Ron R

9.5

This producer is in a class of its own.
No signs of maturity. Pure notes of saddle leather and oak on the nose. A pure expression of Bdx with balance and power. Mid palate displays mature cherries and a hint of olives. Grainy tannins play second fiddle to prominent acidity.
My mental shortcut here is; GET SOME!
Thanks Rick. — 10 months ago

with Andrew and Rick

Scott Soren

9.6

Deep rich black pepper with dark fruit playing second fiddle with this aged beauty. Silky smooth tannins and long finish. Still has medium acidity and will age for some years to come. — 5 years ago

AJ Gubser

9.0

Lemon, lime, green apple, nutmeg, vanilla, popcorn, sea breeze. Lots of yellow and green fruit on the palate with ample acidity and minerality with the oak notes playing second fiddle but certainly adding complexity with notes of vanilla, kettle corn, and baking spices. There seems to be a bit of noticable volatile acidity here that's a bit off-putting, but still an enjoyable, complex wine overall. — 5 years ago

Philip Deibel

9.7

Wow! So, happy Father’s Day everyone. I was blinded on this tonight. When a bit over-chilled it screamed Northern Rhône Syrah to me. All I got was olive tapenade and an animal blood quality. As it warmed I had to take a step back. It began to come alive in a way that took me from the Rhône to Bordeaux to Howell Mountain cab franc. As it became a bit too warm it lead me to new world cab franc, circa 2014. After the reveal, and back with a properly chilled glass, holy moly. Still with that olive tapenade/salinity, dark fruit, coffee. But the shear concentration remaining in this after 16 years is incredible. There is a tannic backbone, but in a way that plays second-fiddle to the flavor profile. One could ruminate over a glass of this wine for hours. — 6 years ago

Scott Soren

9.4

Played second fiddle to a Dominus, but showed so well. Mourvèdre has been my personal grape of choice lately, and this beauty delivered. A stink bomb on the nose with mineral ore and macerated cherries on the pallet. This bad boy can go the distance and look forward to more of this in the future — 7 years ago

Aaron Tan

9.1

Third time having this, and as with previous run-ins, a solid bubble. Laser acidity but without any austerity. Rich nose of cream, apple, brioche, and some spice. Kinda like an apple pie. The palate brings about a wonderful freshness with citrusy focus, framed by gentle toasty and nutty notes. Salinity, while present, plays second fiddle to the fruit weight. Finishes quite dry (think they nailed the dosage here - 8 g/l) and long. Will probably benefit from cellaring. Another winner from the epic 08' vintage. — 7 years ago

Jakub Kalinowski

8.9

Starts off quite sweet on the nose with a ripe peaches, apricots, honeyed fruit, a floral hint but after a bit slatey minerality emerges, with herby, slatey, savoury side to it.
On the palate this is drier than on the nose. Juicy, fresh with good depth & purity. Very mineral with the white peach playing second fiddle. Ripe yet savoury. Brilliant balance.
A very nice example from the Mosel. — 4 years ago

Douglas Braun

9.0

2017 Vintage - from 3 vineyards in sta. Rita ( fiddle sticks , Sanford & Bendict ,Rio Vista ) real nice earthy , sassafras , cherry fruit , leather, toasty oak background - beautiful setting — 5 years ago

Kristin the Wine Girl

9.1

Nose of soft rosey strawberried Provençal rose. This is the elegance and life that Rose should taste like! Choice of tonight’s sushi wine courtesy of Terry. — 6 years ago

Ben Thom

9.0

Too intense on day one, really nice on day two. Pairs perfectly with a garbage salad. Mackenzie said it was a fiddle yesterday and a cello today. — 6 years ago

Aaron Tan

9.1

Seems a little simple, but its probably just really closed at the moment (especially out of magnum). Full on white florals on the nose, with juicy red apples and briny oysters. Really fruity on the palate with minerality playing second fiddle, although present. There's ample intensity here so I have no doubt this would develop well with cellaring. — 6 years ago

