Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.4

Completely singular and deeply compelling. The nose is wildly expressive, with leather, cigar, red fruit, birthday cake, spun sugar, spice, roses and lilacs, all carried by a distinctly Alpine freshness. The palate is silky, juicy and beautifully balanced, with terrific concentration, tangy energy and velvety sweet tannins that give the wine real structure without ever feeling imposing. As it opens, it gains amplitude and depth while remaining light on its feet, with a kind of flowing structure that moves through the palate rather than sitting on top of it. Super clean, invigorating and full of personality. There is simply nothing else quite like Fumin. — 3 days ago

TH

8.9

最高峰のシャルドネキュヴェボワを飲んだあとのモノブラン。透き通った黄色。柑橘系の香りから、やや酸とグレープフルーツ系が強い味わい。最後にまろやかさもある。@トスカニー 2970 incl tax — 2 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.2

The 2020 Pinot Nero is such a pretty and finessed varietal expression that mixes alpine herbs with wild strawberries and crushed rocks. It’s elegant with silky textures that usher in masses of lavender-tinged black cherries and spices, as juicy acidity maintains fantastic balance. The 2020 leaves a coating of fruit concentration along with sweet tannins that add a gentle grip, promising a steady evolution. That said, there is no harm in drinking this today. (Eric Guido, Vinous, June 2022)
— 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Pale Lemon in colour. More in the lean style for Margaret River as compared to the richer “peaches and cream “ style of Cuvées like Leeuwin Art Series and Pierro. The oak has been judiciously dialled back not to overwhelm the more delicate fruit profile of citrus and grapefruit. Finished off with crisp acid. Would have liked a riper fruit profile from this good vintage. Perhaps picking a little later? Tasted 29 weeks later on 1st December 2021. Developing nicely with sweet grapefruit, nectarine and pear. Xanadu still having a wonderful run on the Australian Wine Show Circuit. Tasted again on 2nd July 2022 with consistent notes. Last bottle. Great value at $30 a bottle. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

See previous notes 210 weeks ago. Pale Lemon in colour. Aromas of White flowers, lanolin, straw, toast and herbs. Typical soapy texture on the palate - creamy notes with mild acid and medium intensity. As stated in previous notes Hunter Valley Semillon puts on weight with cellaring - this is a good example. A multi Trophy and Gold medal winner on the Australian Show Circuit. — 6 years ago

Steve Martinelli

9.3

This is a full bodied wine with plenty of acid and aromatics. — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Pale to mid Ruby - almost transparent in the glass. Very primary with fresh red fruits on nose and palate. Light to medium in palate weight but medium plus intensity. Great to have an embryonic young wine for a change. A wine destined to win multiple awards on the Australian Show circuit - from the new hot spot for Australian Pinot Noir - the Coal River Tasmania. — 6 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.0

Very aromatic and immediately expressive, with peach, apricot, green melon and cantaloupe giving the nose an almost fruit-cocktail character, while a mineral current starts to emerge underneath with air. The palate is juicy, sleek, pure and balanced, with plenty of ripe melon fruit, a lightly opulent 2025 texture and a persistent sizzling minerality through the finish. There is a faint medicinal note at first, but the wine grows more mineral after a few minutes. Light, refreshing and very drinkable, almost what I wish Pinot Grigio would be. — 4 days ago

Sagee Aran

9.1

A Golden Chardonnay. Oak noticed, full body with apple strudel notes. — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Guests over for Sunday lunch. No formal notes. Went down well with fresh strawberries and cream. The colour was like a dark burnished copper. An apricot note - not overly sweet which was good. The bottle size at 500ml was perfect. One of Australia’s best performed dessert styles on the Australian show circuit with numerous trophies and gold medals. — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Ruby with aromas of fresh crushed red berry fruits, floral and slight spicy notes. On the palate black cherry and blackberry flavors, well balanced with acidity and fine soft tannins. The finish is long, ending with fruit, cedar and mocha notes. Nice, will age well. — 5 years ago

Alberto Cdm

9.2

19 anni portati molto bene!! 👏👏👏 — 6 years ago

David Kline

9.4

Black with burnt umber highlights. Low and creamy head springs with bubbles combining to undercut its great form. Fireworks lacing slow falls to leopard spots. Espresso and baker’s chocolate nose boasts licorice and chicory, campfire notes and vanilla. Palate shows none of the sweet elements of the nose initially. Instead, pipe tobacco and unsweetened bitter chocolate, the chicory and burnt toast prevail; a burnt tips taste lingering. Baked pecan, dark caramel, black pepper, and ethiopean coffee, with black chewing tobacco and vanilla bean complete the circuit. Power and restraint, in this lovely offering. This really did set the standard. #samuelsmiths #samuelsmitholdbrewery #tadcaster #NYorks #imperialstout #stout #englishstout #beer #classicbeer #bier #biere #birra #cerveza #cerveja #britbeer #britannia #ukberr #ukstout #britishbeer #britishstout — 6 years ago

with Courtney

Bob McDonald

9.1

Contrary to my last note, this IS my last bottle of 2 dozen. Mid Ruby in colour. Dark ripe cherries with a little pepper on both nose and palate. Can see why this wine has won 13 Trophies on the Australian Show Circuit including 5 at Royal Sydney. Ridiculous value at $22 or less. So easy to drink. Made by French winemaker Celine Rousseau in the cool climate Hilltops District near Young NSW. Wish I had more. — 6 years ago

Tobin Spratte

9.2

Light, moderately aromatic with Mandarin orange, white grapefruit, and spruce needles. Great summer wine, similar to a Pouille Fume but less acidic and less flinty. — a month ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

A beautiful rich, plush full bodied McLaren Vale Shiraz. Trial sentence. I can continue. Well performed on the Australian Show Circuit. Even though Innocent Bystander is based in the Yarra Valley the fruit for this Cuvée came from the Gateway biodynamic vineyard in McLaren Vale. Supple and delicious with that spicy overlay and soft tannins. — 4 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

A vibrant (considering the age) deep crimson. Mint, Herbs, Blackcurrant. Still reasonably tight with a long life ahead. A good balanced Margaret River Cabernet at a lesser price than the premium Cuvées but not far behind them in quality. Fluid, persistent and ultimately dry tannins. A strong performer on the Show Circuit with 6 Gold Medals and a Trophy from major Wine Shows. Had another bottle on 11th August 2022. Not typically Margaret River with Cassis and Black currant. Still plenty of power. Had my last bottle on 11th July 2026 with notes as above. Great value for money. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Served blind by me at Sue Bell’s dinner party with Bruce Redman. After being tricked by Sue all week with blind tastings at the winery I was determined to get square. She was up to the task getting just the state wrong. Once I said Adelaide Hills she knew it was a Gruner. Hahndorf Hill are acknowledged as the best producers of Gruner in Australia. Taking its lead from the GV’s of Austria’s Kamptal region. Grapefruit, Citrus and stone fruit. A multi award winner on the Australian Show circuit. A gold medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards London 2020. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Mid crimson in colour. Notes of plum , raspberry and stalky notes. Ripe and fulsome on the palate Sweet Plums and Rhubarb flavours with earthy notes. Medium palate weight with medium plus intensity. From Australia’s most southerly vineyard in the Huon Valley of Tasmania. Has become somewhat of a cult boutique wine with a prolific record of medals and Trophies on the Australian Show Circuit. — 6 years ago

Chris MacLean

9.0

I might argue that this is the best supermarket wine sold in northern Italy. Rustic and fresh and versatile. — 6 years ago

with Sarah