Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days; consistent throughout. The NV “L’Enclume de Velours” pours, a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium plus viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of cassis, brambles, Fig Newtons, bacon fat, purple flowers, tobacco, ancho chili, gentle warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. Finishes long and savory. The texture is plush with tannins fine grained. You could drink now through most of next decade, but why wait? — 16 days ago

Nicolas Duchesneau

9.3

Couleur foncée, c’est frais, sur les fruits noirs, texture de velours, ca évolue, le café, tabac. On en redemande, le vin est extrêmement bien fait, savoureux, rien n’accrochait en ce qui me concerne — 3 years ago

Jol

8.9

Après 26 ans rappelle le velours de dubs mais assez faiblement — 3 years ago

Jol

9.5

Suave et velouté bel âge vraiment Du velours dirait Dubs — 6 months ago

Pierre Gourinchas

9.2

French expression: le petit Jesus en culotte de velours. Very smooth. At its peak. — 2 years ago

Lila Wade

9.3

I really enjoyed this. Would definitely buy again. — 3 years ago

Nicolas Duchesneau

9.1

Main de fer dans un gant de velours — 4 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Brought from my cellar to a friends house and paired with our dinner of burgers and bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin. Popped and poured; consumed within about 90 minutes. The 2017 Rafanelli Cabernet Sauvignon pours a deep ruby color with a translucent, but near opaque core and only a small sign of sediment. Viscosity is medium+ and there is moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is intense: expressive of cassis, black and red bramble fruit, tobacco, green pepper, baking spices, espresso, and dry earth. On the palate, the wine is dry and there is pretty significant structure, which I would place at medium+. The fruits and non-fruits are confirmed. Finish is long and comforting; like a warm blanket on a cool night. To my palate, the 2017 Cabernet is just entering its early drinking window. It's showing really well on the pop and pour with everything in deft balance. It's worth noting that this was consumed after enjoying a bottle of Christopher Tynan's "L'Enclume de Velours" and while that is a very nice wine in its own right, the Rafanelli really showed its pedigree. These should drink well over the next 10-15 years. — 2 years ago

Byron C Mayes

9.0

Bright beige gold. Very fine persistent bubbles. Inviting nose of honey and dried baked apple. Medium full palate is very smooth -- only medium acidity -- and yields dried honey, baked quince, guava, and lightly toasted brioche. Finish is moderately long. Definitely a Champagne for food rather than celebration (though you can celebrate with whatever you want). Bubbles and acidity will moderate most rich dishes -- scampi, risotto, etc. -- while supporting lighter fare like trout almandine or roasted fowl. Drink it when you buy it, as it has a slight aged feel to it. — 3 years ago

Jol

9.2

Velours en effet douceur et harmonie dubs a raison — 4 years ago