Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.6

The nose immediately pulls you in. Just spellbinding. Insane florals and black cherry plus mid season red cherries and crazy spice. Cranberry bog and mashed blackberries as well. Just a stunning nose. 9.7. Palate starts off with some pokey acid but there is an engaging suppleness underneath and a gorgeous plush texture. Soft yet firm like a great mattress. Wow the black cherry on the nose is super elite. Textured, juicy and really coming into its own. The fruit on the palate is outrageous and top top notch. The nose gets herbal with loads of Swiss alpine love and unreal clarity. The texture is like a pillow and the fruit presentation on the palate is just next level. So silky like the most silky I have had less Brisset. Stunning wine. Curious to see where it goes but right now it’s blowing my mind. After 5 hours open the nose is buzzing with herbs, cherry skins and luscious cherry fruit that is all red. Glorious, Nose still a 9.7, but closer to a 9.8 now. Palate is silkier but also a bit closer, which these wines tend to do. Go through a closed phase like this and re-emerge. Let’s see what tomorrow brings. — 5 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2015 vintage. Medium-heavy body. Coffee grounds/mocha nose. Deep color. enuff grip and plenty of chonk. Ridiculous pricing for this vineyard/these grapes. Noticeably without the over the top, reductive flavors espoused by Napa's "finest" re: this vineyard the last decade+. Not exactly a declaration of independence but definitely passive-aggressive and non-compliant. Doubt you'll find it but if you do, worth a flirtatious comment and a wink. 06.18.25. — a year ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured. The 2012 pours a deep ruby, with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of blackberries, desiccated cherries, prune, pipe tobacco, new leather, purple flowers, wet rocks, and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and quite satisfying. The texture is luxurious. This drinking well now and should continue to do so for a least a few more years but why wait? — 2 years ago

Robertocheese

9.7

Tanning central! a special experiance this is not to be missed the flavour that perculated after 2 sips was spellbounding. Then i was smitten — 4 years ago

Benjamin Hickey

9.3

Grippy, good balance of texture and savoury — 4 years ago

Fernando Figueroa Sánchez

9.4

Frutos negros en sabor y olor. Regusto sabor higo y arándanos. Delicioso, solo eso sí, si no te agradan los vinos salados, este no es tu vino. Los vinos de la Ribera del Guadiana me recuerdan mi visita a Cáceres, la patria de Hernán Cortés, muy ácidos, ideal en un corte como Sirlon o Arrachera. Los vinos europeos no suelen ser tan salados, como los de México o Sudamérica pero éste es riquísimo.


Black fruits in flavor and smell. Incredible taste flavor figs and blueberries. Delicious, only that if you do not like salty wines, this is not your wine. The Ribera del Guadiana wines remind me of my visit to Cáceres, the homeland of Hernán Cortés, very acid, ideal in a cut like Sirlon or Arrachera. European wines are not usually as salty, like those in Mexico or South America but this one is delicious. — 7 years ago

Jose Menchero

9.0

Rico! Con mi amor! — 8 years ago

Bill Bender

9.6

Opened and decanted last Wednesday night and it was very clenched and unyielding. Disappointed, I re-corked and then audozed for a couple hours before Thursday night dinner. What a difference a day and some air makes! This is just mind blowing stuff from @Fraser McKinley when it’s given the proper treatment. Impossibly concentrated dark fruits, a creamy textured core, creosote, blood, iodine and mahogany mix and mesh and tantalize the palate. Get some of his stuff. When you do give it ample time and if you can’t do that give it the air it needs. You will reap the benefits. — 9 years ago

Daniel Bloom

9.5

First, let me say that the @plcb has NO idea what they’re doing re clearance sales. Maybe, no definitely, the greatest $21.99 bottle of wine I’ve ever come across. I only wish now, that there were more than six to buy.
Cedar, Cocoa, Dark Cherries, Forest Floor, on the nose, apparent upon opening and pouring a bit in a glass, from 2 ft. away. As it opened, and w Sunday gravy( thanks Marcella), those repeat plus purrr-fect cheek and lower lip acidity & tannins. Med. body, decently long finish( tough to distinguish, fore you’re into the next sip already)Mahogany colored, gorgeous.
I’m hoping for more insane clearance sales! I know this 1st bottle won’t last into tomorrow to see how it does overnight. The next one will have to do.
Thanks @finewineandgoodspirts. — 6 months ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Opened a few hours prior to service and enjoyed over the course of an hour. This bottle of the 1986 was re-corked at the chateau in 2011. The wine pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and some dried dark and red fruits: black currants, brambles, black plum, tobacco, pencil shavings, some dried flowers, green pepper, leather, some earth and a gentle mix of cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. This seemed evergreen and this bottle spending most of its life in the cellars of the chateau likely has a lot to do with that. Fabulous stuff. Drink now through 2046. — a year ago

