Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.7

This is so good and so young with ridiculous acidity. It’s too cold so the nose is very quiet. But wow what a palate. Insane acidity and huge dry fruit extract. Unreal density and concentration but so nimble. Apricot and citrus fruits galore and a minutes long finish. 9.6 with no aromas and barely any air. Let’s see where this goes. Nose now is all citrus jelly baby and lime flesh with other exotic citrus. Crazy complex. Palate is so juicy and so elegant. Amazing density. 9.6 to 9.7. So sapid with so much energy. Wow! — 2 months ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.5

Liquid jelly aromas of grapefruit and nectarine. Spice and gorgeous aromas. Floral. So complex. Just an insane nose. 9.5. or 9.6 nose. Very harmonious and lovely sweet pink grapefruit. Great acids. So complete. Long. Amazing. So harmonious and soothing. Amazing fruit. The extra skin contact gives this another dimension of complexity. — 2 years ago

Edward

9.0

2012 poured in February, 2022. It held up quite well for a 10 year old wine. Deep color, smooth tannins and good fruit on the palette. I think this wine will age well over the next 5-10 years. Well done. — 3 years ago

Ted

9.2

Same restaurant almost a year later. New vintage. Delicious. Ready to roll. — 7 months ago

with Jeni

Michael Drapkin

8.9

Fine bubbles. Medium Bodied. Pink Friut. Fermentation notes—toast, butter, tootsie roll. Mouth filling smoothly textured. Spicy. Smokey. — a year ago

Pooneet K

9.1

Surprisingly delicious at 10 years of age. Wonderful ripe Napa jelly fruit. Surprisingly good acid, the tannins have receded but still provide some structure. Rarely drink Napa merlot but this is compelling. Certainly somewhat biased by the fact that I worked on this vineyard in 2011. Nice pairing with skirt steak on the grill. — 3 years ago

Joshua Woods

9.5

Enjoying with a spicy creole dish. Tootsie roll of wine. — 8 months ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.3

Ruby to purple in the glass. Medium- to full-bodied, classically styled, primary crunchy cherry and blackberry fruit, this has a cool-climate feel with its bright and fresh aromatics, mouthwatering acidity and floral/spicy nuances to boot.
Lovely! — 8 months ago

Daron Watson

9.5

dark fruit, tobacco, cigar box, pencil shavings,

gobs of juicy fruit, bay leaf and bell pepper finish

over time fruit leans to roll ups, as well as including dried prunes and dates — 2 years ago

Shay A

9.2

My experience with South African red wines is limited, but I’ve enjoyed some Meerlust reds and a few other random bottles. I have to say, while this wasn’t a revelation, it is the best South African wine I’ve had to date.

This was a bottle opened blind for a few people. Oddly enough, there were similarities to this and a 2013 Almaviva…a burnt rubber/tire note on the nose alongside a vegetal/herbal pronounced note on the nose. Tangy/sour black cherries, red currant and red licorice too. Mostly red and black underripe fruit dominant. Even a bit of tar. This drinks like a chinon mixed with a lean vintage Bordeaux…the spice and vegetal flair is there next to the lightweight mid palate from a cooler Bordeaux vintage. A blend of five “noble varietals” in honor of Bordeaux, this was a unique wine that had people guessing from all over the world. After 1-2hrs of air from
bottle, it was balanced/integrated and ready to roll. I’d enjoy these sooner rather than later. — 3 years ago