Ericsson

9.6

This bottle is bound to make any day that much better. It’s young but composed with ample elegance and perfect balance. A true gem, even at this age. — 2 months ago

Alexandre Pagliano

9.2

Dark rubi robe with bricking at the rim. Nose of asphalt, cedar, liquorice and asian spices. Very mineral, medium bodied, complex, good length, very polished tannins. Cork was not perfect and bottle was low shoulder. Still excellent which makes us think pristine bottles might taste even better. Great stuff. — 6 months ago

with Jose and Adriana

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

In 1877, Illario and Leopoldo Ruffino laid the foundations of their dream to make Italian wines from the heart of Tuscany. Medium Ruby red color with aromas of dark berry fruit and earthy spice, blend of 80% Sangiovese with rest Merlot and Cab Sauv. On the palate flavors of black cherry and plum with tobacco, pepper and earthy cedar notes. Full-bodied, well balanced soft drying tannins on a smooth medium+ finish. Grab some Italian food and enjoy the great value wine. Consistent quality, a Fav!! — 10 months ago

Carlos Gonzalez

9.6

Upon decant was frightened it was flawed. Heavy iodine and herbaceous must. Then…. 3 hrs later everything blew off and it reduced to a perfect Pauillac. Deep crimson claret light on its feet. Red fruits with a renovating acidity that was refreshing. Man what gorgeous wine time can make. — 3 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.4

Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (51%) and Shiraz (49%). Dark Ruby color with purple highlights. Aromas and flavors of cassis, blueberry, eucalyptus, black licorice, bergamot, dark chocolate, violets and blackberry. Hint of roasted nuts on the expansive finish. Wonderful purity of fruit and a very soft texture for such a young wine. Incredibly well balanced. This wine will only improve with age. Taking @Bob McDonald’s advice and investing in more of this beautiful wine and laying them down in the cellar for a decade. A great example of how Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah are fantastic blending partners. Thanking you so much Keith S for sharing this wonderful bottle with us. — 4 months ago

Jay Kline

9.5

First, the Gentaz and now, Verset?! Be still my beating heart! Noël Verset is a freaking legend. His first vintage was during the period of peace between the first and second world war which means, for most of his career, Cornas was a tough place to make a living making wine. It wasn’t until the 1990’s that things began to turn around and by that time, Noël was in his 70’s. Talk about perseverance. By the time he made this 1996 vintage, he had already started selling off some of his vineyards and by 2006, he was done making wine altogether. 

And this 1996? It is lighter in color than the other wines in the Cornas line-up; almost a pale garnet with a transparent core. The nose is just crazy. I just wanted to smell it for the rest of the night. Wild mixed berries, dried purple flowers, garrigue, tobacco, and coffee. This was a Cornas of elegance and thinner on the palate relative to the Allemand and Clape. Long finish. Divine with venison, umami bomb, potato and pearl onion. Drinking very well now and could hold for longer but why? — 8 months ago

Vanessa

9.2

The season for cocottes (in the northern hemisphere at least) is upon us. Starting the season off with a spinach soufflé, roasted zucchini, and a grilled burger, with sharp cheddar and mixed greens, on a brioche bun.
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👁 As for the wine...This is a red wine with a deep ruby hue.
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👃 This wine has a medium (+) intensity of developing aromas, including, primary notes of black cherry, blackberry, black cassis, plum, fig, licorice, and violets, secondary notes of cedar, nutmeg, vanilla, and tertiary notes of leather, earth, espresso, sweet tobacco.
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👄 Palate is dry. It has medium (+) acidity, medium (+) body, medium alcohol, high tannins, and medium (+) intensity of flavors consistent with the aromas on the nose. The finish is medium (+).
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This is a very good wine and may be consumed now but has potential for (and will improve with) further aging. It still has so much life in it and is not as expressive and integrated as I suspect it could be with more time.
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Chateau Clerc Milon, Grand Cru Classé, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France. Vintage 2014. ABV 13.5%. — 4 years ago

with Deked1

Joe DAscoli

9.5

Did not make it to 3rd hour of decant. Everyone drank it up quickly. Wine got better with each minute. — 4 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Very dark in colour - almost black. Lots of everything - ripeness, oak, blackberry, dark chocolate. The sort of wine I would have loved in my 20’s, not so much in my 70’s. Not for lovers of delicate wine - this is full throttle. This Australian producer is probably better known in the USA than Australia - like Mollydooker. A full bodied palate with M plus intensity and grainy tannins. Ranked No. 3 in Wine Spectators Top 100 wines of 2012. Not sure that extended cellaring will make a huge difference but will try to have the last one in early 2027. — 7 months ago

Chris Palmer

9.4

2012 vintage shared with us by Jim Deitch on Feb 2023 Florida trip — 2 years ago