Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

Interesting “Vin de France” that is the brainchild of the great Louis Barruol. Primarily made with Grenache that is a blending of several vintages, all vinified in concrete tanks. This one was bottled in 2019. Deep ruby/garnet/purple color. Aromas of ripe red berry fruit, dried purple flowers and dusty earth. Flavors of strawberries, red and black cherries, blackberries, red and black licorice and baking spices. Touch of black pepper spice on the medium-plus and slightly earthy/musty/peaty finish. Medium-plus acidity. Light and well integrated tannins. Pleasant texture and purity. Interesting concept that has led to an interesting wine. Excellent QPR. — a month ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. Sourced from a single vineyard in Grezzana, the 2016 Case Vecie pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and dried red, black and blue fruits: Bing cherry, Craisins, pomegranate, Fig Newtons, red flowers, fine cocoa, espresso, gentle warm spices and a mix of organic and inorganic earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. The alcohol is high. However, it’s remarkably balanced considering its extraordinary ABV, 16.5%!! That being said, you would hardly know it…until it got you turnt! For real though, I don’t drink a lot of Amarone…but this is damned good. Drink now through 2041. — 5 months ago

David White

9.4

As per earlier notes excellent Basket Pressed Cabernet with bold flavours and silky tannins — 8 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

1990 vintage. Last tasted 12.11.22 (9.6) and 8.20.16 (9.2-slightly off bottle). Tasted side by side with the 1989 (9.4) version of this wine. Ridiculous 1-2 heavyweight punch. Opened but not decanted. Tasted at the conclusion of lunch after an hour open. Not much in the nose but bringing it in the flavors. Still heavy bits of ripe plum and cherry with a substantial mid-palate. Larger format of this wine likely clocks in as a 9.6/9.7 but this was a 750ml. In the 750ml format, not improving and it's drink now and until 2028. Still, most likely, the best wine this producer has ever made. The 1989 has a case as well. Like the Lebowski rug, this one just tied the late-80's/early-90's BDX room together. 10.10.25. — a month ago

Gilbert Van Hassel

9.6

Very aromatic, very fine tannins, light in color. Amazing as usual. — 6 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

A surprise at a burg event — 8 months ago

Ira Schwartz

9.2

A bodacious nose that is a mixture of red and black fruit. A little more weight on the palate than what I have encountered with Soldera. .Tons of fruit and energy take control. — 4 months ago

Bruce Leboff

9.7

Brilliant. Elegant and well balanced. Superb. Outshone the Biondi Santi - albeit completely different character. Love the smooth caressing finish. Beautifully balanced — 4 months ago

with Michael and David

Jody Wycech

9.3

Mostly Shiraz with some small cab and merlot blends to make for a lovely red wine that went well with lamb and Rosemary. Aroma is deep and complex. I get facing notes of chocolate, vanilla and tobacco from the barrel. I get fruity notes of cherry, plum and black currant. I get light herbal notes from the soil with touches of Rosemary and pine. I get spicy notes from the yeast like cardamom and clove. The palate is full bodied with a heavy sweetness quickly balanced by very strong tannins so that it never feels too sweet or oppressive. Definitely finished with a strong tannic astrigency that would be aggressive if it wasn't scrubbing the heavy fruity sweetness. — 8 months ago

with Ethan, Peter and 1 other

Austin Hohnke

9.2

Worth a check in at 10 years. Always an outstanding nose. Needed hours of air and still pretty shy, fruit in particular is closed. Paired with NY strip tonight. Have half a case left of this vintage and will check in again in a couple years. — 2 years ago