Aaron Tan

9.2

Most in the blind thought it was at least a 1er Chablis. Very good guess I would say. It's impressive, just a little oakey and could do with a little more precision. Extract was sufficient but perhaps a little less than one would expect from top Burgundian domaines. Not a bad thing because I really liked this wine. So fine, pure, and mineral. The nose is flinty, woody, and smokey with the stone fruits playing second fiddle. Juicy and salty on the palate. Finishes round and long. I can definitely see why Hanspeter calls this his "Coche". I think some age could make this a mind-blowing wine. Btw, this is Chasselas 😉 — 7 years ago

Aaron Tan

9.2

From magnum. Had it next to the stylistically similar Fourrier Gevrey VV, but this was the better wine for me - it had a little more depth and texture. Started of similarly reductive, but quickly opened up to scents of roses, intense red cherry, and smoky insence. The palate's velvety, mix of red and dark fruits, rich but offers lots of freshness with its crisp acidity. Minerality plays second fiddle at the moment, but is evident in the long spicy finish. I bet this was how it looked like when it was first bottled, so time can only make it better. 1er level for sure!

NB: From WH - This plot is located on the southern side of Griotte-Chambertin alongside the Claude Dugat plot and below the Duroché plot of Griottes-Chambertin. It is quite strange that this vineyard has been classified as village as it’s located so close to the Grand Crus. — 7 years ago

Ming L

9.2

A good choice to compare to the Art Series. More opulent in its richness yet at the same time more vibrant. Stone fruits plays 2nd fiddle to the bright citrus fruit. There is light toasty touch that I really like.
Beautiful Napa chard.
— 4 years ago

Andrew Schirmer

9.6

This is a find. Tiny appellation Saint-Pourçain smack in the middle of France, renowned in the Middle Ages but sort of forgotten today. 70% Chardonnay, 30% tressalier (Sacy). Honeysuckle nose, pear. Rich luxurious palate unfolds like velvet curtains all balanced out by coursing acidity & mineral notes. Judicious buttery oak notes play second fiddle supporting the fruit. Stone fruit. Wow. 😍 @Lyle Fass @Matthew Cohen — 4 years ago

with Alsu

Allison Hinson

9.1

Secret weapon. As the monopole owner of the ‘Clos Napoléon’, Pierre Gelin is the sole producer of this wine. The 1988 has aged BEAUTIFULLY. Mushroom, funk, dusty leather, play second fiddle to pure tart red fruit. Cranberries and tart raspberries. For the price, this is a STEAL. — 6 years ago

Aaron Rankin

9.3

I thought this might be a good partner to a simple homemade bolognese and it proved so. 4 hr decant and this is a silky beast. @Severn Goodwin‘s notes from 2018 apply. Lots of cedar, oak, and Napa mountain notes. Red fruits play third fiddle. Burley and beautiful. — 6 years ago

Jakub Kalinowski

9.4

Translucent ruby in the glass, surprisingly shy on the nose with some earthy herbs and a whiff of lavender. Only after a while faint remnants of dried fruit come through. The fun starts after the first sip. A beautiful mouthfeel with silky, fine-grained, dust like tannins paired with juicy, bright acidity make this shine. The fruit plays second fiddle, slowly emerging with dried cherries and strawberries on the mid palate. Long, layered, light yet complex and very, very elegant.
Benanti has got to be the most Burgundian Etna producer out there and his Serra della Contessa rarely disappoints.
A beautiful wine. — 7 years ago

Ken Venezio

9.1

Tried this a few months ago and the alcohol dominated. It's mellowed quite nicely and the alcohol takes a second fiddle to the smoother tannins. Nice fruit balance of a classic Sangiovese. — 7 years ago

Aaron Tan

9.0

So far, I've enjoyed everything I've tasted from this brewery - the nameworthy Chocolate Stout, the super smooth and nutty Hazelnut Brown Nectar, and perhaps my favourite so far, the orange wine-tasting Combat Wombat. The verdict is the same here. The Mocha Porter's a good beer.

Had a similar dark beer a couple of weeks ago with chocolate and coffee notes all over, but this felt much more nuanced in hindsight. The Kasteel was full on with the chocolate, but the Mocha Porter let's it play second fiddle, allowing the chocolate to play a supporting role to the more "beer-y" malty hoppy elements. Same can be said of the coffee notes. They basically highlight all that bitter sweet toasty elements. Finishes fresh and creamy. Would definitely drink this again! — 7 years ago