Doug Powers

9.7

Iodine, smoke, classic well-aged Syrah aromas and flavors, this threw SO MUCH sediment that a decant WAS REQUIRED (and I wish I could post the picture of the sediment glop, it was equally as thick and dark as any great Vintage Porto I’ve ever seen after decanting). This is still youthful in so many ways, and still shows some big tannic structure, for now, it just needs food. Finish is super long, just an amazing “COTES DU RHONE” I purchased in 1986 when we lived in Brooklyn Heights, I was lucky enough to but TWO cases for $150/each, or $12.50/bottle, and I have 2 more bottles for sure!! Simply amazing juice!!!
OK, you guys KNOW I have some backstories here to tell — (1) This wine is a 250-case cuvée, which in this particular bottle’s case was made by the legendary Jacques Reynaud (who owned Rayas and the other properties, Chateau Pignan CdP and Fonsalette CdR, before tragically passing in 1997, when his nephew Emmanuel took over, and Emmanuel himemself just passed); (2) I used to buy Rayas and Pignan back in the 1980s in Brooklyn Heights at my neighborhood wine store, 10 to 15 year old vintages were available for $30 or so per bottle, but last ones I bought were 1988-1990 Pignan and Fonsalette in California; (3) my brother and I used to bring Rayas. (1974, 1976 and 1978) to restaurants in Napa (paying corkage) back in the late 1980s/early 1990s, where very few wait staff even knew what they were; and (4) I personally can no longer play with the big boys for younger vintages, but Rayas and Fonsalette “Cuvée Syrah” are truly collector wines, the latter in particular is built to last 30-50 years, I doubt many folks would ever age them that long, nor find them appealing at age 5/10/15, so most of the above information is likely of no use (last vintage I bought was 1989, but 2 or 3 bottle limit, and those weredrunk long ago). But damn, what a fantastic time capsule of a grape grown in the wrong place (southern France) making such an immortal wine!! Doug — 16 days ago

with Jim

Ira Schwartz

9.2

A rarity , weekday lunch with wine. Visiting my nephew and his family for the weekend. A beautiful nose of earth, spice, and dark blue & red fruit . Duplicated in the mouth with excellent balance. A food wine. — 4 years ago

Mike Sanderson

9.0

Can taste citrus fruit like pineapple. Drank with a fruit bowl dessert and went perfectly. Also good for just drinking without food. Chill this and it’s better. — 6 years ago

Trixie

9.1

A delightful moscato.

Full of peach/pear flavours. Medium sweet. Low alcohol. Slightly effervescent.

Hard to write notes with my sweet little 3 year old nephew on my lap. 💙

•4.8% ABV • October 5, 2019 — 7 years ago

Graham

9.0

Hint of caramel/tawnyness to it. Very good. — 8 years ago

Erica Ghotra

9.0

Thanksgiving with Butler family — 8 years ago

Her Mir Tage

9.4

Emmanuel Rouget 2014 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Cros Parantoux

A wine from the nephew of the Wine God (Henri Jayer). This is my first time trying this domaine. In my view, Méo-Camuzet’s Cros Parantoux leans more feminine and delicate, while Emmanuel Rouget’s style is more like “a sea of stars and a sky of galaxies”—more structural, more spirited, with an air of chivalrous boldness.

2014 should be a relatively approachable vintage, but indeed the first glass showed very tight tannins, vibrant and layered acidity, a pronounced herbaceous/green note, earthy minerality, very fresh and natural, with a bright and clean quality. The structure wasn’t broad or massive, but rather deeply intricate, precise, and penetrating.

After 1 hour of aeration, wild strawberry emerged, along with a mineral sense of wet earth after rain in the forest. Floral notes were not yet obvious; I looked forward to its further evolution.

After 2 hours open, the nose was no longer about thick jammy fruit, but a mix of different spices—like scattered starlight in a river of stars: cool, shimmering, accompanied by rose petals, wild strawberries, and the cool limestone minerality. The aromas don’t hit you head‑on but slowly unfold in the nasal cavity like the Milky Way. Once fully opened, I experienced its signature “silver bead of acidity.” The tannins are incredibly fine, like velvet, and the wine floats on the tip of the tongue—not heavy, but like silk gliding across the night sky. That concentrated mineral energy strikes the palate instantly, then dissolves into a long, lingering finish. The aftertaste lasts for tens of seconds, carrying notes of sandalwood, dried tangerine peel, and damp earth.

