Jay Kline

9.1

Presented to me double-blind. The wine pours a deep purple color with an opaque core and a magenta rim with little to no variation; medium viscosity with significant staining of the tears and no signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of slightly funky mixed brambles, purple flowers, black olive, cures meat, inorganic earth and a gentle mix of cool and warm spices. It’s like an adolescent Frenchman at a delicatessen eating a muffuletta sandwich. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. The alcohol is medium.

Initial conclusions: this is a Syrah, Tempranillo, GSM-blend (with a heavy dose of Syrah), Merlot (or based blend), or maybe even a Malbec from France, Spain, the United States, Australia, Chile or Argentina. But I’m not getting pyrazines here, I’m getting rotundone. So I’m eliminating Bordeaux varieties. And, I’m getting so much rotundone that I’m eliminating Tempranillo too. Could this be a GSM? I don’t think so. The ABV seems more restrained and it’s hitting all the Syrah hallmarks from its cultural hearth so, I’m eliminating the New World. I’m taking this to France. It is practically screaming Northern Rhône and from a place that’s known for aromatics without the lavish use of oak (so Hermitage is out). It doesn’t have the feral qualities I generally associate with Cornas, nor the brilliant elegance I get from Côte Rôtie. So it comes down to Saint-Joseph or Croze-Hermitage and I like the former here. Final Conclusion: this is Syrah from France, from the Rhône, Saint-Joseph, from a warm, relatively recent vintage like 2020. How about that! A tasty fastball right down the middle of the plate! Drink now through 2037. — a day ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

Dark ruby color with purple highlights and a slight garnet rim. Savory aromas of wet earth, ripe black fruit and coffee. Ripe blackberry, black currant and blueberry lead the palate with additional hints of espresso, charcoal and Asian spices. Long and very earthy finish. Extremely concentrated, vibrant and well balanced. Settling in to its “sweet spot.” — 2 years ago

Roberto Carli

9.1

Starts out super aromatic, over the top intensity of stone fruit, white flowers, marble, just a touch of vanilla in the background. On the palate viscosity strikes first, with fruit stepping back, some phenolics bitterness and a mouth-coating finish — 5 years ago

Jared Graf

9.0

Raspberry crumble — 6 years ago

Zack Hall

9.2

Pretty fire — 7 years ago

Raj Harb

9.2

Disg 11/2018 — 7 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

Blend of Gros Manseng (80%) and Petit Manseng (20%). Medium golden color. Aromas of citrus, stone fruit, wet stones and white flowers. Flavors of lemon/lime, white peach, grapefruit and apricot fruit with a touch of honey. Firm mineral backbone comes to the forefront on the long and lingering (slightly tingly) finish. Vibrant acidity and a chalky texture. Quite complex and vibrant! Bone dry, medium-minus bodied and very refreshing. Solid value. — 5 months ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.3

2023 vintage. First Sauternes I tasted from this great vintage, and this is very good indeed. Château Lafon has a long history, and a part of its vineyards form an enclave within the vineyards of Château Yquem. In the 1922(!) edition of Cocks & Ferry it is considered to be "in the league of the best crus of Sauternes". It was bought from the Lafon family in the early 20th century by the Dufour family, whose 4th generation runs the estate these days. Honey, candied pineapple and flowers. Mouthwatering acidity keeps the sweetness in check. Good length too. Terrific value. — a year ago

Matthew Cohen

9.3

A difficult vintage. Made by a master. Rest In Peace Lionel.

Nose is swirling cherry and cherry licorice.

Palate is red and bLack cherries. Cherry cough syrup some bitterness

This peaked 7 years ago but still a lovely drink. — 4 years ago

Ezekiel James Hampton

9.4

One of the most uniques champagnes I’ve ever had. Baked cinnamon apple pie comes to mind when tasting. Highly recommended. — 6 years ago

Christoffer Immanuel

9.3

👌🏻Very natural — 6 years ago

HODL

9.1

Got from a local wine store that imports. Not many French wines around hwre. Had with Tomyere Cheese, humitas and pollo asado. It was a great lunch before a birthday. The cheese and wine went well together. Had a Chardonnay profile and color presentation with oak behind it. Really enjoyed it. — 7 years ago

Ned Gray Creed

9.5

Pure. From Mom’s vines. Dufour will be the next bottle of bubbles everyone wants. Coming to the Bay Area soon via Offshore Wines. — 7 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2022 vintage. Last tasted 3.27.25 (9.3). Decanted and tasted after 10 minutes. Medium/medium heavy body. Espresso and Ground Control to Major Tom earth notes in the nose. Flavors swayed by bigg blackberry (and corresponding acidity) on the back end. Feel like the overt BB acidity will dissipate/intigrate in the next two-three years but, for now, offers a refreshing Côte-Rôtie style with fruit, earth, body and versatile tannins. 12.7.25. — a year ago

Bill Morgan

9.0

Very soft on the palette with floral and some spice — a year ago

Joe Weinberger

9.0

Would have liked to see how it evolved over the night but just got one glass at a party. It was good, but I think with more time/air this would be even better. — 2 years ago

Momo Sa

9.2

Shower wine :-) — 5 years ago

Bobby Gilbane

9.3

Took some time to reveal itself. — 6 years ago

Rosie Johnson

9.3

2016 Puligny-Montrachet “Les Charmes”Raymond DuPont-Fahn. We purchased a bottle from Lionel Michilin private cellar. It was part of a private dinner hosted by him. This wine was featured on the menu. We loved it so much with the food they served we bought a case. When it was done with we looked for it on the internet and found this one — 7 years ago

Randi

9.0

R: 8.4, n: 7.2 — 7 years ago