David Kline

9.8

Incredible depth of color rim to rim without variation. Inky. Showing slight brick under strong light. Nose of rye toast, tobacco, turned earth, black cherry, oak bark, crumbly roses, dried lavender, and sage. Descriptors do not do justice to the seamless whole of the smells, which are sewn together with espresso and bay leaf, allspice and forest notes. Smooth and silky tannins slip over medium mouthfeel of dried mushroom and graphite, re-emerge as round textural tapestries, filled with candle smoke, dark, rich cherry and ripe black currants. A stunner that needed days of exposure to fully emerge. Enticing and exquisite.




#chateauhautbrion #hautbrion #premiergrandcruclassé #2009 #pessacléognan #graves #bordeaux #leftbankbordeaux #leftbank #grandcruclasséde1855 — 3 years ago

with Courtney

Paula Strebig

9.0

Bright, bing cherry color, copious legs on the swirl, subtle notes of chocolate covered cherries on the nose. Easy sipping, dry, cherry pits with hints of plum, smooth tannins on the finish. Pleasant wine with Mexican re-do dinner on the lanai with Tim and Kendra — 4 years ago

with Tim

JeremyC

9.3

Loved so much had to re buy which I nvr do. Got over the anger of seeing it at kl after bringing it back from FR. Accidentally prev gave a crappy rating but the wine is stellar, balanced complex and delicious. Actually just bought 3 more btls as KL is fire saling. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

This is the 2003 D.R. Stephens Premiere Valley IX Lot No. 045 Moose Valley Vineyard. Bottle number 23 of 60.

I picked it up yesterday in honor of Premiere Napa Valley happening this week. If you have never heard of this event, it’s a gathering of Napa producers, industry professionals and re-sellers bidding on lots of wine. Many of these lots are special bottling’s of a producers best barrel etc. Quite an event of; tasting, bidding and a little partying.

If you haven’t tried D.R. Stephens wines, I suggest you give them a strong consideration in acquiring. However, these wines are made to cellar. While you can drink them young, if you do, you will sell yourself short of the harmony and bliss they will give you properly aged and enjoyed at their peak. As delicious as this bottle is tonight, it hasn’t achieved its peak.

The nose reveals; beautiful, ripe, candied and floral fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum skin, baked strawberries and stewed blueberries & raspberries. Black licorice, layered baking spices; vanilla, clove, nutmeg and cinnamon, berry cola, warm spices, caramel, mocha, some black pepper, dry top soil, dry crushed limestone minerals, leather, graphite, notes of Provence herbs, bay leaf, dark rich turned earth with fresh red flowers, violets and lavender.

The body is rich and full. The tannin's still quite big but, well rounded. The structure and tension are about 60% up the top of bell curve. The length & balance are beautiful and will hit their peak in 7-8 more years. Gorgeous wine! Ripe, candied and floral fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum skin, baked strawberries and stewed blueberries & raspberries. Black licorice, steeped tea, layered baking spices; vanilla, clove, nutmeg and cinnamon, berry cola, warm spices, caramel, mocha, dark chocolate, some black pepper, dry top soil, dry crushed limestone minerals, dry clay, leather, graphite, notes of Provence herbs, bay leaf, dark rich turned earth with fresh red flowers, violets and lavender. The acidity is perfect. The long, elegant, gorgeously rich, we’ll balance finish is amazing and is everything you look for in a quality Napa Cabernet and then some.

Photos of; an auction shot from a past Napa Valley Premiere auction, tasting & dining area on the Estate (2nd home for owners - Don & Trish Stephens), another property shot complete with pond and shot of the Estate as you walk into beautiful property.

