AHF

9.7

Dec 2023. Translucent red brick. Acetone blows off quickly, leaving a slightly oxidized nose of bright cherry, summer plums. Refreshing sweet sour palate, medium body. Love it slightly cooled. From half bottled in September 2003. Needed 20 years to mature and will last another 20. — 4 months ago

Jodi Suguitan

9.1

Creamy, yeasty, apple, and chalk. High acidity but so well balanced with some sweetness. — 4 years ago

Sylvain Rhainds

9.8

Un vin Hors norme! Mon meilleur HB et mon Meilleur 1982. Tout y etait. Fruit, matiere, finesse, structure, longueur et nez renversant. Il vient se classer avec les Clinet 90 et cheval Blanc 90 comme vin mytique a mes yeux! — 4 years ago

Justin Michel

9.8

Eerst kerst in Frankrijk dit was echt top top — 5 months ago

Shay A

9.5

Again, these are love it or hate it style wines, and I fall on the “love it” side every single time. This was part of a blind lineup for “Rhône style wines”. These wines are a bit difficult not to identify in a blind lineup due to their distinctive aromatics.

My note here is pretty similar to the 2011 I opened a year and a half ago. In true to Christophe Baron style, this is a savory packed punch wrapped in elegance. Aromatically, it’s a heady display of soy, teriyaki, green olive, peppercorn crusted smoked meats, currant and spicy rhubarb. At 10yrs, the palate is almost a dead ringer for high end northern Rhône Syrah. The savory/iron driven components from the nose continue but there is great acid followed by stems, herbs de Provence and lots of wildflowers/potpourri for a floral finish. I found the 2011 to have a lighter/more floral profile, but this one certainly has more stuffing and aging potential. This seems to just now be entering a peak drinking window.

Also in the lineup was a 2014 Hors Categorie (also from Christophe Baron), and I found the 2012 HP to taste younger, while the 2014 HC had a bit more heft in the mid-palate. Love both. — 2 years ago

Elizabeth Vecseri

9.2

Tart with a slight bitter earthiness, mineral flavor. Excellent chilled with hors d’oeuvres. — 4 years ago

John Bratincevic

9.0

NOSE: sherry and brandy-like. Distinct raisin, caramel. Orange (candied), lozenge, varnish, vanilla, baking spices (cinnamon, clove, etc), Rum-like marshmallow. Irish (pot still) whiskey. Laffy taffy.

TASTE: More acidity than expected, over the top raisin. Sulphur (not in a bad way, in a raisin way). Chilled apple cinnamon hibiscus tea with sugar and orange juice. Not my style - but it is made well. 90.

EDIT: someone mentioned roasted nuts and they are right. — 2 years ago

Byron Hewett

9.2

Needs to warm up a bit before drinking. Needs air too. Otherwise the oak is too prominent. Lovely fruit flavors tending towards the tropical. Tasty Pouilly-Fuisse! Enjoyed over 2 nights. 13% abv. — 4 years ago

Marc Garneau

9.6

2e bon vin de cette série de souper de pâtes noël. Doit goûter à nouveau, goût particulier du bon côté ! Assez doux et fruité, parfait pour des pâtes. Bu en bonne compagnie dans les fêtes. Plus dispendieux, dans cellier. — 4 years ago

Charlie Horsnell

9.3

Fresh natural wine. — 5 years ago