Michael Chelus

9.3

Cherry, raspberry, eucalyptus, vanilla, cassis, mossy earth and oak. Full-bodied and soft tannins. — 4 months ago

Sean Lyons

9.4

What a journey. The nose is subtle, a little oak, medium alcohol, some caramel. The beginning is underwhelming - it was eerily reminiscent of Jameson - but the finish is explosive. Huge flavors of charcoal and oak with the trademark rye spiciness. It also has an almost Scotch-like smoke and brine flavor at the end. This really is 3 whiskies in one, which makes it hard to rate. I’d drink it again, though. — 4 years ago

Michael Chelus

9.3

Black cherry, raspberry preserves, vanilla, eucalyptus, cassis, blackberry and oak. Full-bodied and quite tannic. — 5 years ago

Shay A

9.3

WNH white burgundy theme.

The domaine's holdings in Forets is made up of two parcels, totaling just under 2 hectares. The older parcel is of 60 year old vines and is right next to Vincent Dauvissat's holdings. The second is made up of younger vines (25 years old) and is next door to Raveneau's parcel of Forets.

Chablis is hit or miss for me, but this was a total hit. What made this special for me was the weight in the mid palate. Obviously youthful, but from a great vintage. Aromatically, it showed honeysuckle, citrus, and grilled lemon rind. At pop, the mid palate was hollow but it gained a lot of weight after two hours. Golden delicious apples, limestone, more citrus and a touch of honey. The entry shows good acidity but the star of the show is the mid palate. As expected, temperature made a big difference here...slightly above cellar temp seemed best as a touch more fruits showed up (added pear). Paired wonderfully with truffle marcona almonds. — 6 years ago

Gregory Fulchiero

9.3

Super rich and delicious example of tokubetsu sake, loaded with gluey umami mouthfeel and waves of cucumber and melon — 7 years ago

Brad Day

9.1

Sweet, crisp — 7 years ago

Alain Dufois

9.8

Other worldy, immense length, fantastic Syrah. Impeccable balance — 7 years ago

Brandon Boesch

9.5

Excellent! Great balance with plum and some darker sweeter fruits, some woodsy notes, so good with food. — a year ago

Andrew Hoag

9.0

“Lys” super interesting. 2020 — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Continuing on with the Shaw and Smith tasting from the Cellar Door. Raspberries and a confectionery note with silky tannins. Similar in style to the nearby Ashton Hills which I have often bought. The 2019 S and S Pinot was a sellout. — 5 years ago

Russell Perry

8.9

Strawberries and a bit of earthiness. Purchased at the cellar door in 2019. — 5 years ago

with Danielle

Jaclyn Wegener

10

One of my fav simple reds. This is my go to for a sipping red — 6 years ago

Angela Lambert

9.2

Punchy flavour for a lighter red — 7 years ago

Sarah

9.9

This is the definition of a big bold red! Fantastic flavor profile, very earthy, spicy. Absolutely love this! Got this from our wine club at Red Door — 7 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2005 vintage. Decanted and open for 3.5 hours before tasting. Intense and spicy richness in the frontal palate/gums. Harmonious the rest of the journey. Very very close to opening the door to the hall of mirrors and entering the "zone" of optimal drinking. Still pretty youthful and no rush to crush. At least two decades of gorgeous enjoyment ahead. Even the greatest wines change themselves in the looking glass. 5.17.23. — 3 years ago

Najib b

9.2

Yep. Yep. Yepppp. Opens like a barnyard door then settles into all sorts of mouthwatering notes that range from herbaceous, fruity, earthy and cherry cola notes. Mineral? Yeah. Acid? Just enough. Balanced. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Some funky smoky sulphidic nutty notes on the nose. The palate is in the leaner style - more savoury and mineral than fruit driven. A modern Australian Chardonnay showing earlier picking giving a more delicate light to medium weight palate with citric acid and good persistence. Will be visiting the Cellar Door in the Adelaide Hills at the end of the month and hopefully catch up with Delectable friend @Scott Rowe — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Nose of blackberry and mulberry together with Margaret River herbaceousness. Charred oak notes as an accompaniment not dominating. Medium weight palate with a degree of elegance. Touch of astringency. Could have done with more mid palate fruit. Drink remaining 3 bottles in next few years. Definitely the most palatial cellar door and grounds in Margaret River and a must visit in a trip to the region. No expense spared. — 6 years ago

Andrew Peek

9.7

Shut the front door!! — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The red fruits shine. They are bright, fresh with nice florals. Blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, blueberries and poached strawberries. Dark chocolate, mocha, caramel, vanilla, clove, cinnamon, tobacco with ash, dark rich soils, berry cola, steeped fruit tea, red fruit liqueur notes with fresh & withering dark & red florals.

The body is full with powdery, dusty, meaty, tarry and sticky tannins. The fruits are ripe, delicious and easy to drink now but, will benefit from 6-8 more years in bottle. Blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, blueberries and poached strawberries. Dark chocolate, mocha, caramel, vanilla, clove, cinnamon, dark spice with a little heat, tobacco with ash, dark rich soils, berry cola, steeped fruit tea, red fruit liqueur notes with fresh & withering dark & red florals. The acidity is round and beautiful. The long finish is ripe, juicy, well balanced, delicious and persist nicely.

Photos of; Rustenberg’s hillside vines, our tasting lounge, fermentation cellar with hanging stainless tanks so they can work the process with gravity, and Rustenberg’s Cellar Door and grounds. — 7 years ago