Thanks to @Jason and Jennie for exposing me to D.R. Stephens. — 7 years ago

with James and Christina

Freddy R. Troya

9.8

Do-Re-Mi – Unfiltered Amber Dry Qvevri Wine 2021 (Rkatsiteli)
Kakheti – Georgia 🇬🇪

Overview
Made from 100% Rkatsiteli, this unfiltered amber wine is crafted in traditional qvevri vessels with extended skin contact. The Do-Re-Mi winery embraces a natural, minimal-intervention approach, letting the grape and terroir speak for themselves. (Educational note: Leaving a wine unfiltered preserves texture, color, and flavor complexity — a hallmark of many natural amber wines in Georgia.)

Aromas & Flavors
Aromas of dried apricot, quince, and orange peel, lifted by chamomile and herbal tea notes. Underneath, hints of walnut, honey, and earthy spice add depth and rustic charm.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with firm tannins from skin contact. Textured and slightly cloudy due to being unfiltered, with lively acidity that keeps it balanced. The finish is long, savory, and grippy.

Food Pairings
Excellent with walnut-based Georgian dishes, lamb stew, or roasted eggplant. Also pairs well with Middle Eastern mezze, lentils, and aged cheeses.

Verdict
A bold, rustic amber Rkatsiteli — raw, textural, and deeply authentic. The 2021 vintage shows both freshness and grip, delivering an unpolished charm that speaks to Georgia’s ancient qvevri tradition. 🍷

Did You Know?
Rkatsiteli is Georgia’s most planted grape variety, prized for its naturally high acidity — making it ideal for both crisp whites and structured amber wines. — 9 months ago

Alan Weinberg

9.1

Wish I knew the base year and other relevant info re this bottle. I’ve had it a couple years. Lovely stuff. Since they claim to make 1911 bottles, what do they do with the rest if “more” is vinified? — 2 years ago

Wulf Losee

9.6

I’m going to leave my original review up, but if you want my final review of the this wine, scroll down to the bottom.

My original rating was 9.1– Pine and a hint of leather on the nose. Currents on the front of the palate. Medium tannic structure—but not much going on on the mid palate. Ends with a lot of tart high notes on the finish. There is a pleasant mineral astringency that lingers after one swallows. I rather like that. I’m going to let this sit for a half an hour to see if the tartness of the finish mellows out a bit. There’s not much here to open up though. this is a perfectly fine wine, but it’s not QC’s best. Slightly disappointed.

Update: after being left in a decanter for an hour and a half (I got distracted) the fruit on the front and the mineral finish faded, leaving the astringency at the back of the palate with tannins that were unable to balance the bitterness. This is a wine that’s best guzzled quickly [at least if you intend to drink the wine today— see my further comments below].

Updated rating, two days later: 9.6!
Oh my! Because this wine didn’t seem very exceptional, I put the remainder in an empty plastic water bottle. I squeezed out most of the air and I capped it and left it for two days. I certainly wasn’t expecting much when I drank it tonight, But it went from OK to fantastic! Bouquet was 100 percent leather. The fruit had faded on the front, but the tannins from front to back are now intriguingly complex. Lots of earth, and mineral notes all along the palate, and the finish is longer. Yummy!

The moral is don’t bother to decant this sucker. Open the bottle, at least 24 hours before you intend to drink it, and do the French thing of pouring off half a glass and then re-corking the bottle. Truly an amazing transformation!
— 3 years ago

Ian Hamel

9.4

A really gorgeous bouquet, with tertiary development but still “on point” with dark and red fruit, meatiness, flowers, etc. It smells like only Northern Rhone syrahs with some age can. The palate went through some phases - it started with lots of black olive, but more fruit and a balancing acidity re-emerged. Not huge and with a certain polish and restraint also. You always wonder what five more years would do, but really, it could be different but hardly better. Had with roast rack of venison with an allspice, clove and wild pepper wine sauce 2020/1/6. — 6 years ago

romo

9.1

When Kermit Lynch tells you to re-visit the islands, you do it. #vermentino #corsicanwine — 7 years ago

Erica Sarlo

9.3

Pure unsweetened Honest Tea flavor. Also Michelle Williams is in the back of this photo starring at our poor use of the flash. Jessi don’t look now. — 8 years ago

with Jessi