Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.4

Wow what a nose. Huge spice and violets and a feral quality. Glorious and expressive. Stunning. 9.6 nose. Smells ready to go which is in line with 2017 Walter. Also some dead leaves and tree bark. Palate is ripe, supple and juicy with great energy and freshness. Delicate yet intensely flavorful. So succulent. Red cherries galore and some cassis as well. Drink now with aplomb — a month ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.5

Sooo seems 2010 Northern Rhône is ready! After a stunning 2010 Jamet in recent weeks I was inspired to try ‘10 Allemand. A multi-hour decant has it simply rocking, wafting distinctive, captivating Allemand aromatics of deep dark fruit, olive tapenade, charcuterie, violets and a liquid rock minerality. It’s at the point where fresh primary fruit meets the cusp of secondary, tertiary character. The palate is silky, vibrant and mineral with its structured tannins beginning to soften. I wonder how 2010 Reynard would compare. But Chaillot, with air, is most certainly ready, but of course only entering its prime drinking window. Love these wines! — 3 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.3

Powerful and complex! Dark ruby color. Aromas of bramble berries, violets, lavender and fresh thyme. The palate is full of cherry/bramble berry/fig fruit with hints of smoked meat, baking spices, tobacco, black olives and tar. Tannins have softened beautifully. Concentrated and wonderfully balanced. Thanking Ron B. for this excellent bottle. — 4 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I compare the Heitz Napa to the Joseph Phelps Napa in many ways. I believe the Phelps is slightly less vintage dependent than Heitz. But, this 07 like the vintage in Napa, sensational.

This 2007 is peaking. Perfectly ripe & juicy; brambly blackberries, creamy black raspberries, black plum, dark cherries/kirsch, blueberries come on late and poached strawberries on the edges. The tannins are still dark and tarry. Rich, sweet, dark soils, mid & dark berry cola, anise, steeped black tea, dry tobacco, used leather, cedar/sandalwood, clove, nutmeg, some cinnamon & vanillin, moist, grey volcanic clay, dry crushed rocks, limestone, mid spice, hints of grilled meat, some fresh/dry herds, a tad of eucalyptus, stewy/tumble weed, fresh & withering dark, red, blue florals framed in violets, excellent round acidity, the scope of the finishes encompasses; balance for days, nice structure & tensioned, elegant, polished and lasts two minutes.

Photos all taken around their tasting room on Hwy 29 when their tasting was still the last free tasting in Napa. Still not over the family selling to a corporation that has no wine experience. — 2 months ago

Gor

9.4

Beautiful and supple with raspberry, menthol, violets and hint of tar. Nice mid palate with layered berry compote and herbal notes. Media+ finish. Singing — 3 months ago

Nick Brandon

8.9

Dark red-pink color throughout.
Shellfish and herbal perfume on the nose.
Dark chocolate on the palate. — 4 months ago

Adam Gäfvert

9.3

Compared to the 2005 Pichon Baron the 2006 Pichon Lalande is more elegant and etherial. More medium bodied. It has notes of flowers, herbs, delicate berries, black tea, salmiak, violets, cacao and crushed rock. Silky texture. — 4 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

Another great btl of this vintage showing pure flavors of black cherry, red berry fruits with graphite, mineral, smoked meats, licorice, spice, olive, pepper & violets. — 2 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Straight up my wheel house for Old World Syrah.

It is called Cote-Rotie or translation roasted slope for a reason.

The nose has beautifully, lightly floral fruits that are; blackberries, dark cherries, plum, black raspberries, poached strawberries and hues of blueberries. Some black pepper, steeped black tea, hues of roasted chestnuts, sandalwood, some dry tobacco, used leather, red cola, dark, rich earth, dark, red, blue withering florals framed in amazing violets.

The body is smooth as silk. The fruits are ripe & juicy; blackberries, dark cherries, plums for days, black raspberries, poached strawberries and hues of blueberries. Some black pepper, shades of lightly, grilled meats, steeped black tea, hues of roasted chestnuts, sandalwood, some dry tobacco, crushed rock powder, river stone, dry top soil, used leather, red cola, dark, rich earth, dark, red, blue withering florals framed in a. amazing field of violets. Rainfall acidity, soft structure & tension, well balanced and an elegant, beautiful, lush finish. Damn beautiful wine.

Sofia & I walked the La Landonne vineyard with Pierre and tasted in the cellar w/ Rene & Pierre.

Excellent with both Tri-tip’s…rubbed & marinated. — 2 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.5

Such a great vintage for Chave that is intense with complex aromas of meat, pepper, sweet & savory spices, licorice & violets. — 4 months ago