finesse, but this is not polished or refined in a Barolo/Barbaresco way. It is old Alto Piemonte: high-acid 1989 structure, big but integrated tannins, gorgeous fruit, and that wild, soulful mountain Nebbiolo charge still running through it. Still 9.4, maybe nudging higher if it keeps knitting together. — a month ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I’ve had a number of PC 96’s over time, none quite this good. The fill line & cork perfect. Very little sediment. Some bottle neck tannin burn. For me, Pontet Canet didn’t really hit its consistent, quality stride until 2005. Doesn’t mean they didn’t make a few beauties before then. Pontet Canet is proof that the 1855 Bordeaux Classification needs to be redone. Unlikely it will in my lifetime.

This 96 maybe just short of its precipice. Stylistically a little better than 94.

The nose reminds me of everything I love about older Bordeaux. Dark core of currants/cassis. Ripe, floral; blackberries, dark, baked cherries, sweet, black plum, poached/strawberries, raspberries, hints of baked rhubarb & blueberries, mixed berry cola. Sweet forest floor w/ leaves, sweet mushrooms, sweet led pencil shavings, steeped tea w/ hints of fruit, charcoal, dry tobacco/leather, some dry herbs, withering dark, red flowers, red roses with violets.

The palate is also everything I love about older Bordeaux. Dark core of currants/cassis. Ripe, floral; blackberries, dark, baked cherries, sweet, black plum, poached/strawberries, raspberries, hints of baked rhubarb & blueberries, mixed berry cola/red vines. Everything I understood the first time standing in the estate vineyard of Pichon Baron. Tasting limestone, dry river stone, dark, rich soils with dry leaves, dry stems. In fact, I’ve tasted vineyards soils everywhere I have been in every world wine region. Basically, everywhere in the wine world that has reliance. Many multiple times. Sweet graphite, steeped tea w/ hints of dark fruit, understated, layered baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanillin, dark cocoa, dark exotic spices, some anise to black licorice, charcoal, dry tobacco with ash/leather, some dry herbs-safe/bay leaf, limestone, dry river stone, dry crushed rocks, dark, rich, earth with dry leaves, dry topsoils, dry stems, withering/dry dark, red flowers, red roses with violets, excellent, rainfall acidity with an extremely well balanced/structured/tensioned, great length and an elegant finish that lasts minutes and falls nicely on dry earth and dark spices.

A very, very slow roll with my Ribcap. Definitely better with the steak than on its own.

This bottle tells me this 96 has plenty of good drinking ahead, another 8-10 yrs+.

ABV is 13%. Disappointing it ever changed. — 5 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Gianfranco Alessandria – Barolo 2020
Piedmont – Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
Made from 100% Nebbiolo, this Barolo captures the essence of Piedmont’s most noble grape. The 2020 vintage is still youthful, showing its classic austerity and perfume while beginning the long climb toward its prime. (Educational note: Nebbiolo is famous for combining delicate floral aromatics with firm tannins and vibrant acidity, giving Barolo its legendary aging potential.)

Aromas & Flavors
Roses and violets open gracefully, followed by tart red cherry, cranberry, and dried strawberry. Nuances of anise, tar, and subtle spice emerge with air, promising further complexity as the wine matures.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied but firmly structured, with gripping tannins and racing acidity. The tart fruit and floral notes ride on a backbone of minerality, finishing long and tightly wound — signaling a wine built for age.

Food Pairings
Perfect with rich northern Italian cuisine: truffle risotto, braised beef (Brasato al Barolo), or wild mushroom tagliatelle. Also shines with aged Parmigiano Reggiano.

Verdict
A beautiful, youthful Barolo — tart, floral, and nervy, with cherry fruit and soaring acidity. Still climbing toward its peak, but already showing elegance and grace. A wine for patient cellaring, yet utterly captivating today. 🍷

Did You Know?
Barolo is often called “the king of wines and the wine of kings.” Its Nebbiolo grape name comes from nebbia (fog), referencing the autumn mists that blanket Piedmont’s vineyards during harvest.