Half‑drunk, I felt as if I were drifting into a dream beneath the starry river. — a month ago

Kate

9.2

Bottle reads beautifully deep in hues, it leads complex notions of boysenberry and pomegranate preserves over suggestions of violets and sage. I would have never been able to write this description without cheating — 3 years ago

Jason Gelman

9.1

a delightful sparkling wine and the last of my 08 stash. opened with my in laws to celebrate the birth of my nephew cooper, their 3rd grandchild. — 6 years ago

Gary Grose

9.1

Wow. A great barbera that my nephew brought over for dinner the other night. Opened it the day after and it’s tannins are smooth and blend perfectly with the cherry base I’m sure it’s not a value buy but this is a classic barbera. Buy it to show friends and family what barbera should taste like. — 6 years ago

Jay Kline

9.0

My nephew came ten days early!!! The WF down the street had this in the refrigerated case so it was an easy choice. His name is Armend and he and momma are doing awesome. The Champagne had brioche on the nose and loads of meringue on the palate. Quite attractive. Worth swooping for the price. — 7 years ago

Al Shikoh

9.0

medium golden yellow; muted, lemon zest, wet stone; saline, stone fruit; medium bodied, good acid backbone, 14.1% ABV; sourced from vineyard on bluff 5 miles from Pacific Ocean, whole cluster pressed and fermented in seasoned French oak, made by owner/winemaker Kurt Beitler, grandson of Charlie Wagner and nephew of Chuck Wagner co-founders of Caymus Vineyards; $45 — 7 years ago

Randy Boesch

9.1

Very enjoyable blend recommended by our nephew — 8 years ago

with Brandon

Norman

9.3

Rehearsal dinner wine for my nephew. I thought this probably WOTN. — a year ago

Shay A

9.4

Since I sadly can’t buy a bunch of TAllemand Chaillot (or even more unfortunately, Reynard), this producer’s expression is one I’ve been waiting to try. Only recently found out he is Noël Verset’s nephew (which certainly helped in getting those old vines from Chaillot!)

Double decanted for an hour before consuming the first half from the bottle the following few hours. Gorgeous translucent red-purple in the glass. Aromatics are bright and expressive…potpurri, black pepper, dark berry fruits, and whole cluster/stems. The palate is crunchy and energetic with peppered blackberries, herbaceous whole-cluster spice, and savory minerals. Lingering finish with big grip. It presents as a “big” cool climate Syrah (if that makes sense), not a burly rustic Cornas. Absolutely delicious.

Second half was consumed the following day and the finish was a bit more finesse driven with all the flavors in balance. Drink now with a couple hours of air or hold a few more years. Now to try the Sans Soufre… — 2 years ago

Douglas Braun

9.0

2015 Vintage - slight red/brown brown sugar , cranberry , wild fruit , butler spice , medium bodied — 4 years ago

Romain Fitoussi

9.0

Nature Gamay of very good quality, in the spirit of Marcel Lapierre (his nephew has told me). At the same time greedy, accessible, and with a very beautiful aromatic density which unfolds especially when one gives the wine time to air out. Superb for its price.

Gamay nature de très bonne facture, dans l’esprit de Marcel Lapierre (son neveux m’a t’on dit). À la fois gourmand, accessible, et avec une très belle densité aromatique qui se déploie d’autant plus qu’on laisse au vin le temps de s’aérer. Superbe pour son prix. — 6 years ago

LouAnn Burnett

9.0

From TJs DC. Surprisingly good Pinot Noir. — 7 years ago

Robert Rogers

9.3

Amazing wine. Beautiful notes of ripe orchard fruits - Pear, Apricots and Apple hitting the nose. Lightly colored but good range for a white. Taste is fresh pear and apricot, with a hint of green apple. I can’t wait to drink again. — 7 years ago

Dyann Panepinto

9.0

Tom and Dyann had the 2015 March 2019...our nephew told us to age it...we held it for two years! This was a spectacular zin! — 8 years ago