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

Alan Weinberg

9.6

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

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Deep Ruby with aromas of dark fruits, blossom and sweet spice, spending 20 months in new French oak, grapes grown mostly in alluvial sandy souls. On the palate flavors of blackberry and currants with notes of licorice, cacao and spice, savory. Full fine tannins, long finish ending with fruit, spice and mineral character, slight alcohol presence. Tried about a year ago, aging well! — 5 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

Rob Brobst III

9.6

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

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Grapes sourced from 2 vineyards, high altitude sandy souls in Vera d’Alba & Renesio Incisa cru in Canale. Originally called "Nebbiolo bianco" due to the shape of the bunch and the size of the berries similar to Nebbiolo. Pale lemon with aromas of stone and citrus fruits with herb notes. On the palate flavors of lemon, apple and herb character. Medium finish, lively acidity balance, ending with creamy citrus and mineral character. Nice value! — 4 years ago

Cathy Corison

Owner/Winemaker Corison Winery

8.9

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

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

Shawn Thompson

9.3

A 2017 Sangratino from Australia. Pinot like with an earthy, stewed rhubarb, hint of fennel nose, sour cherry palate and a bit peppery on the initial approach. Cloudy, unfiltered. We had it chilled and paired it with a spicy prawn puttanesca pasta. — 5 months ago

President Obama

9.7

Outstanding. At Derek's. — 2 years ago

Jason Keefer

9.3

Hallowine! Dead souls, vampire blood, the netherworld. The standard sitch! — 4 years ago

Arecibo Message

9.1

Initially very candy-like! Then settled in to “whatever”. — 5 years ago

Rob Brobst III

9.6

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

great.lena

9.2

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

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Star bright straw gold. Inviting nose of quince and citrus rind. Medium-light palate leads with firm acidity introducing quince, citrus rind, and white pepper, all finishes up with smite stony acidity. A food wine to be sure — though some hearty souls may choose this as a “sipper” — and one that cries out for rich white wine fare. Potato crusted cod with white balsamic green beans was my choice. What will be yours? — 7 years ago