Doug Powers

9.7

Iodine, smoke, classic well-aged Syrah aromas and flavors, this threw SO MUCH sediment that a decant WAS REQUIRED (and I wish I could post the picture of the sediment glop, it was equally as thick and dark as any great Vintage Porto I’ve ever seen after decanting). This is still youthful in so many ways, and still shows some big tannic structure, for now, it just needs food. Finish is super long, just an amazing “COTES DU RHONE” I purchased in 1986 when we lived in Brooklyn Heights, I was lucky enough to but TWO cases for $150/each, or $12.50/bottle, and I have 2 more bottles for sure!! Simply amazing juice!!!
OK, you guys KNOW I have some backstories here to tell — (1) This wine is a 250-case cuvée, which in this particular bottle’s case was made by the legendary Jacques Reynaud (who owned Rayas and the other properties, Chateau Pignan CdP and Fonsalette CdR, before tragically passing in 1997, when his nephew Emmanuel took over, and Emmanuel himemself just passed); (2) I used to buy Rayas and Pignan back in the 1980s in Brooklyn Heights at my neighborhood wine store, 10 to 15 year old vintages were available for $30 or so per bottle, but last ones I bought were 1988-1990 Pignan and Fonsalette in California; (3) my brother and I used to bring Rayas. (1974, 1976 and 1978) to restaurants in Napa (paying corkage) back in the late 1980s/early 1990s, where very few wait staff even knew what they were; and (4) I personally can no longer play with the big boys for younger vintages, but Rayas and Fonsalette “Cuvée Syrah” are truly collector wines, the latter in particular is built to last 30-50 years, I doubt many folks would ever age them that long, nor find them appealing at age 5/10/15, so most of the above information is likely of no use (last vintage I bought was 1989, but 2 or 3 bottle limit, and those weredrunk long ago). But damn, what a fantastic time capsule of a grape grown in the wrong place (southern France) making such an immortal wine!! Doug — 9 days ago

with Jim

Bob McDonald

9.5

Cassis and oak - the latter quite noticeable. From a ripe year where the fruit should be apparent but at the moment the oak dominates - mocha notes, but then again still has a huge future. Amazing what a solid core of self contained full body this has for 16 years of age, but still of profound intensity - dark chocolate and black currant. Will go on for literally decades - only have 2 left. Penfolds “Rewards of Patience “ say through to 2050! That is not as crazy as it sounds. This wine is close to immortal Next one in 10 years. — 2 years ago

Rob Brobst III

9.6

In the immortal words of DJ Khalid “Another One” 😊😊💯💯🍷🍷👍🏽👍🏽 Great juice. — 6 years ago

Spencer Dodd

9.0

In the immortal (changed) words of 2 chainz “two get but got me a few on”.

I’ve had this vintage from theirs recently and it is quite fun. People generally guessed langue Nebbiolo (which is a guess I liked) and Mencia which is also a pretty good guess. Tastes a little stony and green which I love along with slightly round fruit notes. And a fair amount of acidity. I really like this for what it is and would once again, buy it again. But also because it’s hard to blind. — 6 years ago

with Daniel, Jen and 1 other

Rob Brobst III

9.6

In the immortal words of Waylon Jennings “I’m a ramblin man....” — 6 years ago

Matt Perlman

9.8

This may not be the mostly purely delicious wine I’ve ever had (though it is up there) but it’s undoubtedly the most impressive. Vibrant purple in the glass, shockingly primary for 60 year old wine. Stunning fruit and structure. Clearly this is immortal — 7 years ago

Christian Fischer

9.5

This really hits the mark. Glad we are drinking something decent after a long day of meetings — 2 months ago

Henry Fuseler

9.0

7/2026. Bold with good fruit. Nice on the palate. Paired well with the dry aged ribeye at Halls Chophouse. — 2 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

8.9

Vintage 1989 | for me an obscure domaine, it caught my attention at an auction. I do love ripened Chenin Blanc, which sometimes seems immortal. So I thought: give it a try. The wine was sent from France. Lovely ripened colour, old gold. Shy smell, good taste that combines honey and bitters. The cuvée is ‘moelleux’ but very good balance with the acids. Paired good with rilettes and pheasant pâté. — 2 years ago

Alan Weinberg

9.6

en magnum, stunning wine that is immortal. — 3 years ago

Cathy Corison

Owner/Winemaker Corison Winery

8.9

Remarkably good and sound at 45! Years. Immortal. Quite tart. — 6 years ago

Jamie Irving

9.4

nothing like a giant bottle of incredible sake in tiny bowls to really get you ready for court — 6 years ago

great.lena

9.2

Soft, balanced, velvety, long aftertaste — 6 years ago

Kate Graham

8.9

Very flavourful — 7 years ago

Matthew Cohen

9.8

A purity.

Pristine.

Spice.

The most elegant nose.

Almost a haiku of a wine.

Needs an hour. Or a century. I don’t know.

Immortal.

Audrey Hepburn. The Mona Lisa. The Goldberg Variations. Pieta.

Fass selections.

— 2 months ago

Jay Kline

9.9

What a special treat to have an entire flight dedicated to the one and only Noël Verset. All three wines were opened prior to dinner and serially enjoyed over the course of a few hours. Stylistically, all three wines were similar and most importantly, sound! The 1998 pours a garnet color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with ripe and slightly desiccated, wild red bramble berries, dried purple flowers, cracked black pepper, black olive, garrigue, spiced meat, coffee, old leather bound books, exotic eastern spices and inorganic earth and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Bro…this bottle left me speechless. It has all of the things I could possibly want in Cornas plus, it has the staying power of Barry White. For me, this was the wine of the flight (and WOTN), overshadowing the more heralded 1999 and giving more than the relatively demure 1992. Drink now through (???). This has the characteristics of an immortal. — 6 months ago

President Obama

9.7

Outstanding. At Derek's. — 2 years ago

Daron Watson

9.8

Let’s face it…drinking any vintage of @domperignonofficial rosé is an incredible experience ~ and there are some serious arguments for 2008 to be the best ~ at the least I can tell you when I popped a cork the other night it was one of the most complete wines I drank all year ~ almost pointless to try and name all the fruits, flowers, herbal, savory and mineral aromatics & flavors ~ probably more important to mention the breadth of palate and gorgeous mousse balanced by focused acidity and energy w near immortal length 🍾🙌 — 3 years ago

Rob Brobst III

9.4

Boom! It’s worth the wait people.... in the immortal words of Marvin Gaye “What’s going on”😝😝😝😝😝 — 6 years ago

Joe Gillies

9.4

This winery was sold and rebranded to Immortal Estate. This was $55 and then increased (to 75 - 100). Amazing wine at $55 but loses its value around the $70 or so price range.
Silky smooth lush dark fruit, cocoa, and cigar flavors. Drinking very well now right.
The new winery I boycott on the outrageous price increases but these are very good at the right price point. — 7 years ago