Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2023 (S) pours a deep ruby/purple with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe strawberry, Bing cherry, red and purple flowers, red rope licorice, rocky earth and cool spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. This vintage of Lapierre shows the warmth of the vintage and oozes generosity. In some ways, this reminds me of the 2015 vintage. Drink now through 2033+. — 3 months ago

I’m not quite as effusive as @Lyle Fass but this was indeed gorgeous - step above their straight Spatburgunder w/tons of personality. I was really taken w/perfumed nose and earth driven elements. Yeah there’s gobs of decadent cherry, raspberry & strawberry, but the brambly herbal spice elements are downright sexy. It’s all about complexity & generosity not to mention balance & elegance. — a year ago
The nose opens with waves of ripe black cherry, cassis, plum liqueur, and dark chocolate Beneath the opulence lies impressive complexity with hints of espresso, violets, and peppery spice emerge gradually with air. The palate is dense and supple, showing warmth and generosity. Plenty of nuance beneath the lavish fruit.
Possibly the best value for a St-Emilion GCC. Will need to seek out more. — 9 days ago

Wine stimulates our sense of smell and taste but in this case it also created a tidal wave of emotion. Through a tremendous act of generosity a dear friend shared this special bottle when he heard me lament I was not able to secure a bottle of wine to celebrate my mother’s 100 birthday. My friend stood the bottle up for several days. We decided it made sense to PnP. As you can see the cork was intact and the color of the wine defied its age. The excitement to take that first sniff was overwhelming for me. Old but alive scents wowed me. Lots of tobacco, leaves, leather and dried fruit. In the mouth those same scents were transferred to my palate thanks to a tsunami of acid. At about the one hour mark the wine quickly entered a death spiral. I cannot imagine another bottle of wine that will ever conjure up that amount of emotion and happiness. When I described my experience to my mom, a very broad smile came over her face. A blessing to share this experience with my mom and a privilege to taste a wine like this. — a year ago
Château de Rully – Clos La Bressande Monopole – Rully 1er Cru – 2022
Rully Premier Cru AOP – Côte Chalonnaise – Burgundy – France 🇫🇷
Overview
A Premier Cru 100% Chardonnay sourced from the monopole vineyard Clos La Bressande, offering full estate control from vineyard to bottle. The 2022 vintage brings slightly more ripeness and generosity while maintaining the hallmark precision and mineral expression of Rully.
Aromas & Flavors
Citrus zest, green apple, and ripe pear lead the profile, with a touch more fruit generosity compared to cooler vintages. Crushed stone minerality and a subtle floral lift add definition and elegance.
Mouthfeel
Light to medium-bodied with bright, refreshing acidity. The 2022 vintage shows a slightly rounder texture, yet remains precise and tension-driven. Clean, crisp, and lingering finish.
Food Pairings
Oysters, grilled fish, sushi, goat cheese, or herb-driven dishes. Also works beautifully with lighter cream-based sauces thanks to its added vintage generosity.
Verdict
A beautifully balanced Chardonnay that blends precision with a touch more approachability from the 2022 vintage. Mineral-driven, elegant, and highly drinkable, an elevated Burgundy experience without stretching the budget.
Did You Know?
A monopole vineyard is owned entirely by a single producer —rare in Burgundy—allowing complete control over viticulture and winemaking, often resulting in a highly consistent and expressive wine.
🍷 Personal Pick
Still firmly in my style, clean, mineral, and refined, but the 2022 adds a touch of charm and roundness that makes it even more versatile and immediately enjoyable. Cheers! — a month ago
Macchia – “Delicious” Barbera – 2023
Heaven’s Vines, Lodi – USA 🇺🇸
Overview
100% Barbera from Lodi. an Italian indigenous grape known for its naturally high acidity, juicy fruit, and casual drinkability. Macchia Winery, celebrated for producing over 20 distinct styles of Zinfandel, also showcases its versatility with Italian varieties. Consistently recognized with domestic and international awards, the winery brings Barbera into the spotlight with this vibrant estate bottling.
Aromas & Flavors
Ripe red cherries, plum, blackberry compote, and a touch of vanilla and sweet spice. Fresh, fruity, and forward with that classic Barbera brightness.
Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with lively acidity and a smooth, easygoing finish. Juicy fruit drives the palate, making it approachable and highly sip-worthy.
Food Pairings
Perfect with pizza, pasta with tomato-based sauces, grilled sausages, roasted vegetables, or charcuterie. A true “any day, any time” red.
Verdict
A fun, approachable, and fruit-driven Barbera with Macchia’s signature Lodi generosity. Casual enough for weeknight sipping yet polished enough to show the quality behind this estate-grown wine.
Did You Know?
Barbera is one of Italy’s most widely planted red grapes, cherished for its fresh acidity and versatility. In California, Lodi’s warm days and cool delta breezes help the variety express generous fruit while maintaining balance. — 6 months ago
Very shy nose, but the wine explodes on the palate with the generosity of a good Macon, but with real cut and complexity. Fresh, with a proper evolution across the palate. Citrus and complex minerality provide a long and crisp finish. — 3 years ago
Jan A
Peak, flirting with perfection. Others called out farm/barnyard notes, I thought it was more hansaplast plasters. Anyways, this was very Bordeaux for a napa wine and very napa for a Bordeaux blend. Catching the perfect balance between sweet napa generosity and cooler bdx notes. — 18 hours ago