Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured, enjoyed over several days. Consistent throughout. The 2013 “Serracapelli” pours deep garnet with transparent core, medium+ viscosity no staining of the tears. Some sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with soaring aromatics; explosive notes of Rainier cherry, roses, pomegranate, Grape Nuts, star anise, talcum powder, old wood, new leather, alpine herbs. 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 grippy with almost waxy texture. Fresh, balanced, and super compelling. Lovely stuff. Drink now and through 2033 easy. Thanks for the assist @Lyle Fass — a year ago

ESF

9.5

Sublime - just so in the pocket, soaring aromas of dusty cherries, spice, tar, violets, almost a tawny character. So textbook. Seamless flawless palate, the tannins are just perfectly resolved & elegant balance w/acidity, just enough secondary flavors mingled w/cherries on palate through lengthy velvety finish. — 3 years ago

ESF

9.5

Transcendent - loved this wine & winery for years, believe this is my last bottle & perhaps caught it at its zenith: deep dark ruby, still inky & opaque - soaring aromas of cherry liqueur, red berry fruit, licorice, dried herbs, tomato plant, tobacco, leather and some Earthy secondary notes. Still w/decent heft from a wine that for me has always had impressive extraction, power & vigor. Juicy acidity & elegant structure, plenty of ripe fruit - on the palate it shows like finely aged Sangiovese. Wonderful accompaniment to Christmas evening ham. — 4 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.3

The 21 of this is just beyond, so far beyond every other vintage it’s not close. Soaring nose of green apple, baked apple pie, phyllo dough, pear, lime zest and sea air. Gorgeous. Terrific palate of lime rock intensity and so juicy but piercingly mineral and super focused. Amazing palate presence here. So long. A triumph. — 2 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.5

Been two plus years and wow wow wow is this the best bottle yet. Stunning nose of chestnut, soaring minerality, deep mid season cherries but smothered with wet leaves. Also amazing fireplace aromas. The palate is a marvel. Beats the sh*t out of sooooo many Barolo and Barbaresco at much higher price points. Omg the earthy sweetness on this is insanely magical. Perfect balance and elite elite finesse. Insane inner mouth aromas. What velvety texture and insane juiciness. Perfect fruit/tannin delivery balance. Just so so incredibly epic. This estate is magic. — 2 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.5

My favorite expression of Sangiovese. It’s amazing what Stella can do in warm vintages. 2011 Riserva is fabulous tonight, with soaring aromatics, stunning elegance and purity and fantastic intensity without any sense of weight. It’s fresh, floral and red fruited with complex layers of violets, forest leaves and exotic spice. The palate is juicy and vibrant with a silky texture, fine grained tannins and a long mineral inflicted finale that leaves behind hardly any warmth. Love these wines. Brunello for the Burgundy lover. — 3 years ago

Seth Masterson

9.3

This wine makes me re-think what I know as Chenin Blanc.
It opens with a lot of lees/yeast. And wet rock minerality. Give it a few minutes for the fruits and florals to develop. Give it more minutes and it actually starts to smell like a Vouvray or savenniere - wax, wool and aged cheese.
Soaring acidity! (Ever bite into a Ranguapur lime?) But also body-oddy-oddy thanks to that yeast contact.

Not only enjoyable but also one that you want to pour many more glasses of t discover all the nuanced smells and flavors.

Don't chill it too much! You'll lose a lot of the subtleties. — 2 years ago

Byron Fuller

9.6

Everything I hope for in red burgundy. This had shocking ullage (almost to the base of the shoulder, scary on a burg) but opened beautifully. Soaring nose still has very pure fruit; fabulous dazzling length. No idea to describe the palate, just awfully good. Must be at peak but showed no signs of fading. — 3 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

La Paulee Liger Belair Dinner. Out of magnum that was a stunning VR, floral, elegant with soaring spices. Like all LB these wines were delicious — 4 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.5

Another great wine from the master of Saint-Joseph with soaring aromatics that seem to leap from the glass showing lots of palate staining dark inky fruits along with notes of graphite, black olive, licorice, mineral, mocha & violet. — 4 years ago