Hidden Gem 💎
Gianfranco Alessandria is a boutique Barolo producer, crafting expressive, terroir-driven wines that fly under the radar compared to larger names — a true gem for collectors and explorers. — 9 months ago

Sharon B

9.3

One of my favorites! Enjoying some cloudy weather this afternoon with a good book — 4 years ago

farzad farzin

9.0

Classic with expressive bubbles and beautiful color, almost orange!! Very balanced notes of mineral and brioche. — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

It’s 1/2 bottle n/v Billecart evening.

This is a more appropriate color of rose for the Rosé color of this champagne.

My go to n/v Rosé Champange for a number of reasons…quality & 1/2 bottle availability are right up there.

Blood orange, black cherries, Rainer cherries, lean strawberries, pomegranate juice, hints of raw rhubarb, grainy, grippy, sharp chalkiness, crunchy volcanics, limestone, sea fossils, baguette crust, deep white spice, orange lilies, peach roses, excellent, lively acidity with a rich, well balanced smart finish that starts clean, ripe fruits falling onto perfect minerality. — 5 years ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 2016 Villero pours a bright garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of Morello cherry, raspberry, fresh roses, tar, orange curaçao, talcum powder, dried green herbs, and gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and slightly savory. Villero is one of those MGA‘s that will show well young and this was no exception. While other 2016’s might still be locked down, this was full of pleasure. With this much balance, there’s a long life yet ahead. Drink now through 2066+. — 2 months ago

Dave

9.6

I had a bottle of this limited edition in 2021, and at the time it was one of the best bourbons I'd ever enjoyed. Got my hands on a bottle of 2025 and it now costs considerably more. Really great juice. Although 109 proof, this does not throw too much heat. It tastes very much like a wheater (which it is not), yet the rye content is also prominent from the nose through the sip. Cherry, leather, cornbread, and cigar box. Best way I can describe it is that EH Taylor and Pappy 15 had a baby. It's very good.
Listening to Cheap Trick — 5 months ago

Wulf Losee

9.3

Floral notes on the nose — roses, hibiscus, plus mint, and the dry fragrance of sun-bleached wood. Strawberries on the front. Medium tannic structure. Black tea high notes with hint mint on the mid palate. Citrusy finish with long acidic afterburn. My description fails in that it makes it sound like a light and floral wine. But taken altogether, this is wine is rock solid, and it hasn’t even begun to develop. — 6 months ago

Mary H

9.2

Yeasty bread, ripe and slightly browned Fuji and honeycrisp apple, hint of pineapple. Crisp but not bracing, fine bubbles. — 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured. The 2018 Ferrando Carema pours a beautiful, luminous, transparent ruby color that displays a slightly brown cast around the edge. Medium (+?) viscosity. Cherries bruised forest strawberries, pink roses, tar, crushed granite, Alpine herbs, and a kiss of spices. Medium+ tannin, medium+ acid. Finish is very long and super satisfying. A tremendously elegant wine. So much class. Best after about 45 minutes of air in the glass and continued to build until the last sip which was a few hours later. I really enjoy these wines. Too bad the prices are nearly 2x what they were 5 years ago. — 4 years ago

Aaron Tan

9.0

Aced this blind, though I felt the palate weight does lean more towards a Langhe Nebbiolo by convention.
Like the blinded Margaux on the table, the nose led with Morello cherries, but without new oak and more layers such as aromas of dried roses, leather, star anise, and earth. The trademark Nebbiolo tannins and acidity on the palate was what scored the clincher for me. Lighter than expected for the level of tannins, but I felt it was still balanced especially with the mouth-filling mid-palate fruit (mixed berries here). Finishes with spice and fresh acidity. It’s a dangerous drink given how elegant it is at 14.5% abv. Best red of the night!

NB: The 2017 Blue Label Ascheri Barolo was made with a blend of fruits from La Morra, Verduno, and Serralunga. Fermentation was a 50% mix of 15-day batch and 25-day batch with submerged cap. Aging was for 24 months in large Slavonian oak barrels (70% new oak and 30% used) and for 12 months in stainless steel before bottling. It’s interesting to note how little wood character was imparted into the wine using large format barrels, despite the high percentage of new oak. I would imagine that one of the roles of this cuvée at Ascheri is just to season the new barrels for use in the better cuvées. — 4 years ago